ENERGY SAVING CHALLENGE
PART 2 - CONCLUSIONS
Advice on day to day energy-saving ideas
We’ve become accustomed to the quick fix to our problems, but the quick fix isn’t necessarily the right one when it comes to the environment. We live in a very fast-paced world, often taking the easiest or fastest option, and living in such a way that allows us to stay as comfortable as possible. Don’t get me wrong, we aren’t about to turn back time and magically change the way we live, but we can make more considered decisions in our day to days live that will allow us to make change happen.
Over the lent period I discovered my own touch points and did a lot of research to help me understand and identify small changes to help reduce my energy usage for the better, here is what I discovered.
MY findings
Cycle, walk or public transport
Make the swap where possible. No carbon emissions are required, good for your health both mentally and physically, plus it’s extra time outside.
Advice on economical/eco-friendly driving
The above isn’t always going to be possible, so if your car is your only option what can you do to drive as economically and eco-friendly as possible? I found this article by the AA titled, ‘How to drive economically’, and it was really interesting.
“50 AA staff took part in an eco-driving trial a few years ago, driving normally for a week and then following the AA’s advice for the second week, they saved an average of 10% on their weekly fuel bills. The best saved an impressive 33%.”
Why should we regularly service our cars?
I bought my car for its economical driving and am learning the more I look after it the better it will perform. When I read the source link below, I really started to understand the importance of car maintenance from both an economic and environmental perspective.
I mentioned in part 1 I felt my new car wasn’t driving as economically as it could be, so I set my no 1 supporter the task of exploring the problem. We’ve now since changed the oil and fuel filter, as well as the oil itself, plus added an engine cleaner when I filled up with fuel. I’ve already noticed I’m getting more miles to the gallon and should have reduced any dirty exhaust fumes.
Turn off your devices at the plug or ideally unplug them all together?
Believe it or not, you’re still using energy, all be bit it a very small amount when your electrical plugs are switched off. Taken from source 1, “If they are left plugged in, even when turned off completely, they will continue to use a small amount of energy. Individually the amount of energy consumed is minuscule, but collectively – across a whole nation – a fair bit of power is consumed in this way, so we should unplug if possible.”
Another interesting article I wanted to share was source 2, ‘Eight appliances that will drain bills if you don't switch them off by the plug’. It’s definitely worth a read, we could all do with saving a bit of money, as well as the planet at the same time.
Results from washing under the cold setting
It’s so easy to get used to doing things a certain way, but have a browse around your washing machine or dishwasher and see if there is an eco setting. I recently discovered the super eco setting, which is cold water for 45 minutes. The results have been no different to washing the items at 30 or 40 degrees. In fact, fewer stains are able to set in if your wash using colder temperatures than if you were to wash on higher ones. There is definitely a time for a hotter wash, particularly with really dirty clothes to help kill off any bad bacteria, but for general washes, it’s such an easy switch.
Why the dishwasher and not the sink?
Fun fact, using a dishwasher is more energy-efficient than doing the washing up by hand. “In terms of water, dishwashers are now much more efficient, and when used to wash a full 12 place setting, use three or four times less water than washing the same amount by hand”.
Energy required for your cup of tea or coffee
The biggest thing I’ve learnt here is only to boil the amount of water required for a single cup of tea or coffee. The less water there is to boil the less energy you use, meaning no wasted energy.
“Tea drinkers boil DOUBLE the amount of water needed to make a brew and waste the energy required to heat 70 million litres of water a DAY - enough to fill 28 Olympic swimming pools.” - WOW!!!
Shortening the length of your shower
I do love a shower, and I also love a bath, however, according to this source below, “For every minute in the shower, we use 10 litres of water, so shorter showers can make a big difference - using less energy, reducing carbon emissions” .
Another quick and easy fix that’s good for the water bill and better for the planet.
Dig out your hot water bottle
It’s so easy to turn the central heating on, it’s also super easy to grab an extra jumper and your hot water bottle. I’ve actually found the direct heat to be far nicer when I’m feeling chilly. It warms me up straight away and I’ve avoided wasting any heating energy, it’s a win-win!
Quick hot meals and still be tasty meals
As promised, recipes that have fewer ingredients and generally don’t take long to cook. Jamies 5 ingredients is full of quick, healthy and easy meals, plus they’re super yummy and such a variety.
Get outside
I love to exercise and be outside. Not only does it make me feel great, but the only energy required is my own. Walking, cycling, running, playing sport, photography, gardening, reading whatever it is that you enjoy, let it be something that gets you outside enjoying our beautiful planet and everything it has to offer.
There are many many things we can all do to reduce our energy usage. Here is a quick survey by WWF that will help you identify how environmentally friendly you are, as well as help you see what you do that requires energy - https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/
I’ve identified many ways I can make improvements by doing this challenge and I know there will be many more to come. I’m by no means perfect, however, I endeavour to continue on this journey, finding energy-saving and more eco-friendly solutions to aid my day-to-day life.