Switch off- turn off appliances at the mains rather than leaving them on standby- think about turning WiFi off at the mains if you go away for a few nights, this could save you 60 CO2kg.
Save water- heating water is one of the most energy-intensive activities in our homes- opt for shorter showers, put a lid on your pans when cooking, and only heat the water you need in your kettle
Take a load off- only wash clothes when you have a full load, wash at 30 degrees and try to avoid tumble drying if you can, this could save you 15 CO2kg.
Drying clothes on a line can save you £30 off your yearly electricity bill and 65 CO2kg.
Replace light bulbs with LEDs and save 25 CO2kg.
Pump up your tyres - tyres under inflated by 14 psi can increase fuel consumption by 1 full tank per year
Energy
Turn down your thermostat- More than half of household energy is used for heating. Turning down your thermostat by 1 degree could save you around £80 a year and 345 CO2kg.
Keeping things running smoothly- appliances that don't have to fight limescale and other dirt use less energy to run. De-scaling your kettle, cleaning the filters in your washing appliances, bleeding your radiators could save you money and reduce your carbon footprint
Travel
Increase your steps to reduce your footprint - journeys under 1 mile could easily be walked. Walking is also good for your physical and mental health
Public Transport - Always explore public transport before deciding to drive
Don't idle your car - Idling your car not only wastes fuel but produces up to 150 balloons of exhaust emissions per minute. Avoid unnecessary emissions and break the habit
Lifestyle/ Consumption
Don't waste food - Food carries with it a large carbon footprint- from growing crops and rearing animals to transportation and disposal. Meal planning is a great way to reduce food waste as you know to buy only what you need and to be mindful of things that are going out of date. Our website has a host of advice on how to reduce food waste
Recycle all you can - While avoiding waste in the first place is the best thing to reduce your carbon footprint, recycling means materials can be repurposed and new ones don't have to be harvested. Check out our website for information on what can be recycled in Fareham.
Grow at home- fresh herbs bought at the supermarket often come in plastic packaging and often do not get used in full. Herbs can be grown very easily on a windowsill and provide you with a potential lifetime supply. It reduces waste, food miles and expenditure.
Keep your garden natural- keeping natural grass and native species not only encourages wildlife and pollinators but also improves drainage as well as welcoming nature into your home.
