As the climate emergency picks up pace, we’re seeing an increase in weather extremes and devastation across the globe. Many of us are looking for ways to reduce our energy usage and carbon footprint. In particular for those of us, in the UK, reducing energy usage is at the forefront of our minds, as unlike our European neighbours, the UK Government have failed to cap energy price and costs are predicted to hit an all-time high.
Many of us are looking for ways to lower bills by reigning in our gas and electricity usage. By knowing how much we can save our wallets, it’s also good to know how it’s saving the planet too. Energy use in our homes is the second largest contributor of CO2 only behind that of the transport industry.
Energy production contributes 95.8mt of CO2, or 21% of the UK’s total emissions.
– Uswitch
If we reduce energy usage around the home, we can help to reduce the need for burning fossil fuels – and that means a healthier future for our planet. If you haven’t already, you might want to switch to a renewable energy provider like Bulb or Octopus, this is a great and easy eco switch to make that will have a positive impact on the planet.
So, which items can you cut back on to save your wallet and planet the most?
Top Ten Home Appliance Energy Guzzlers:
| Appliance | Cost per week per household | Cost per year per household | Kgs of CO2 Emitted Each Week |
| Electric shower | £3.07 | £159.43 | 3.3836 |
| Gas hob | £2.76 | £143.28 | 3.0409 |
| Electric hob | £2.44 | £126.85 | 2.6920 |
| Built-in air con system | £2.05 | £106.40 | 2.2582 |
| Kettle | £1.47 | £76.51 | 1.6238 |
| Tumble dryer | £1.37 | £71.47 | 1.5167 |
| Plug-in electric heater | £0.95 | £49.41 | 1.0485 |
| Electric barbeque | £0.95 | £49.28 | 1.0458 |
| Hot tub | £0.89 | £46.16 | 0.9795 |
| Iron | £0.76 | £39.27 | 0.8334 |
How to use your appliances to reduce energy usage and CO2 around the home:
1. Try a shower timer
Use a shower timer to help you save water and money by cutting time off every shower. A four-minute shower could save an average household £70 a year on energy bills.
2. Boil the water before putting on the gas hob:
Rather than boiling water directly on the hob, it’s quicker and more energy-efficient to use the kettle to boil water and transfer it to a pan on the hob for steaming and boiling.
3. Use flat bottom pans on the electric hob
If you have an electric hob, use flat-bottomed pans – the fuller contact the pan has with the ring, the more evenly the heat will spread through it.
4. Avoid overfilling the kettle
If you’re using the kettle to boil water, avoid overfilling it – this could save £11 a year on your electricity bills.
5. Clean the tumble dryer filters
Clean tumble dryer filters regularly to make sure they’re free from fluff – this will help the machine operate more efficiently.
6. Cover your hot tub
If you’re lucky enough to have a pool or a hot tub, keep them covered when you’re not using them. Keeping the heat trapped underneath a cover means you’ll have to spend less energy heating them up. You might also want to invest in solar covers that heat the water.
7. Prepare before ironing
Minimise time spent ironing by ensuring it’s clean and ready to go before turning it on.
Needless to say, to tackle the climate crisis, we all have a role to play, from us as individuals to the government level, we need to change our habits, strategies, laws and policies. However, to avoid absolute eco-anxiety, it helps to focus on the positive things that you have the power to change. And remember that, small changes made by many can have a positive impact.
