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2. Install low-carbon heating
Even a well-insulated house needs heating in winter.
Switching to the best eco-heating option – a heat pump – can really reduce your impact on the climate. It could cut your planet-warming emissions by up to 60% .
Heat pumps extract heat from the air outside, heating water for your radiators.
They even work below freezing, which explains why chilly Sweden uses so many of them.
3. Get solar panels
Renewable energy is the cleanest form of power we can use.
Imagine enjoying a sunny day, knowing the solar panels on your roof are generating free, clean electricity and hot water.
Your solar panels will probably pay for themselves in around 10 years. And they'll keep generating heat or electricity for decades.
Solar hot water panels are more efficient than solar electricity ones. They save more planet-warming gases. If you have space, install both.
You can also use excess solar electricity to heat a hot water tank. Solar panels that produce both electricity and heat could soon be a reality.
4. Glaze windows and doors
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5. Draught-proof your home
Draughty windows, doors and floorboards make homes chilly in winter – wasting heat and increasing your impact on the planet.
You'll shave at least £20 of your energy bill when you draught-proof your home.
Draught-proofing is straightforward. Use the Energy Saving Trust's helpful guide.
If you’re renting, your landlord may pay for the materials or even get them professionally installed.
6. Keep heating below 18 deg C
7. Save energy and water
Switching off your TV is not going to save the world from climate change, but developing energy-saving and water-saving habits ill make some difference.
Smart energy meters can be helpful in encouraging good habits as they provide live info on how much energy you’re using. For example, you'll notice a difference in how much water and energy you're using by taking shorter showers (5 minutes or less).
Make an even bigger difference by replacing old, energy-guzzling appliances with efficient versions (A-rated and above).