Electricity

Being smart with your electricity is a quick and easy way to become more sustainable as well as save you money.

• Remember to switch appliances off if you’re not using them, even leaving things on standby uses extra unnecessary energy.
• Switching your computer, TV and other items around your house off completely when you’re finished using them is a small change that can make a big difference to your consumption.
• Do your laundry at 30⁰C and having a full load, so when you use your washing machine it is running efficiently, and this can use up to 57% less energy.
• Other tips to save energy

Water

Water is one of our most precious resources - without it life would be impossible. Only 3% of the worlds water is drinkable. Reducing your water usage can make a big difference in reducing water scarcity and carbon emision and is really easy! Using water efficiently also means that we can reduce the amount of water resources being taken out of our rivers and aquifers, especially as demands are rising. This protects water resources and the wildlife that live and rely on them for their survival.

• Taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while you brush your teeth and filling a bowl to do your washing up, can all significantly reduce your consumption.
• Just turning your tap off while you brush your teeth can save up to 18 litres of water per brush!
• More water saving tips can be found from Severn Trent and Thames Water

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals are a group of 17 Goals which were set out in 2015 at the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

• Goal 6 of the SDGs is Clean Water and Sanitation - you can read more about this here.
• Goal 7 of the SDGs is Affordable and Clean Energy - you can read more about this here.

EPC Rating

Our homes and workplaces all consume a lot of energy and so contribute to the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Energy performance certificates (EPCs) are a rating scheme to summarise the energy efficiency of buildings and include suggestions on what you can do to make your home more energy-efficient, along with estimated costs for the changes and the potential savings you could make.

EPCs are needed whenever a property is built, sold or rented. An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years. You can find and learn about your homes EPC here.

Green Energy Suppliers

Green energy also known as renewable energy is generated from natural and renewable resources that can be replenished such as solar or wind power.

This production of energy is better for the environment than that produced by fossil fuels as it doesn’t produce harmful greenhouse gases. Due to an increased demand, green energy suppliers are no longer a niche concept. Most energy suppliers now offer green energy tariffs that offer some level of renewable energy.

Switching to green energy can have lots of benefits. It helps the environment, can save you money and can help contribute to future green initiatives. Learn more about green energy and compare green energy suppliers here.

Useful links and apps

CO2 Grid - Check the current carbon intensity of the energy grid in your area. Times when we are mostly using renewables is perfect for putting that washing machine on!

EcosiaLink opens in a new window - search the internet with the knowledge that you are helping to plant trees (can be used as an App or as your normal Search Engine)

NG ESO - allows yous to monitor the generation types that make up your electricity supply and see when the cleanest time to use your electricity will be. Download from the iTunes app store for iPhone and iPadLink opens in a new window.

ecobirmingham Link opens in a new window- They give the people of Birmingham the tools to take positive environmental action through a range of projects.

Act On Energy Link opens in a new window- encourages energy conservation by providing free and impartial advice to householders and small businesses in Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and surrounding local areas.

How to read your energy bilLink opens in a new windowl - Learn how to read and understand your energy bill.

Water Usage CalculatorLink opens in a new window -Find out how and where you use water in your home and discover easy ways to make savings.

En-Roads Climate Interactive ToolLink opens in a new window - An interactive tool to investigate how we might change policy globally to tackle climate change