My Greener Home

There’s never been a better time focus on your carbon footprint. News out this week demonstrates that making your home ‘greener’ really is worthwhile. The Guardian has just reported that worldwide, the temperatures in the first half of 2010 were the hottest on record so far and that new evidence vindicates the scientists who say that global warming is already happening.

There is some partially good news emerging as well. The 4ecotips website is devoted to reducing climate change and it recently reported that the hole in the ozone layer is actually healing. However, as the ozone layer recovers, wind patterns distorted by climate change could encourage ozone to head closer towards the earth’s surface. This means it would then heavily contribute to smog.

If all that sounds like sad news, for me, the most important thing is to celebrate the ways in which you can play a vital and active role in combating climate change. The great thing about it all is that the science has evolved to the point where it’s possible to know exactly which actions are going to help the environment. Reducing your home’s carbon emissions is certainly on the list and it’s really easy to do. You can reduce your ‘carbon footprint’ by using an energy meter to measure your footprint and identify where you could save energy. Understanding precisely how you use energy in the home can be the key to making effective energy and cash savings.

Another way to do it is use home heating controls. The principle is simple – why waste money and fuel heating rooms inappropriately? It would be far too time consuming to individually set all your home's thermostatic or manual radiator valves every time you went to bed, got up in the morning, went out to work and so on. But these nifty gadgets will do it all for you automatically, saving you again both fuel and money.

So if you were thinking about taking some green steps, be inspired not depressed by the news – you will make a real difference and now is absolutely the right time to start.