| We have all heard the term "carbon footprint" but | | | | average £300.00 per year |
| what does it mean and how can you reduce yours? | | | | 4. Putting a cover on your hot water tank will pay for |
| Wikipedia defines carbon foot print as "the carbon | | | | itself six months and could save around £30.00 |
| footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide | | | | per year. |
| attributable to the actions of an individual (which | | | | 5. Look for the label. When buying products that use |
| includes emissions through their energy use, but other | | | | energy - anything from light bulbs to fridge-freezers - |
| unforeseen emissions as well) over a period of one | | | | save money on your energy bills by looking for the |
| year. This definition underlies the personal carbon | | | | Energy Saving Recommended label or European |
| calculators. The term owes its origins to the idea that a | | | | energy label rating of A or higher. You could save up |
| footprint is what has been left behind as a result of the | | | | to £34.00 a year. |
| individual's activities. Carbon footprints can either | | | | 6. Keep twice as warm with double glazing Double |
| consider only direct emissions (typically from energy | | | | glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50 per cent |
| used in the home and in transport, including travel by | | | | and could cut your heating bill by around £110.00 |
| cars, airplanes, rail and other public transport), or can | | | | a year. |
| also include indirect emissions (including CO2 emissions | | | | 7. Waste less food Throwing away food |
| as a result of goods and services consumed). | | | | unnecessarily costs the average UK family |
| Reducing your CO2 emissions not only helps protect | | | | £420.00 a year, so this is a good place to look |
| the planet and you from climate change but also | | | | for savings. Planning your meals, making a shopping list |
| saves you money. How? By making your home more | | | | so you don't buy too much and being aware of what's |
| energy efficient you cut not only your consumption but | | | | in your fridge and store cupboard can all add up to |
| also your bills. | | | | money off your food bill. |
| 10 ways to save money by cutting your CO2 | | | | 8. Turn down the thermostat. By reducing the |
| 1. An energy saving light bulb reduces CO2 and will | | | | temperature by 1 degree you can save £49.00 |
| save you £60 over its life time. If you have 10 | | | | per year |
| lights in your house this will save you a massive | | | | 9. Setting your heating to turn off one hour before you |
| £600.00. Switch your lights off when you leave | | | | leave the house and come on half an hour before you |
| a room and save even more. | | | | get home could save you £51 a year. |
| 2. Insulate your loft and cavity walls (note to john, | | | | 10. Setting your heating to turn off one hour before you |
| research the govt grant) and save £180.00 | | | | leave the house and come on half an hour before you |
| every year. Most properties in the UK don't have the | | | | get home could save you £51 a year. |
| recommended amount if insulation. Loft insulation is | | | | That adds up to a massive £1225.00 saving |
| simple and you can even do it yourself. | | | | without including the £600.00 saving by using |
| 3. You could be making fewer trips to the pump and | | | | energy saving light bulbs. Let's not forget the reason |
| cutting pounds off your fuel bill if you choose a more | | | | we looked at this. Taking these steps will also have a |
| fuel efficient model when you're next buying a car. | | | | huge impact on your carbon footprint. Please give this |
| Visit the 'Top 10 fuel efficient cars' tool to see new | | | | some thought and act today. Global warming and |
| cars with the lowest CO2 emissions and you could | | | | climate change are fueled by man but it is within our |
| save up to three months' worth of fuel in a year or, on | | | | power to act now and make a real difference. |