Be sustainable
Climate change and other environmental problems are in the headlines daily. They are huge issues facing the world today, and governments across the globe are grappling with ways to address them.
The international focus can often leave us feeling powerless to do anything meaningful at a personal level, but the choices that people make everyday really do make a difference. And the good thing about managing your energy use is that it also saves you money and creates a warmer, healthier home.
Some things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint
Did you know?
- The electricity used by the average house results in the emission of 1.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year
- The fuel used by the average car in New Zealand produces 3.28 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year
- Across every house in New Zealand, the carbon dioxide emissions just from standby (wasted) electricity consumption adds up to 130,000 tonnes each year.
Some things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint
Reduce the amount of energy you use
- Make sure your house has good insulation
- Take shorter showers and using efficient shower heads
Be more efficient
- Use efficient heating, such as a heat pump
- Use an efficient water heating system such as solar water heating or heat pump water heating
- Buy ENERGY STAR® appliances
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Look for Energy Rating Labels.
Maximise the amount of renewable energy you use
- Replace your fireplace with a wood burner or pellet fire
- Use solar water heating
- Think about generating your own renewable energy.
