We’re all living in an age where our carbon footprint – the total greenhouse gas emissions we responsible for – is becoming increasingly alarming. Businesses, councils and responsible citizens everywhere are all trying to reduce their carbon footprint, and the impact that they have on the environment as a result. If you’re looking to reduce your home’s carbon footprint, you’re in luck – there are a number of quick and ways you can do just this, without breaking the bank.
1.Switch to LED lightbulbs
Switching to LED lights is one of the quickest and easiest ways to drop your home’s carbon footprints. LED ceiling lights use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, which waste up to 90% of their energy as heat. They’re a lot sturdier than traditional bulbs too, lasting up to 25 times as long, which means that you’re not just saving carbon footprint in terms of energy usage, you’re saving in terms of manufacturing and shipping costs, too. In fact, one LED bulb can save up to 0.6 tonnes of CO2 over the course of its lifetime. Given that the bulbs will pay for themselves after just a few months, LED bulbs are well worth investing in.
2.Filter your own water
Bottled water is a terrible thing as far as the environment is concerned. The carbon footprint attached to the plastic used to hold the water is far larger than you might think, and the bottles which don’t end up in recycling cause untold problems when wind up as landfill or litter. A pitcher with a build-in water filter can help provide the high quality drinking water you’re looking for, at a fraction of the carbon footprint.
3.Buy local produce
There are many benefits to buying local produce, from supporting the local economy to simply finding the most competitive prices. The biggest benefit that comes with buying locally, however, is the significantly reduced carbon footprint. The carbon footprint of your home includes the transportation cost of getting the produce from its country of origin into its packaging and onto your doorstep. That’s a lot of transport when you think about it – especially if you’re a fan of exotic foods. If you can source your food locally, or better yet, source it yourself, you’re doing the environment a world of good.
4.Dig out your gardening tools
One way you can cut down on your carbon footprint is to dig out your gardening tools and get to planting some seeds. If your garden is looking a little worse for wear, planting a tree or two can help reduce your carbon footprint more than you might think. If you’re a little short on garden space, why not consider an allotment? The vegetables you can plant there will drop your carbon footprint while providing a modest reduction to your monthly shopping bill.
5.Pay attention to energy efficiency ratings on your home appliances
All home appliances in the UK come with energy efficiency ratings which let you quickly gauge how energy efficient each appliance is. While you’re out and about, shopping for new gadgets, these ratings will help you choose the best appliances which will save both money on your bills and damage to the environment. Whatever the energy efficiency rating of your appliance, make sure you remember to turn it off once you’re done using it. Appliances on sleep or low power mode still draw current, which means that they’re still adding to your energy bill. When you’re done using whatever you’re using, simply turn it off.