Reduce your consumption
The first step to reducing your carbon foot print is to reduce the amount of energy you are using. Below are steps to get you there:
Insulate your home
Insulating your home stops heat being lost during the winter through the walls and roof of your home. It can also help keep your house cool in the summer. This will help save you save up to £300 a year for a 3 bedroom house. Don’t forget to plug those draughts around doors, windows, keyholes and letter boxes. The energy saving trust has some great information to help you insulate your home.
Switch to energy saving lights
If you have any old lights left in your house, swap them out to some lovely energy saving bulbs. Lighting can be responsible for 15% of energy consumption in your house.
Buy energy efficient appliances and electrical goods
If you are in the market for a new electrical item, make sure it is as efficient as you can. Look for A rated appliances and low wattage. This will reduce your day to day carbon of running of your home.
Switch off
Don’t forget the good old switch it off. Off means no energy being consumed. Turning off always saves energy. Do this when you leave a room and at the end of the day. To make it easier invest in remote control sockets or some smart lighting.
Turn down your thermostat
Get cozy with jumpers and blankets and turn down your thermostat. For every 1 degree can save you 8% on your heating consumption. But if you have insulated your house well you will need your heating even less!
Switch to a renewable energy tariff
Change your energy provider so that you are funding renewable energy. Make sure you choose carefully as not all renewable energy tariffs fund renewable energy. Read my post on renewable energy tariffs.
Add renewable energy to your home
Once you have reduced the amount you are consuming you can think about adding renewable energy to your home. There are many ways you can do this from solar panels to air source heat pumps.