Top Tips for Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Check for draughts
Install double glazing if you can
Draught proof strips can be applied round doors and windows
Fill gaps behind skirting boards, or where pipes come into the house
Make sure your letter box and keyhole have covers on them
Don’t forget your loft hatch
But you still need adequate ventilation, so don’t block air bricks, wall vents, extractor fans or trickle vents
For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Household lighting
Change to LED bulbs
Switch lights off when not in use
(This could save you around £20 a year on your annual energy bills)
Don’t leave computers, TVs etc on “sleep” mode – turn them off at the plug at the end of the day
(This could save you around £55 a year)
For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Improve your insulation
Think about loft, wall, window and floor insulation
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A quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home
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A loft should have at least 270mm of insulating materials
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And don’t forget to think about Insulating your water tank, pipes and radiators as well
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For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Replace your gas boiler
Heating your home by gas has a very high carbon footprint compared to using a renewable energy source
Other options are now available – most commonly air-source and ground-source heat pumps
For many of us, this is not an easy decision, but the government has recently introduced a Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which provides grants for people looking to move to lower carbon systems
To participate in this scheme you need to work through a certified installer. There are 10 of these within 14 miles of Market Harborough
For more information visit www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme or www.mcscertified.com/find-an-installer
Turn down your thermostat
If possible install individual thermostats in every room, or even on every radiator
If you have a hot water tank, install a thermostat and timer on that too
Turn radiators off in rooms that are not used every day
For rooms that are in use, aim for a temperature of between 15oC and 21oC
Just reducing the temperature by 1 degree may reduce your heating bill by £80 per year (according to USwitch)
For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or www.uswitch.com
Use energy efficient appliances
Buy the most energy efficient appliances you can afford
All new appliances now have an energy efficiency label
Ratings go from A to G, with A being the most efficient
If your appliances have them, use the Eco mode settings
For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or www.energylabel.org.uk
Install solar panels or solar heating for your water
Generating your own Solar Power could help you save money on your electricity bills, as well as contribute to reducing the carbon emissions of the UK’s electricity network
You will need expert advice to understand the costs and the payback time for your investment.
Try using the Solar Energy Calculator on the Energy Saving Trust website
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For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Heat the person not the room
Wear the right clothes – start with thermal underwear and wear several layers
If sitting for long periods, wear thermal socks and slippers, and cover your legs with a rug, duvet or sleeping bag
Use simple ‘gadgets’ to give extra warmth – hot water bottles, USB gloves, heated insoles, heatpads and footwarmers
Eat regularly and have at least one hot meal a day
For more information visit www.moneysavingexpert.com
Measure and monitor your energy use
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Install a Smart Meter
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Check your bills regulalrly and contact your supplier if you think you are being charged too much
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Compare your bills with your friends and neighbours
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More help and advice in our blogs
​As well as the Top Tips shown above, we have created a number of blogs relating to Household Energy, which give more detailed information. Just click on the links to read more.
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If you would like to suggest an item for a blog, or would like to write one yourself, just let us know.
hca@SustainableHarboroughCommunity.co.uk
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Financial help with Home Heating
The UK government will soon be introducing a new grant scheme to help households with limited income to cover the costs of insulation their homes and upgrading their heating systems. The scheme will be called ECO4, and is due to start in July 2022.
This article gives more information about what the scheme covers, who will be eligible, and how to to apply.
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If you would like to join Harborough Climate Action or ask us a question, or suggest something you would like to see on our website, just drop us an email
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