5 Practical and Cost-Effective Ways to Reduce your Carbon Footprint
People often underestimate their efforts toward environmental conservation when they see that sustainable actions mean nothing in the big picture and are too complicated to resolve. Yet, to defeat global environmental issues like climate change sustainable efforts at the individual level are required.
Think of it the other way, your carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide that you emit per day. If adopting sustainable practices at the household level reduces more than a third of your carbon footprint then that would have a huge impact on your life and the surrounding environment. Broaden the picture and you will see a huge improvement in the air quality and lifestyle of the people of England if the entire population of the country cut a third of their carbon emissions.
In the UK, the average carbon footprint is 12 tonnes of CO2 per person per year. It is nowhere near the global average of 2 tonnes of CO2 per person per annum therefore, for the residents of the UK it is crucial to adopt a more sustainable way of living. When we talk about individual carbon footprint people often think that it is too small to make a huge impact but by adopting practical eco-friendly approaches at household levels, you can drastically reduce your carbon footprint and make a difference.
Here are the five most practical and economical ways through which you can reduce your carbon footprint simply by turning your household into a more energy-efficient one.
1. Air Source Heat Pumping: A Reliable Way to Heat Your Home with Minimal Carbon Emissions
During the winter season, people in the UK use various methods to heat their homes. For this purpose, they use various methods such as gas heating, electrical heating, and oil-based heating methods.
How does it work? Of all these methods, the air source heat pumps are of considerable importance. This is because by using the Air Source Heat Pumps you can reduce your carbon footprint to large extent. In this heating method, the heat absorbed from the outside is transmitted to indoor space via the wet central heating system.
For every 3-4 units of energy produced from air source heating only 1-2 units of electricity is consumed therefore, you can increase the energy efficiency of your home by using this heating method. Moreover, to achieve net-zero by 2050, the UK government has planned to install 19 million (ASHP) in new buildings.
2. Install Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System for Household Electricity Generation
Another convenient method to cut your carbon emissions is by installing solar energy panels for household electricity production. Across the UK, energy from the sun is the most common renewable energy source to produce electricity for buildings. The most notable advantage of Solar PV cells is that they leave no impact on the environment as far as harmful greenhouse emissions are concerned.
Moreover, the Solar PV system generates a tremendous amount of electricity in summer reducing the cost of billing. With an average-sized 3.6kWp, you can generate 3.6 kW of power annually which is sufficient enough to meet the electricity demands of a normal household.
Therefore, by installing this renewable electricity production source, you can reduce your carbon footprint and can play an active individual role in coping with global warming and climate change.
3. Carbon Capture
To reduce your carbon emissions, many scientists believe that carbon sequestration has the maximum potential.
Carbon capture primarily is the process through which carbon dioxide is prevented from entering the atmosphere by capturing and storing it physically or chemically. You can mitigate the impacts of global warming by capturing carbon dioxide for a long period.
As an individual, you can capture carbon by planting a tree in your backyard. As a tree grows it stores carbon from the atmosphere in the biomass of its trunk. Ultimately, your planted tree will prevent carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere and above it, its shading can also reduce your home energy needs.
Therefore, by planting trees you can reduce your carbon footprint and can also play a proactive role in the long run in achieving sustainable development in your community.
4. Install Solar Thermal System
During the cold summer days, heating water requires a lot of energy and space and sometimes the results are not even satisfactory. However, by installing the solar thermal system you can heat water using direct solar energy rather than the energy produced from conventional fuels.
How does it work? A typical solar thermal consists of solar panels that are usually placed on the rooftop. Heat energy from the sun falls on the plates and then a fluid a pumped through the heated panels that increases its temperature. Eventually, the fluid flows into the large tank where there the heated water is stored.
As far as energy efficiency is concerned, a solar thermal requires 60% less energy to heat water than electric heating. This process of water heating is also emission-free therefore, by installing the solar thermal system you can reduce your carbon footprint too much extent.
5. Buy Energy Efficient Appliances
Buying energy-efficient home electrical appliances can make your home eco-friendlier. According to a report if you have the most energy-efficient appliances in your home then you can save around 336 euros per year.
Similarly, having an energy problem efficient tumble dryer can save you 106 euros per year. You can reduce your carbon footprint by using such electrical appliances at your home that are energy efficient.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, achieving net zero by 2050 seems pretty challenging, especially in a world where global cooperation is required to reduce the disastrous impacts of climate change. You can play an active role in this noble cause by adopting a sustainable way of life and the best place to begin this noble journey is your household. By following the energy-efficient practical ways mentioned above you can drastically reduce your carbon dependency and include all systems in one combination i.e. hybrid system produces the best potential results.