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What is a carbon footprint?

Our expert says...

Your friend is absolutely right; reducing your carbon footprint will help cut down your household’s energy consumption and lower your bills. It’s also great for the environment.

Here’s a quick guide to understanding your carbon footprint, how it’s calculated and how to improve it:

What is a carbon footprint?

Your carbon footprint is the amount of CO2 that enters the atmosphere because of the electricity and fuel you use and the products you buy. It’s measured in tonnes of CO2.

Your carbon footprint mostly depends on:

• how much energy you use to heat your home
• the electronics and appliances you use
• what kind of transport you use day-to-day
• how often you fly.

Calculate your carbon footprint

You can estimate your carbon footprint using the Energy Saving Trust’s online calculator, the carbon cutter. Just enter details about your home, your travel and your appliances, and the calculator will estimate how many tonnes of CO2 you produce each year.

Calculate your carbon footprint >>>

Reduce your carbon footprint

There are plenty of things you can do to reduce the amount of CO2 you produce. Some things are as simple as turning off your appliances when not in use, or walking to work instead of driving. Here are a few top tips:

1. Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying
2. Do your weekly shopping in a single trip
3. Fill your washing machine and dish washer with a full load – this will save you water, electricity and washing powder
4. Only boil as much water as needed
5. Unplug your mobile phone charger as soon as your phone’s battery is full.

You should also consider switching to a green energy tariff. If you sign up to one of these tariffs, although the energy you use at home won’t come directly from a wind farm or solar panel, your provider will supply the national grid with renewable energy, and the national grid will then supply your home. Most energy suppliers now offer some sort of green tariff, which cost no more than a standard dual fuel tariff.

Green energy tariffs can be a great way of helping offset some of the damage caused by your gas and electricity usage, while also being more environmentally friendly.

Reduce your energy bills

Reducing your carbon footprint is effectively reducing the amount of energy your household uses, so therefore will help lower your energy bills. There are a number of energy efficient improvements you can make to your house that will help reduce your carbon footprint and get your energy bills down:

1. Replace normal bulbs with energy saving light bulbs
2. Insulate your loft, walls and hot water tank
3. Defrost your fridge/freezer regularly
4. Replace your appliances with energy efficient appliances
5. Know how much energy your appliances are using and try to manage this

For more information on how to cut down your energy bills, download our free guide to energy efficiency.

Hope this helps you cut your carbon footprint and reduce your energy bills Adrienne!

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