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Change begins at home

We want to make it easier for people to reduce the environmental impacts of their homes and lifestyles – and save themselves some money too.

The way we heat and power our homes has a massive impact on the environment – not just locally, but globally. In Scotland our homes account for 25% of total carbon emissions.

The good news is that any improvements we make in the energy efficiency of our homes will have benefits not just for us, but for the environment everywhere. In other words, by making our homes cosier, cheaper to heat and power, and running on clean energy, it means people, places and wildlife all over the world will be safer and less vulnerable to changes in the climate.

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We are working with the winners of our eco-makeover competition, Ashley and Mark Clunie from Auchtermuchty in Fife, to show how with an investment of £5,000, they can reduce the carbon emissions from their home by more than 60%! Parity Projects produced a thorough energy masterplan for Ashley and Mark, and Knauf Insulation e conducted a detailed survey to assess the potential for solid wall insulation.

There’s lots we can do as individuals to reduce the amount of CO2 our homes emit – but it’s vital the government plays its part to encourage a national retrofit programme that will make every home a low carbon home by 2020. In WWF’s manifesto for a One Planet Scotland, we are calling for universal home insulation schemes, supplemented by attractive finance that makes it affordable to install more expensive measures like solid wall insulation. We are working to make sure the UK Government’s proposed Green Deal Finance really helps homeowners in Scotland.

If you are keen to make your home cosy, cheaper to run, and climate-friendly, follow these top 5 tips:

  • Get a Home Energy Check from the Energy Saving Trust and find out how your home rates on the A-G scale
  • Change all your light bulbs to low-energy light bulbs
  • Wash your clothes at 30 degrees
  • Use an eco kettle
  • Turn your thermostat down by 1 degree

The work is completed

Find out how Ashley and Mark feel now that the improvements have been done.