Lets be Green!

News Source: manchestereveningnews

THE credit crunch appears to have convinced people that continuing to be green is going to cost them the earth.Last October, according to a Mintel survey, a quarter of people said that they would like to be more environmentally friendly, but couldn't afford to be.

However, Which?

Money research proves that now is the perfect time to take action, as many changes could save you hundreds of pounds.There are a great deal of simple things you can do, many free of charge, which can make a big difference to both your wallet and the environment.

Over the next four pages, we look at ways to make your life more environmentally friendly and save money in three areas – your home, your transport and your lifestyle. We've also included a useful guide to how much the project will cost and the potential payback.

Your home
If you concentrate on running your heating efficiently, fully insulating your home and conserving energy and water, you could save as much as £950 a year.

Your car
If you can't afford a hybrid car, don't worry. Converting to greener fuel such as LPG, more fuel-efficient driving and alternative transport will save you money and cut your carbon footprint.(More details further down this page...)

Your life
Most changes you can make to your lifestyle are free – such as recycling more often or composting your waste, and can make a difference to your pocket and the environment.Don't let tough financial times put a stop to your efforts to be environmentally friendly. Lots of changes we've suggested cost less than £25 and some are even free.

Boiler switch
Old boilers work at around 55 to 75 per cent efficiency, whereas modern condensing boilers work at around 90 per cent, using less fuel and costing less to run. Replacing your old boiler with a condensing one could save you between £160 and £360 on your heating bills each year, depending on the size of your house.But new boilers cost from around £800 to £2,000 – so it could be several years before you get a return on your investment.

Heating controls
A programmer, room thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves will let you take control of your heating. It costs around £200 to buy all those. But you'll save around £105 a year on your heating bills, so payback is quick. Also, turn your thermostat down by 10C. It costs nothing and could save you £40 a year.

DIY draught proofing
This is cheap, easy and cost-effective. Stop cold draughts, for example, by fitting brushes to letterboxes or the bottom of doors, and filling gaps between the skirting boards and the floor with wood moulding or flexible silicon sealant. It might cost you up to £90 for materials, but you'll save £30 a year on your heating bills.

Loft insulation
In our survey, 97 per cent of members with a loft had loft insulation, although it tends to be less than the recommended 270mm thick. Insulating your roof – or topping up existing insulation – could save you up to £205 per year.

Cavity wall insulation
Two thirds of members we surveyed with cavity walls have them insulated. But it's a worthwhile investment and could save you around £160 a year on your heating bills. You need a professional to do this job. Contact the Energy Saving Trust for details on grants. Low-flow shower Fitting a low-flow shower head is one of the most effective ways to save water in your home as it uses up to 70 per cent less water than a standard one. And if you have a water meter, it will also save you money.To find out if a low-flow shower will benefit you, put a two-litre container on the shower floor. With the water on full, count how many seconds it takes to fill up. If it takes fewer than 12 seconds, a low-flow shower will save you money. They are not compatible with electric showers.

Toilet tips
Flushing an old loo uses up to 13 litres of water. Fitting a cistern displacement device – such as a *hippo' or *save-a-flush' – will save about one litre per flush. If you are buying a new loo, get one with a dual flush – these are very efficient, using only up to six litres per flush. Many water companies offer free cistern displacement devices. Contact your water company for more details.

Energy-saving light bulbs
We found that 93 per cent of members have energy-saving bulbs at home but only 21 per cent use them in all their lights. They use far less electricity than standard bulbs and last up to 10 times as long. Fit all the lights in your house with energy-saving bulbs, and you could save around £50 a year. Contact your electricity supplier to ask about free energy saving light bulbs – many have free samples to give away.

YOUR CAR
There are numerous ways to cut your travel costs and your carbon emissions at the same time. Some, such as buying an eco-friendly car, will only be worthwhile if you were looking for something new in the first place. However, simple changes to the way you drive cost you nothing and could save you money.

Greener driving
The way that you drive can affect how much fuel you use. Eco-driving can save you money on your fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions too.
1) Cut your speed. At 70mph, a car consumes 30% more fuel than at 50mph.
2) Be window-wise. Air con uses fuel, so turn it off at lower speeds and open the windows instead. At higher speeds, open windows cause drag, so close them up again.
3) No sudden braking (unless you're in an emergency, of course). If you need to stop, lift your foot off the accelerator early and let the engine slow the car.
4) Lower revs. Try not to rev the engine above 2,500rpm (petrol) or 2,000rpm (diesel). The higher the revs, the more fuel you use.
5) Steady speed. The steadier your speed, the lower your fuel consumption. So avoid varying your speed continuously.
6) Accelerate gently Quick getaways from the lights use up lots of fuel. Taking a few seconds longer to accelerate will save you money.

New car
If you'relooking for new wheels, consider buying a *green' car: a hybrid like the Toyota Prius or Honda Civic Hybrid, a diesel, such as Volkswagen's Blue Motion range, or even an electric car.You'll spend less on fuel, pay less for your car tax and reduce your impact on the environment. In a recent Which? Money survey, 46% of members said that they were more likely to buy cars with green claims.

Don't use standby
Some appliances use almost as much electricity on standby as they do when switched on.Only 23% of Which? members always switch appliances off at the power button or the plug when they have finished using them. But this simple step could cut an average £32 off your annual electricity bill.

Clothes washing
If you normally wash at 40oC, lower the temperature to 30oC.Only 37% of our members say that they usually wash clothes at lower temperatures. But washing at 30oC instead of 40oC will save you between £8 and £18 a year on your energy bills.