Recent Carbon Footprints
Recently posted Carbon Footprint Reports submitted by WinACC members are shown below.
David Spender, Dec 08
5 person household footprint: 16.8 tonnes
Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 3.36 tonnes per person
Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
“Replaced some older kitchen equipment with new A+ devices. Became obsessive about not leaving things on standby. Replaced virtually every bulb in the house with low energy equivalents.”
Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
“Watch the travel. We tend to take one family holiday, 5 return flights, and I make several additional business trips. For the latter it comes down to using the trips more effectively to see more customers each time. Try to use the car a little less often - my friends know this will be a challenge for me!”
Martin Tod, Dec 08
Individual footprint: 6.6 tonnes
Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
“Reduced car use and cycled instead for short journeys. Replaced all non-halogen bulbs with low energy bulbs. Bought local food and reduced food miles. Bought and used a plug that lets me measure the energy use of difference appliances. Stopped leaving phone chargers switched on. Holidayed in the UK instead of flying.”
Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
“Turn down thermostat and program the timer to further reduce time that central heating is on. Use the train to visit family in Europe instead of flying. Drive more gently and replace more journeys with public transport and cycling. Be more vigilant in switching off lights and appliances - especially the laser printer and the coffee machine.”
Any other comments
“The big surprise was the amount of CO2 generated for heating and hot water. We live in a recently built terrace house with a new heating system so I was expecting this to be below average, not above average. We've recently had some repairs done which should help, but it's a top priority for the coming year to reduce this further. ”
Liza Nahajski, Nov 08
6 person household footprint: 28.5 tonnes
Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 4.75 tonnes per person
Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
“Bought electricity from ecotricity (about 35% now from renewables about 1.9 tonnes Carbon saving).
Draught proofed house and installed underfloor insulation (about 0.4 tonne saving).
Low wattage bulbs installed and underfloor heating in bathrooms adjusted (about 1.4 tonne saving).
Used train for European holiday (about 1 tonne saving).”
Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
“Install wood burning stove to improve heating and reduce draughts.
Use train/drive for holiday.
Change least efficient family car to energy efficient one.
Continue research into fully integrated low energy heating system (boiler replacement/solar water/other options)”
Any other comments
“It was very dicouraging to have a 6 person household compared with an average household in the UK on the CO2 calculator!!
We are still struggling to find a good integrated solution to our household energy and have called in a consultant!”
Caroline Panico, Jan 09
4 person household footprint: 11.2 tonnes
Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 2.80 tonnes per person
Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
“no direct actions”
Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
“cutting down on leaving electrical items on standby and changing our washing machine. making sure our vehicles are better maintained.”
Any other comments
“I would like it to compare our household with the average, size for size. also no obvious explanation of what a carbon footprint it on the calculator website. I liked the design of the site though.”
Joss Hyde, Nov 08
3 person household footprint: 10.7 tonnes
Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 3.57 tonnes per person
Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
“Cavity wall insulation
Low energy bulbs
Use of clothes line in the Summer”
Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
“Improve draft proofing
Replace remaining old bulbs with low energy
Replace high standby Sky box with low standby 1W Freesat box”
Jock Macdonald, Nov 08
2 person household footprint: 10.8 tonnes
Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 5.40 tonnes per person
Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
“Double Glazing in Kitchen/Dining Room
Bought a 1.38 Toyota instead of a lousy 1.6 Peugeot
More low energy bulbs
”
Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
“I may buy a condensing boiler soon - funds permitting
More low energy bulbs for dimmer lights
Some Draught Exclusion”
Greg Harris, Nov 08
4 person household footprint: 9.8 tonnes
Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 2.45 tonnes per person
Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
“Changed car to an economical family sized diesel. Fitted energy saving bulbs ”
Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
“Add to thickness of loft thermal insulation. Progress replacement of remaining tungsten light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Improve recycling. Increase purchases of locally produced food.”
Simon Eden, Nov 08
4 person household footprint: 15.5 tonnes
Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 3.88 tonnes per person
Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
“Cycle to work
Replace aged appliances”
Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
“Reduce use of central heating
Replace CH/Water boiler
Replace car”
Frederick Allgood, Nov 08
2 person household footprint: 20.5 tonnes
Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 10.25 tonnes per person
Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
“1. Regularly walk to village centre (1.2 miles) to buy morning newspaper.
2. Car sharing with other local councillors to minimise car journeys.
3. Fitted a new kitchen in our hosue with more efficient appliances.”
Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
“1. Plan to order double glazing for 12 windows that have not been modernised.
2. Plan to use bus pass on visits to Portsmouth instead of taking the car.
3. Reduce the number of long-haul holidays and visits in the year./”
Kelsie Learney, Jan 09
4 person household footprint: 11.2 tonnes
Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 2.80 tonnes per person
Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
“Changed outdoor lights to fittings which take energy efficient lightbulbs - and they look much nicer!
”
Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
“Next year we are holidaying in the UK and plan on taking no flights.
Turn off computer equipment overnight and only turning laser printer on when needed.
Investigate solar power generation. ”
Any other comments
“Like many others my household has reached the point where the thermostat can't be turned down much more, the car already goes days without moving and the house is full of energy efficient light bulbs (does anyone want some - we keep getting given more for free?) but I was still surprised by the difference all the TVs and computers used by a modern household with teenagers uses makes and will be making more efforts in that direction.”