Saving energy
Saving Energy Every Day- What Can I Do?
08/26/2010In terms of energy savings, the measures and targets set at the European level depend on everyone's participation. Every day, we can all change our habits to help reduce our overall energy consumption.
Thinking Green at Home
It is easy to reconcile convenience and energy savings every day. For instance:• Heating represents 65% of energy consumption in the home1. By switching it off when we open a window, not airing rooms for more than 5 minutes a day, closing the shutters, and turning down the heating at night or during the day if we're out, we can easily reduce heating-related energy spending.
has no impact on the energy consumption of our homes.
• To avoid overusing air-conditioning, shutters should be closed and blinds and curtains drawn during the summer and the house should be aired after dark. This keeps the house cool.
• Low-energy light bulbs consume 4-5 times less energy than halogen and standard light bulbs2. Of course, you need to remember to switch off the lights every time you leave a room!
• By taking showers rather than baths and setting the boiler to no more than 60°C, you use less energy to produce domestic hot water.
• Avoid waste in the kitchen. For example, boiling water in a covered pan or kettle requires
4 times less energy than boiling it in an uncovered pan. Similarly, washing the laundry at 40°C requires 25% less electricity than washing it at 60°C. If you choose the economy program on your dishwasher, you will use 45% less electricity per cycle.
Furthermore, if you can do without a tumble-dryer, you will save 15% on your overall annual electricity consumption3. If you put your freezer in an unheated room and wait until food is cold before refrigerating, these appliances will use less energy to keep food at the right temperature.
• Finally, it is better not to leave televisions, stereo systems and computers on standby- By switching them off you can save up to 10% of electricity!
How to Reduce and Reuse Waste
Since the 1960s, the quantity of waste produced in France per year has doubled and is now at 390 kg per year per person4! In 2007, the Environment Forum set a target of reducing domestic waste by 7% within 5 years5.
By managing waste more efficiently, each household can help save the energy used to manufacture packaging or treat domestic waste.
• By using fewer single-use products (wipes, paper dishes, disposable razors, and batteries) and not buying over-packaged goods, we produce less domestic waste. Similarly, it is better to use reusable plastic bags than to use the ordinary bags that are still handed out in some stores. Furthermore, eco refills available for some household products generate less waste than standard packaging.
• For households with a little available space, composting is a handy way to deal with organic waste, which accounts for one third of the weight of garbage cans6. If you use a corner of the garden to compost biodegradable waste (peelings and leftovers), after six months you will get compost, a natural fertilizer that you can use in your garden and on kitchen plants.
• If you sort household waste properly, you can optimize its recycling. Between 2005 and 2007, selective sorting by French people gave new life to 50% of newspapers, magazines and packaging7. For example, 35 recycled plastic water bottles can be used to make a fleece jacket8. In the PVC industry, recycled plastic is used to manufacture gutters, window frames, roofing membranes and flooring.
More Environmentally Friendly Travel
To improve energy efficiency in the transportation field, the most obvious solution for individuals means reducing car trips as much as possible. Using public transportation for long distances and bicycles or walking for short journeys is often quicker than travelling by car and it reduces the amount of energy energy spent.
A subway user uses 10 times less energy than a car driver for the same journey10.
By choosing these modes of travel, you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and keep fit!
If you do need to take your car, remember:
• To use the shortest itineraries and combine journeys.
• Not to overload the car.
• To switch off the engine if you stop for longer than 20 seconds.
• To start, brake, and drive slowly.
Keep your car serviced, check tire pressure regularly, and drive slowly and non-aggressively to save fuel.
By thinking green you can significantly reduce your fuel consumption and be a more environmentally friendly driver.
[1] Source: ADEME Espace éco-citoyen
[2] Source: ADEME Espace éco-citoyen
[3] Source: Figures quoted by ADEME Espace éco-citoyen
[4] Source: ADEME Espace éco-citoyen 2010
[5] Source: ADEME Espace éco-citoyen 2010
[6] Source: ADEME Espace éco-citoyen 2010
[7] Source: ADEME Espace éco-citoyen 2010
[8]Source: Source Plastics Europe
[9]Source Total , 2009
[10] Source: ADEME Espace éco-citoyen
[11] Source: ADEME Guide pratique La voiture
