What Can I Do To Support Net Zero At Home?
Climate change affects us all, we all have a part to play in reducing emissions in order to reach net zero. Burning fossil fuels to produce electricity is the greatest source of CO2 emissions in the UK, so whilst it is vital that we move away from fossil fuels and towards 100% renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, we can all take simple steps to reduce emissions today such as:
- Switching to energy-saving light bulbs and making sure lights are switched off when not needed – this can help you to save around £50 a year
- Put a jumper on! Lowering your heating by just 1 degree can save you around £75 a year
- Wash clothes at a lower temperature – switch to a 30 degrees wash and dry your clothes naturally instead of using the tumble dryer – this will save you around £35 a year
- Turn your appliances off fully when not in use, don’t just leave them on standby – this will save you around £30 a year…just remember to leave the fridge and freezer on!
- Reducing your time in the shower by just 2 minutes each time will help you to save around £15 a year
- Don’t fill the kettle – boil only what you need and this will save you up to £6 a year
- Walk more! Save £’s and lbs by leaving the car at home for short trips – a two-mile round trip to the shops on foot will save you around £0.50 in petrol and burn approx 115 calories, doing that once a week each year will save you £26 and burn almost 6000 calories!
The above steps alone can add up to almost £250 a year in savings and will all help to reduce your emissions without making any significant changes to your lifestyle.
There are a number of further measures that you can consider at home which will involve some research and investment but will make a greater impact on your bills and emissions over time, these include:
Insulation
From simple steps such as using draught excluders and insulating radiators and pipes through to roof and loft insulation and replacing old doors and windows with double or triple glazed alternatives, you can significantly reduce heat loss and lower your bills.
Heating
If it’s time to change your existing boiler, now might be the right time to switch to a low or zero-carbon emission heating system. As part of the UK Government’s plan to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, fossil fuel heating systems will be phased out over time, starting with a ban on gas and oil boilers in new homes from 2025. Switching to a low carbon alternative, such as a heat pump, will help you to cut emissions and save money, and government support may be available to help you cover the initial cost.
Energy Efficient Appliances
No-one likes it when the washing machine or the fridge packs in and needs to be replaced, however when buying a new one you can save yourself money in the long run and lower your emissions if you look out for the energy rating labels on appliances and choose the most efficient (rated ‘A’).
Generating Electricity
Electricity generated at home can be used to power electrical appliances, or even an electric vehicle, reducing the amount of electricity you import and pay for from energy providers. This could help you save money on your electricity bills as well as reducing carbon emissions. There are different types of technology available for this, each with its own considerations for you to weigh up but they include solar panels, wind turbines and micro combined heat & power.