Adopt energy saving measures to reduce your carbon footprint

With almost every second person talking about carbon footprint, you must be actually wondering about the meaning of carbon footprint. Carbon footprint refers to the carbon dioxide emissions which we release as we go about using energy in our daily life.

We must be driving a vehicle, traveling through airplanes, using heating systems to stay warm at home or office or even cooking during our daily routine and each of these processes have known emit carbon dioxide for it is very much likely we use carbon based fuels such as petrol, diesel, gas, oil or coal and jet fuel in aviation.

Increasing emissions of carbon dioxide is known to trap the sun’s heat which makes earth warmer leading to global warming phenomenon. Apart from carbon dioxide, methane, yet another greenhouse effect is known to cause climate change. Hence, it is essential to curtail the emission of these gases by using energy efficiently. Your carbon footprint will equal to the amount of carbon dioxide released on your account of use of fuels and electricity.

As a user of fuels and electricity, you would utilizing them to heat up your home, use electronics and other appliances, use of vehicles from moving to one place to another and in case of air travel embarked upon which could be using jet fuel. The carbon emissions so released is accounted for tones while its measurement done on individual basis is far more effective understanding its impact on the environment.

As per figures released in 2008, UK produced more than 500 million tons of carbon dioxide of which 40% of which is released through individual consumption. If we further divide it on a per capita basis, this amounts to almost 9 tonnes per person.

The need of the hour is to make efficient use of energy ensuring the emissions are not harmful to the environment. With government and energy suppliers, UK initiatives, we, as users of energy are can insulate our home, switch over to energy efficient appliances, switch off electronic appliances when not in use and venturing out for travel using a vehicle when it is absolutely necessary.

Sticking to the domestic front, energy consumers are advised to take conscious efforts to save as much as energy possible. These conscious efforts include switching off appliances when not in use for keeping appliances on standby mode does consume some electric energy as well, this will lead us to save energy and reduce energy prices. At the same time they could try to

* Use dishwashers, washing machines and other appliances when they can operate at full capacity.

* Wear an extra layer of clothing and reduce their heating systems by a couple of degrees

* Depending upon the suitability of the property, go ahead with cavity insulation, loft insulation, draught proofing, glazing and so on.

* Switch energy suppliers, UK and move over to a better energy tariffs and deals.

* Avail of energy efficient condensing boilers and those which carry an A-rating for they are known truly power saving.

These measures are feasible through each one’s conscious efforts and initiatives. Moreover with government grants and aids along with expert advice offered by a team of experts through the energy suppliers, UK goes a long way in reducing carbon footprint and reducing your energy bills as well.