Carbon Footprints

Recently posted Carbon Footprint Reports submitted by WinACC members are shown below.

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.

Libby Philpott, Jan 09

2 person household footprint: 6.7 tonnes

Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 3.35 tonnes per person

Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
Ensuring that no excess energy is used, e.g. stand-by, light switches, etc. Use of wind-up radio

Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
Draft proofing, use of pedal-power battery for mobile phones, cameras, etc.

Claire Huck, Jan 09

Individual footprint: 4.7 tonnes

Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.

Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
reduced travel by car and increased journeys taken by bike/on foot.

Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
reduce travel by air. Turn off appliances instead of leaving on standby.

Any other comments
Surprised by personal footprint as I an concious of leading a green lifestyle.

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.

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!

Charlotte Bailey, Dec 08

Individual footprint: 3.6 tonnes

Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.

Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
New road tax free car Wearing more clothes indoors/shutting doors Switching off more appliances

Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
Draught exclusion More bus journeys Investigate underfloor insulation

Rupert Cook, Dec 08

5 person household footprint: 9.9 tonnes

Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 1.98 tonnes per person

Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
Major works to house 3 years ago which reduced energy use (mainly space heating). Still a constant battle to turn stuff off. Replaced all but a couple of halogen lights with low energy compact fluorescent and LEDs, still not happy with light temperature (colour of LEDs though). Kids mostly walk to school, scooters for Christmas and pocket money linked to walking!

Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
Have planning to insulate end of house and further work. Will look into solar water and large volume water tank. Need to find ways to make turning stuff off easier, so we can all do it!

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.

Louise Boulter, Dec 08

2 person household footprint: 6.7 tonnes

Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.
Based on the household size, this carbon footprint equates to 3.35 tonnes per person

Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
Moved to a smaller flat, sold a car to share one instead of having one each, don't fly anymore

Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
buy an eco kettle, try to reduce energy consumption, try to make flat warmer without using the heating

Any other comments
its difficult to get insulation for the flat as it is rented

Gina Henderson, Dec 08

Individual footprint: 7.6 tonnes

Measured using the Act On CO2 carbon calculator.

Measures taken in the last 12 months to reduce footprint
I sold my car, have stopped using appliances like hair dryers daily. Shower more often than bathe. I holiday more frequently in the UK. Buy only food produced in the UK and preferably from Hampshire. I have stopped eating Fish and try to eat meat free at least 2 days a week. I have become much more vigilant with household recycling and use websites such as freecycle. Have grown some produce in the garden.

Measures to be taken in the next 12 months to reduce footprint
Will be taking my last long haul flight for many years. Intend to buy a good bike. Intend to purchase a laptop. Intend to move to a smaller house. Will make more use of the veg patch and grow a larger variety of produce. Want to learn to make my own clothes.