Environmental Top Tips

Welcome to the Environmental Top Tips page of the Union website.

Below are a number of ways you can do your bit to protect our environment.

If you have any ideas for inclusion then email su.comms@uea.ac.uk

Courtesy of jackguest.com

• Change to a renewable electricity supplier, e.g. Npower Juice www.npower.com/juice
• Put central heating thermostat on, constant on a low temperature is best, use the timer to turn it off at night or when nobody is home.
• Travel by train, plane or boat rather than by plane for holidays. ( www.noflying.info or www.seat61.com )
• Cycle, walk or use public transport rather than driving for short trips.
• Buy organic food: reduces carbon emmisions by 50%
• Buy local food: reduces by a further around 50% (or more)
• Be vegetarian or eat less meat: reduces carbon by about 50% again

Your toilet is typically the largest user of water in your home

According to Which magazine, one of the best ways to save water is to fit a water saving devise that ensures that the toilet flushes fully only when the handle is held down - releasing the handle stops the flush, which means you use only the water you need.

Kits are available that fit inside the cistern, work with handles on both left and right and can be fitted using simple tools by any competent DIYer with basic plumbing knowledge. They typically cost around £20

www.britisheco.com/?productID=223&op;=catalogue-product_info-null&prodCategoryID;=4

www.interflush.co.uk

www.treehuggermums.co.uk/articles/parenting/article.php?article=49

Avoid filling your refrigerator to the brim or having it empty - about three quarters full is most efficient.

If you go away and want to leave your fridge on, to reduce your electricity bill, scrunch up some paper and put it on the shelves.

www.housewarming.org.uk/simple_measures/appliances.html

www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/appliances/refrigerators.html

If you don't have a Combi boiler, you probably have a hot water tank in your loft.

Make sure your tank is properly insulated - most aren't. A British Standard lagging jacket costs £10 and the insulation for the pipe leading to from the boiler costs £3 per metre. The yearly saving on you bill will be between £15 and £20.

www.south-derbys.gov.uk/Environment/Energy/?qsNavSetting=max

www.whatprice.co.uk/energy.htm

Is it time to dust off your light bulb? Built-up dirt and dust can decrease the bulb's output by 10 percent

www.subutil.com/quktp_energy.htm

www.energymanagertraining.com/equipment_all/lighting_system/pdf/action%20energy%20lighting.pdf

www.replacementlightbulbs.com/