Over 60% of our household carbon dioxide emissions are due to the fossil fuels (such as natural gas) which we burn to heat our homes. By taking a number of sensible steps we can reduce the heat we use, save money on our bills and substantially reduce our emissons.
Turn down your thermostat
Turning down your thermostat by just 1°C could cut your carbon dioxide emissions by over 5% as well as saving you around £30 per year. Do you really need the house to be quite that hot?
Turn down your hot water temperature
Most boilers allow you to adjust the temperature of your hot water. By turning this down you can save on the gas you use and reduce your carbon emissions, whilst still enjoying comfortably hot water.
Only heat your house when you're there
There's nothing wrong with a nice warm house, so long as there's someone there to enjoy it! There's no point in having your heating for long periods whilst you're out - it's a waste of money and contributes to climate change.
Avoid wasting hot water
Don't leave the hot tap running when washing up or cleaning your teeth - your boiler has to work harder and emits more carbon dioxide. Also, by showering instead of taking a bath you use around 50% less energy.
Use an insulation jacket for your boiler tank
By fitting an insulating jacket at least 75mm (3") thick to your boiler tank you can significantly reduce the heat wasted in your house and save £10-£15 per year on your heating bill.
Get your boiler serviced regularly
Regularly servicing your boiler ensures that it is operating as efficiently as possible. This is turn reduces the cost of your heating and helps prevent you making unecessary contributions to climate change.
Plug leaks around doors and windows
Gaps around doors and windows let energy escape outside where it's just wasted. It's very simple to plug gaps with draft proofing or a simple sealant. It gets rid of draughts and saves money and energy.
Choose the appropriate size pans for cooking
A lot of the energy you use when cooking on the hob goes into heating up the pan. If you use a bigger pan than is necessary for the dish you're making it uses more energy unnecessarily. Think before you cook!
Make use of natural warmth from sunlight
Sunlight is a wonderful source of natural heat as well as light. If it's sunny outside then open curtains and blinds to let the maximum energy into the room (but close them at night to keep the warmth in!)
Don't use patio heaters
Yes perhaps they look nice and yes sometimes the weather isn't just warm enough to sit outside, but patio heaters are a waste of energy and contribute to climate change. Avoid buying and using them if at all possible.
Click here for a related set of practical advice on how you can reduce the electricity you use around your home.
Save your 20%
By following the energy saving advice on this website it should be fairly straightforward to save 20% of your current energy use. Achieving this simple target will dramatically cut your carbon emissions, help prevent climate change and save you up to £250 per year on household bills.
The Energy Saving Trust provides a range of invaluable advice on energy saving. You can also call their free phone helpline on 0800 512 012 and do a simple "home energy check".
