Going green for the whole family

May 8 2008

YOU don’t have to make radical changes to your lifestyle to be more green. Here are some simple ways you can make a difference and possibly save cash too.

AT HOME

- Consider turning the washing machine down from 40oC to 30oC when doing laundry.

- Think about having a new boiler system installed to save energy. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that if everyone with gas central heating installed a new condensing boiler we’d save more than 13 million tonnes of CO2 a year, as much as the annual emissions of more than two million homes.

- Switch to energy saving light bulbs. They last much longer and they should save on your electricity bills.

- Turn off lighting, heating and air conditioning in rooms you are not using.

- Opt for energy efficient white goods like fridges and washing machines as they consume less energy.

- Try swapping your tumble drier for a clothes horse. The average drier consumes up to 4KwH of electricity each time you put a load in.

- Seal up gaps and drafts around doors and windows to reduce heat loss. Heating uses more energy than anything else in a home as it is the source of 60 to 70 per cent of most homes’ CO2 emissions.

- Put lids on pots when you’re cooking as it uses less energy.

- Using a steamer or a segmented pan means you can cook several types of vegetables on one ring.

- Descale electric kettles regularly as limescale makes your kettle work harder which uses more energy.

- Make sure the door seals on your fridge fit tightly.

SHOPPING FOR FOOD

- Try buying some food from a farmers market. Apart from supporting local producers you will also keep your food miles and packaging waste to a minimum.

- Consider having a vegan or vegetarian meal at least once a week. Vegans claims the meat industry contributes to global warming because soil is eroded by some cattle farming.

- Reuse plastic bags for shopping or buy reuseable bags. Millions of plastic bags end up in landfill each year.

OFF TO WORK

- Consider using a car sharing scheme when making your way to work or better still get a lift with a friend.

- Try washing the car yourself rather than going to a car wash. You will use a lot less water as opposed to getting the car jet sprayed at a car wash.

- Leave the car at home for at least one day a week and take public transport.

WHILE AT WORK

- Switch your computer off when you’re away from your desk as it saves energy.

- Remember to recycle paper while at work.

- Think twice about whether or not all emails need to be printed. It could save on waste.