31 March 2020

Did you know the average commuter produces 35kg of CO2 per month from using public transport to get to work every day?

2:00 min

1 Save electricity: switch off instead of stand-by

When not connected to our colleagues and work via electronic devices, it’s likely that other household appliances will be used more heavily at this time, especially our TVs! Did you know that the automatic “standby mode” will continue to consume power? Be sure to always switch off devices such as computers and televisions completely.

The additional time at home also presents an opportunity to ensure your house is as energy efficient as possible. Switch traditional light bulbs to LED which are more energy efficient and cost effective. If you can order the equipment online, why not upgrade to dimmer switch technology and learn how to install them using “How-to” guides on YouTube.

2 Save water

Did you know that the average bath uses 80 litres of water? Taking a shower uses -depending on the shower head – around 15 litres per minute. Have a shower instead – but don’t stay in too long!

Always fully load household appliances: do not use the washing machine, dishwasher or tumble dryer until they are full. The less often the appliances are running, the less water is needed.

And finally – turn off running water whenever you can, especially when washing food and brushing your teeth. And if you use a bowl, the water can then be re-used to water the flowers.

3 Save heating costs

As we are all stuck inside the house, we should all be opening windows to get some form of fresh air through your home.

However – heat escapes unused through windows that are constantly open so make sure you shut them afterwards to keep the warmth in and ensure thermostats are adjusted to reflect the change in temperature to reduce heating bills. Set a timer so that you can monitor how long your heating is on per day, and if it’s really cold, wear an extra jumper!

This could also be the time to think about setting up smart thermostats in your home or bringing in new technology while you have extra time to research.

4 Proper recycling

Did you know two thirds of our household waste ends up in landfill forever! Now is the time to be more conscious about recycling. Make sure you use this time at home to dispose of all waste correctly. And try to minimise paper usage wherever you can.

5 Make your working station healthy and productive

We can make our new working environment more agreeable by sitting in a room with natural light. Plants are known to soak up some indoor pollutants (volatile organic compounds) so by moving a flower or plant next to your desk you will not only be surrounded by greenery, but by cleaner air.

Finally, be sure to stand up and walk around every 15-20 minutes.