(Graphic via imeasure)
For the last two months I have been tracking our home carbon
emissions, as a function of electricity and gas meter readings. I
have learned a few things:
1. The largest part of our energy emissions come from heating. The
high gas readings in March are correlated with winter weather, and now
that we have turned off the heating, we're using just under one unit a
week for cooking. There seems to be little room for improvement in
the summer, but our winter strategy will change as October approaches.
Draught insulation and nighttime window coverings will be key.
2. Our electricity use is mostly stable. It seems to wobble according
to how many loads of laundry we do. The highest reading was for this
past week, when my mother was staying with us. We did an extra load
of laundry, spent more hours watching television (the Eurovision Song
Contest is a cultural experience), and powered a third computer. So
our 42kg should really be split three ways, giving us 14kg per person,
which is much better than we have ever done as a two-person household.
3. There are still actions to be taken. Our dishwasher, for example,
is a dinosaur. Though we don't use it every day, we could cut down
even further, or replace it with an efficient modern model. My baking
obsession is another strain on the electricity. I already try to
double up where possible, making trays of granola only when the oven
is on for another purpose, but I could try to cook more dinners on the
more efficient gas stove top. When I finish my thesis, my computer
usage will decrease, but I'm sure there are efficiency savings I could
be making with behavioural changes. I am also looking into insulating
the gap between the oven and the fridge.
We have gone from a D rating to a C since beginning to measure our
energy usage. Our block of flats was built in 1895, so I'm not
expecting to get a top rating, but I'm shooting for a B by summer's
end.
You can track your own home carbon emissions at
http://imeasure.org.uk/.>