Climate change is a very real issue. Since scientific recordings detecting ozone thinning from excessive use of CFS gases contained in various home devices from the 1970’s the larger issue of carbon emissions has only become common knowledge in the last decade.
Something so vital to our very existence on the planet was perhaps so great, contradicting the evidence seemed to some as a means of shelving the concern that the global community faced.
Despite this, more and more people are lobbying governments to take action and making personal decisions as a means of improving the way we treat our environment.
Climate change researcher, Steven Fisackerly, has made studies into the impact household energy consumption has on global temperatures. He makes a compelling case that on something so devastating to sustained life on earth, the opportunity to make small amendments at home can have great consequences if played out across a national scale.
Here are 4 ways to reduce energy consumption at home.
Change all light sources to LED
Incandescent light bulbs contribute to 30% of energy consumption in an average home, recent studies conclude.
Considering the heat alone from a 60w lightbulb can fry an egg in 20 minutes demonstrates the energy emitted from a single light source is extremely high.
Thankfully the range and availability of LED light bulbs across retailers provides a simple solution to this issue. Available with various color temperatures, incandescent light bulbs should be discontinued from any household.
Insulate windows and loft
During winter months, temperatures across the UK have been known to plummet to minus figures. Considering the rising energy costs and the ever more demand for keeping homes warm, insulating the home is perhaps the most important thing one can do to keep warm.
It is a given that most homes have some form of roof insulation. However, extending insulating measures inside walls like applying double glazing can reduce the usage of radiators by 6 hours per day. Annual savings of £3k in an average household can cover the expense of double glazing.
Low setting for boiler
Water boilers are an essential aspect of all households. In light of our reliance and high usage they are prone to disrepair regularly.
For this reason and counter intuitively, keeping a boiler operating all day but at a low setting of 14 degrees can greatly benefit its life span and maintain a healthy level of accumulative heat.
The temptation to burst the temperature up during cold snaps in winter months can exhaust components and creates a high stress on energy provision. Power stations employ strategies to cater for these surges. By altering one’s treatment of boilers, we can save power plants energy creation by 40% per quarter annum. It also saves the cost of repair and replacements.
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