Can we make a difference ?

Fascinating article in yesterday's Mail on sunday magazine about CO2 levels in the context of global warming.

as an energy consultant, it's little things like this that reinforce my point of view and helps to put in context the work I do when assessing a property for an Energy Performance certificate (EPC).

I'll reprise some of the interesting bits...

If you are an average person, NOT thinking about energy use, then you would probably generate 12.9 tons of CO2 in a year. However some small changes to lifestyle and a bit of thinking could reduce that by more than half. Multiply that by 50 million or so for the whole of the UK, that's a staggering impact to emmission levels.

So what makes a difference?

Some obvious things, reduce your central heating thermostat by 1 degree C and you'll save .5kg per day. Commute by train, not by car and you will save 3.4Kg per day. Use a clothesline, not the tumble dryer and that's another 2.4Kg in the bank.

But what about the less obvious things. Hair-dryer - .03kg; tv on standby - .05kg; become vegetarian - 2.5 Kg per day; the ubiquitous energy saving lightbulbs - .3kg per day.

Lot's of little things make a difference, so I think the real message is think about lifestyle. It's all common sense, we all just have to apply it.

Surrey energy Consultants is an independant consultancy providing Energy Performance Certificates and energy advice in the Surrey and SW London areas. If you think we can help you please get in touch.