Reduce The Effect Of Climate Change

 

Reducing the effect of Climate Change

The effects that humans have had on our planet may be irreversible for centuries, and it’s hard thinking that you, as an individual, can do much to make a difference. 

However, you can play a vital role in slowing down climate change. According to Global Finance, if you’re a resident of the UK, you live in the 28th wealthiest country globally – https://www.gfmag.com/global-data/economic-data/worlds-richest-and-poorest-countries. 

Therefore, we are responsible for more carbon emissions than the average country. 

What is a Carbon Footprint?

We constantly hear the phrase ‘Carbon Footprint,’ but do you know what it means?

The definition of Carbon Footprint in the Oxford Dictionary is, “the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere due to the activities of a particular individual, organisation, or community”.

We should care about our Carbon Footprint because everything we do releases an amount of carbon into the world, but the amount depends on a wide variety of factors. You can increase or decrease your carbon dioxide emissions with your day-to-day choices.

How do we work out Carbon Dioxide Emissions?

The first step to reducing your carbon footprint is to work out what it is now and then look at ways to change it. 

There are plenty of things that make up your Carbon Footprint, especially with the four main things you have control over:

· Your home and energy

· Transport and Travel

· Things you own

· Food and Drink

Home and Energy

Insulation

A great way to reduce your Carbon Footprint is by investing in insulation for your home. Insulating your home is not only planet-friendly but also means that your central heating system works less to keep your house warm, reducing your carbon emissions and costs dramatically. 

The heat produced isn’t lost through the roof and walls and stays trapped inside your home.

EnergyLink offers Free Home Insulation Services and can help you qualify for Free Insulation grants. Free Insulation grants are available to install Cavity Wall Insulation, Internal Wall Insulation, Loft Insulation, External Wall Insulation, and Room in Roof Insulation. 

All private UK householders can qualify for a grant, if in receipt of a qualifying income or disability-related benefit. In some cases, you may be eligible even if you do not receive benefits/credits/allowances.

Heating

A-rated boilers have an efficiency of 90% or higher, meaning that 90% of the fuel is utilised by the boiler, with only the remaining 10% going to waste. 

A-rated boilers are preferred by homeowners due to their long-term cost-saving benefit in their energy bills. 

To maximise Eco-friendliness, installing Solar Panels to work alongside your boiler will improve energy efficiency! The panels can be fitted onto your roof, and they captivate energy from the sun. Even if it’s not sunny, the sun is still up there, generating energy. Use your electrical appliances (if you must) during daylight hours to decrease your Carbon Footprint and save you money! 

Our heating grants are available to contribute towards the cost of a replacement boiler; to replace inefficient or faulty Electric Storage heaters; and if you haven’t already got a boiler and radiators, a full Central Heating system can be installed for free. 

Providing you meet the criteria on our website, EnergyLink can arrange for you to receive a free, no-obligation survey from an approved ECO installer working in your local area, to improve the energy efficiency of your heating.

If you’re not eligible to qualify for a grant, we can still help you with various finance options available.

How to apply for Eco-friendly solutions and save money

If anyone living in your home receives any of the following benefits, you are eligible to apply for a grant: 

Armed Forces Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Constant Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-Related Employment Support Allowance, Income Support, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Pension Guarantee Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Severe Disablement Allowance, Universal Credit, War Pensions Mobility Supplement, Working Tax Credit. (Child Benefit also qualifies, but there is a household income limit, depending on whether you are a single-parent/a couple, and the number of children you have).

If a resident of your household doesn’t receive an income-related benefit, you could still qualify for a grant in some postcodes. For example, if a resident has a long-term illness, is a pensioner, is pregnant, or is over a certain age. The number of children living in your household is also another contributing factor. 

EnergyLink can put you in touch with an approved local installer who has access to this grant funding. 

To receive a no-obligation, free survey, visit https://www.freeheating.co.uk/apply/ or https://www.freeinsulation.co.uk/apply/ and fill in the form!