Saving energy at home
Saving energy in the home
You might be surprised to know that energy use in our homes
produces 28% of the UK's carbon emissions.
During the winter, most people are concerned about keeping warm
and being able to pay their fuel bills. However, you may not know
how much energy is wasted in the home, nor what you can do to save
energy all year round by making your home more
energy-efficient.
Even a few simple changes can save you money by reducing
the energy you use or need in the first place. Here are
a few ideas to get you started...
- Contact the Perth & Kinross Energy
Efficiency Advice Project for free impartial advice and
information to householders on: fuel debt, paying for fuel,
domestic energy, damp, condensation and grants for
insulation. Tel 01738 476183.
- For more information and specific energy saving tips for your
home, check out the website of the Dundee-based Save
Cash and Reduce Fuel (SCARF) initiative or contact
the Energy Savings
Trust (Tel 0845 727 7200) for availability of other grants
and advice on energy efficient homes and cars
- Buy green power - many power companies supply
electricity from clean, renewable sources
- Cut down on using the car - walk, cycle or use
public transport whenever you can, or if you have to use the car,
turn off the engine if you are going to be sitting for more than
two minutes. Air travel uses large amounts of fuel, so avoid this
if at all possible
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - reduce and reuse your
waste and use the Council's new waste collection and recycling
facilities. If you would like more information on how to reduce
your waste, call 01738 476476, or check out the green Perthshire's
section on waste
- Don't buy peat or plants grown in peat - it is
irreplaceable, and when dug up or drained, releases more carbon
into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change
- Don't burn household rubbish, as this can
release toxic chemicals and carbon dioxide
- Avoid aerosol sprays - even some alternatives
to CFC-based sprays are powerful greenhouse gases. Buy
pump-action sprays instead
- Buy organic and 'in-season' fruit and
vegetables, and local foods to minimise
chemical pollution and reduce transport impacts ('food miles')
Saving energy at school
- Visit the
Eco-schools Info Centre for more information on how schools
can involve parents, pupils and teachers in saving
energy
