12. Home + Pets

For individuals, home is where most ‘green’ changes can be made immediately. 27% of all carbon emissions are from energy used in homes, and there are a number of ways of reducing CO2 emissions, simple and effective in the small and the much bigger picture of climate change.

Energy and lighting at home

Change all your light bulbs to ‘low energy’.

It really does make a huge saving – of CO2, and your money! (see Energy section).

Turn Off Standby

Surprisingly, energy consumption from electronic equipment left on standby in UK households is equivalent to 4 million tonnes of CO2 annually (see Energy section, page 18).

Televisions

10 million TVs are disposed of each year.

Before you replace yours, consider donating your old TV to The Furniture Scheme, or advertise it by joining Freecycle (See Recycling section) LCD TVs last longer and consume less energy than plasma TVs.

When it comes to replacing, look for the energy rateing and always choose an A grade, which aren’t more expensive than energy guzzling appliances! (see Energy section)

CLEAN GREEN POWER

See the Energy section for solar power, wind turbines installers, greener options for your energy supplier, and energy-saving measures.

HANDY TIPS FOR THE HOME

Lighting

Keep light bulbs clean – dirty bulbs can reduce lighting efficiency by up to 50%.

Cleaning

Try this as a non-chemical all purpose cleaner; 50ml vinegar. 50ml bicarbonate of soda 50ml cloudy ammonia, & your choice of essential oil. Mix ingredients in 4 litres of hot water for a safe solution for all areas that can be rinsed off with water. Put the solution in a simple pump action spray bottle or pour straight on to your cleaning cloth. Shake the mixture well before use. Avoid inhaling ammonia vapour.

Disinfectant

Pure Tea Tree oil is a natural & effective disinfectant.

Windows

Clean with a solution of 125ml of white vinegar and 1 litre of water. Rub dry to avoid streaking.

Line your curtains with thermal linings, to keep heat in and lessen energy bills.

Green Cleaning Services

T: 01743 461274.

House cleaners who try to use environmentally friendly products, like vinegar and bicarb.

Kitchen

Avoid using aluminium foil when cooking. If you do use it put the dull side outermost,

and then recycle it, or buy recycled foil W: www.ecotopia.co.uk

Avoid using plastic bags and plastic cling wraps, and disposable paper and cloths in the kitchen.

Choose an appliance to suit the job –if you are making toast, use the toaster not the grill.

Put lids on saucepans, and use a steamer – this will reduce cooking time needed.

Use an automatic switch off jug-kettle and only heat as much water as you need. Select a kettle that has its element at the bottom rather than half way up - this allows you to boil smaller amounts of water.

Laundry

Avoid using strong detergents, use an eco friendly product that does not pollute the water such as Ecover, or Clearspring, which are plant based and leave no trace in the environment.

Try washing clothes at 30oC rather than 60oC, and fill the machine.

Tumble driers waste loads of energy. Use a washing line instead.

For hardcore greenies, laundry balls and soap nuts offer an alternative to washing powders. Probably not for heavily soiled clothing, but fine for lightly soiled clothes. Will work at 30o, and the nuts can be composted afterwards.

Because there is no residue, fewer rinses are required. From Lakeland:

W: www.naturalcollection.co.uk

or W: www.ecozone.co.uk

Pulleymaid - locally made and sourced clothes airer - best alternative to energy guzzling tumble dryer - T. 01743 249 039.  www.pulleymaid.com

Water Meters

Installing a water meter means you only pay for the water actually used, so the less you use – the less you pay. Using less water inside and in the garden saves energy used for treatment and delivery. They have been automatically included in all homes built since 1989 but where possible, Severn Trent will fit one free of charge.

Severn Trent Water

T: 0845 7090 646 W: www.stwater.co.uk

Bathroom

Have showers instead of baths (but NOT a power shower - these consume more water and energy). Try to reduce the length of time you spend in the shower - cutting down by 2 mins will save 60 litres of water.

Toilet flushing accounts for almost as much of our domestic use as bathing - around 25%. Reduce this waste of clean water by putting a plastic container or HIPPO / ‘Save a flush’ bag into the cistern. These are available from Severn Trent

T: 0845 603 4413

W: www.stwater.co.ul/saveaflush

T: 0800 783 444 for pipe leaks.

Remember this rhyme:

“if its yellow let it mellow,

if it’s brown flush it down!”

Divert your ‘grey’ bathroom water to water your garden. Kits available from Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) (See p16) and DIY stores.

DIY

Keep green in mind and use ECO paints and varnishes and strippers. (House painting is recognised as a cancer-risk career).

W: www.auroorganic.co.uk

W: www.ecomerchant.co.uk

(see Building section)

Use natural materials for furniture, carpets and rugs, avoid unnecessary chemical treatments of these. Wool carpets with good underlay give greater insulation, and a better and quieter flooring option than wood.

Fit reflective panels behind your radiators to conserve heat.

Furniture

Some of the best-known high-street furniture brands STILL use rainforest timber.

To be sure you are avoiding this, look out for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo. Some furniture outlets have an eco-friendly range.

Local Makers

David Colwell Design

Trannon Studio, LlawrYGlyn,

Caersws, Powys SY17 5RU.

T: 01686 430 313

W: www.trannon.com

Well designed and made eco furniture.

(See Recycling Section p48 for Furniture Schemes, and Home Essentials.)

Jewellery:-  The mining and  making of jewellery is often a polluting and exploitative business.  Chose  jewellery from fair trade shops, or ask searching questions of jewellers and shops.

The Organic Flower Company

Jubilee House, Kinnerley, Shropshire SY10 8DF

T: 01691 683866

W: www.tofc.co.uk

Supply flowers which are registered organic or in conversion to organic status. Also offer UK grown flowers, hence no air miles. Fair trade roses ensure fair prices to Kenyan farmers.

Pets

Avoid flea and tick repellents containing DDVP, these are nerve toxins which can build up and poison wildlife and pets alike. Try a flea comb, vacuum carpets regularly, or use citrus extracts such as D-limonene and linalool – natural alternatives. Use biodegradable plastic bags for your dog poo. Use sawmill scrap or waste from wheat or corn for cat litter, less harmful to cat and environment than clay cat litter.

Oakwood Veterinary Centre,

Whittington, Oswestry.

T: 01691 679699

Homeopathic vet.

A website about water saving:-   www.headsabovewater.co.uk