Are you an energy warrior or wastrel?
In your everyday life you may not be aware of some of the negative effects of your choices and actions. In the morning, do you step out of bed into a heated bedroom, or do you grab your slippers and dressing gown to stay cosy?
In December 2009, 60 world leaders are due to speak at the Copenhagen climate summit to discuss climate change*. At this time individuals can also think about their personal contributions towards climate change and how these could be reduced.
While using heating is an essential part of staying warm during the winter months, you might realise that you could cope using a little less than you currently are. The benefits of this are at least three-fold: better for the environment, cheaper bills, and more chances to snuggle up on the settee.
Select businesses might have dedicated Green Committees; if you become part of this you may have suggested to your colleagues to turn off their monitors and computers when they’re not in use. You might have already thought about your electricity and gas consumption, even perhaps your business electricity. Remember to turn off lights when they are not needed
UK households spend 1.2 billion worth of electricity every year on refrigeration and freezing***; this number can be reduced by individuals. The recommendation is, if your freezer has over a centimeter of ice, take out your food and store it in a cold place while you defrost the freezer. This can let the freezer work more efficiently, which will result in being cheaper and more environmentally friendly.
Use your inner warrior at your home too; UK households spend 1.2 billion worth of electricity every year on refrigeration and freezing***, and this number can be reduced by individuals. If your freezer has over one centimeter of ice, take out your food and store it in a cold place while you defrost the freezer. This will let the appliance work more efficiently, which will in result being cheaper and more environmentally friendly.
*BBC News. (2009). Copenhagen climate summit: 60 world leaders to attend. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8373551.stm
**Big Green Switch. (2009). Take part in an energy examination. http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/intheworkplace/energy-examination/article-1211347-detail/article.html
***Big Green Switch. (2009). Defrost your freezer regularly to keep it running at top performance. http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/aroundthehome/Defrost-freezer-regularly-running-performance/article-934908-detail/article.html
Philip Youngwood is a freelancer who writes on a range of subjects he is passionate about. This includes easy to follow tips to help consumers get the best deals and business electricity.
