Save energy - cut carbon

At the moment energy = carbon - Every kilowatt of electricity we produce in the UK releases 470 grams CO2. There a lots of ways we can help save energy and save some money at the same time!  

The Government’s 4th Carbon Budget, published in December 2010, targets a 20% cut in direct domestic emissions by 2020. To reach even this modest target means making sure that 90% of all lofts and cavity walls are properly insulated and replacing 13 million boilers with high efficiency models. To make deeper cuts beyond 2020, measures will include wider use of heat pumps, a program to begin insulating the 8 million homes with solid walls, wider use of district heating, biomass boilers and energy efficient glazing.

Slightly less than half of the total domestic carbon footprint is indirect – produced by generating the electricity we use to run our tellies fridges and freezers. The 4th Carbon Budget projects a halving of CO₂ from electricity generation by 2020, making a big difference to carbon emissions, but there is huge scope for cutting our carbon footprint in our homes. Untangling the options isn't always easy. This list of handy energy saving tips is arranged by cost effectiveness – things that give the most effect for the least cost first.

Draughts are a thing of the past for most of us, but for anyone unfortunate enough to be living in an old house without double glazing, draughts are the main way heat gets lost. Heating a really draughty house is like trying to warm a room with an open door. It’s also one of the cheapest problems to fix. read more

Use heating sensibly - turn off the thermostat on radiators in rooms you don't use - heat less of your house!

Insulation may seem like old news but it surprising how many homes would benefit from upgrading to modern standards. Its probably one the most cost effective ways of reducing carbon footprints and saving money - and at the moment there are non-means tested grants to help cover the costs. read more

Use lower powered appliances/make sure you use them efficiently. read more

Replace your boiler/making sure systems are up to date read more

Genererate your own electricity - or maybe don't - this list is in order of cost effectiveness - producing electricity on a domestic level is a costly business - and this item is out of sequence - but only if you choose to spend money on home energy production - the evidence suggests it such a poor way of investing your money to cut down on carbon emissions that its better not to do it - there are far more effective ways of investing in renewables. read more

Solar Thermal - Supplements hot water heating with roof mounted solar heating. read more

Heat Pumps

- it seems like there's a touch of black magic about heat pumps - but they are not breaking the laws of physics - just harvesting low grade heat in a way that cuts carbon footprints dramatically - and now they come with a subsidy! - read more