Be Seen Go Green

Simple things we can all do to help global warming .The generally accepted theory is that global warming is caused by pollution, mainly from the by-products of our burning fossil fuels originally coal and now oil as well.

Global warming is the gradual increase in the air temperature at the earth’s surface which over the last century has radically increased causing big problems with the distinct possibility that sea levels may rise, leading to massive floods in certain low lying areas and islands.

The question is how can I help to reduce global warming, if you follow or at least consider few Eco tips that will help reduce the carbon footprint of your home, with the added benefit of cutting your power consumption and save you money.

1)   Use energy efficient lighting, these lights give a brighter light at a lower wattage therefore consuming less power meaning lower bills and the need to produce less power.

2)   When purchasing new appliances, take note of their energy rating that is clearly labelled, the more efficient the less power the use and lower bills.

3)  Turn off lights and appliances when you are not in the room, do not just walk out and leave the TV on. It’s not the number of appliances we own it’s the way we use them that makes your electric bills so high.

4)  Check the insulation, particularly the loft insulation in your house, there are several programs that will cover some of the cost of upgrading it. Poor insulation can cost up to an additional 15% on your bills.

5)  Air conditioning set the thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, most people are comfortable at that sort of temperature. Every degree you go below that can add about 8% to your bills.

6)  Make sure your external doors and windows are properly sealed, any gaps can add to your costs by letting out the cooled or warmed air you have paid for.

7) Keep out direct sunlight, which will not only save your carpets and furniture from fading but will significantly reduce the temperature in your house and save on air conditioning costs.

8) To keep out the cold make sure that the curtains fit properly, these in conjunction with double or triple glazing can cut your heating costs by a huge margin. This type of glazing also helps to keep cool air in during the hot weather.

9) Buy only recycled paper and paper products, this reduces the number of tress that need to be cut down. Trees are vital to the earth’s ecology as they turn the carbon dioxide we produce back into Life giving oxygen, so the fewer mature trees we need to harvest the better.

10) Recharge batteries for things like cell phones only when they need to be recharged. The overcharging of batteries, leaving appliances, TV’s, audio equipment etc, in some cases can consume up to 30% of the power they take when in use. If you multiply this by the number of electrical items you just leave on constant charge or on standby, it can amount to a considerable power wastage – all of which you have to pay for.