When you think of saving the environment, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when you start thinking about the whole world. However, you can start playing your part from the comfort of your own home. There’s plenty of small actions you can take which will make a big difference. Not only can they reduce your carbon emissions, but also your day-to-day spending. So where do you start?
Switching Suppliers
It’s common to get stuck in a rut when it comes to energy suppliers. Once you’ve found one that does the job, you don’t want the hassle of switching. Right now, you may be spending too much on your bills without even realising. Finding a new supplier could save you money. This is thanks to new customer discounts and loyalty rewards. New suppliers have an eco-friendly focus so your energy can be carbon-friendly.
Water Meter
Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to rethink how you use water. The water industry itself doesn’t have the biggest impact, but how we use water at home. Mainly the energy used to heat up water. In older homes, the kitchen sink is a big culprit. Ovo Energy have released data which reveals that running the hot tap releases 157kg of carbon into the atmosphere per year. For newer homes, showers have the largest carbon footprint. Water meters can help you monitor how much you’re using. So, you can pay for what you’re actually using and be encouraged to rethink how much water you’re using.
Appliances
Let’s take a look at how you’re using appliances that rely on hot water. Your washing machine is responsible for roughly 118kg of carbon emissions per year, which was also revealed in the data published. Your dishwasher can use up to 13 litres of water per cycle. However, running your dirty dishes under a hot tap can use 9 times more than that. You need to be careful with how you use appliances. A simple tip to remember is to do full loads. Big washes less frequently can cut costs and energy. Try to use cooler settings and be sure to repair any leaks quickly.
Smart Meter
There are other ways you can monitor your energy usages at home and a smart meter is a great tool to help you with this. Similar to the water meter you can become more aware of your usage and save money throughout the year. It was revealed that 85% of smart meter households saved energy and money. However, simply installing meters won’t be enough. You need to be mindful of your energy usage and actively follow advice on how to reduce it.
Cutting down your carbon emissions doesn’t have to involve big, drastic, actions. Little changes can make a big difference. Do you have any tips for cutting your costs and carbon emissions?
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