Energy Saving Tips
Practical advice to help you reduce your carbon footprint, lower your bills, and contribute to a more sustainable future for Tendring.
Greener Food Choices
Did you know that about a quarter of the average UK resident's carbon emissions come from the food we eat? The biggest contributors are animal products — not only from the land needed for grazing, but also from growing and transporting feed, including large amounts of soya imported from countries such as Brazil. By making small, thoughtful changes to what and how we eat, we can all help reduce our impact on the planet — while often saving money and improving our health too.
-
🌱
Eat Less Meat and DairyEvery meat-free day helps! Animal farming produces much more carbon than growing plants, so even small changes make a big difference.
-
🥕
Buy Local and SeasonalYou don't have to give up meat entirely. Choosing food grown locally or in the UK reduces transport emissions and supports local farmers.
-
⚡
Cook EfficientlyUse a microwave, slow cooker, or induction hob to save energy and lower your bills.
-
🐟
Choose Sustainable FishLook for the Blue Tick label from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or check the Good Fish Guide from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) to find responsibly sourced fish.
-
🍎
Grow Your OwnIf you have space, try growing fruit or vegetables. It's fun, fresh, and has zero food miles!
Smarter Energy Choices
Energy is the big one - both in terms of carbon emissions and costs. Over 25% of the average person's emissions result from their need for energy in the home. Good national progress has been made to reduce emissions from UK electricity generation by phasing out coal and by increasing renewables from solar and wind. However, electricity generation still relies heavily on gas power stations - so your choices are important.
-
🔌
Switch to Renewable EnergyConsider providers like Ecotricity, Good Energy, Green Energy UK, Octopus Energy, or SO Energy. Not all providers are fully renewable, so check before you switch.
-
💡
Use LED BulbsLEDs use less electricity, saving money and reducing emissions.
-
🏠
Insulate Your HomeLoft and wall insulation, plus double glazing, can cut heating costs and carbon emissions.
-
☀️
Install Solar Panels or Heat PumpsThese can be good investments, especially with available grants.
-
🧺
Run Appliances EfficientlyOnly run your dishwasher when full, and air-dry clothes instead of using a tumble dryer.
Greener Travel
Travel is another big one in terms of both costs and carbon emissions - over 20% of carbon emissions for an average resident. Choosing to Walk and Cycle more. We need to shift our culture to drive less. 60% of current journeys by car are less than 2 miles and many could be undertaken by bike or foot. It takes determination to get on your bike or walk to the shops or school even though the rewards for better health are well documented.
-
🚶♂️
Walk or Cycle MoreMost car journeys are under 2 miles. Try walking or cycling for short trips—it's healthier and greener.
-
🚌
Use Public Transport or Car-ShareTake the bus, train, or share lifts when you can.
-
🚗
Consider Electric VehiclesSwitching from petrol or diesel to electric can cut your carbon footprint, though it's not a perfect solution.
-
✈️
Limit Air TravelTry to avoid short flights where trains are available, and keep flights to a minimum
Everyday Lifestyle Tips
This sector includes a lot of small potential reductions to your carbon footprint. So if you can't afford some of the big-ticket items – you can achieve a large saving in carbon emissions by tackling many of these small reductions, and most will save you money.
-
🌳
Plant TreesIf possible, plant up to 10 trees a year—they help wildlife and the environment.
-
🌱
Use Peat-Free CompostPeat bogs store carbon and support biodiversity. Choose peat-free options for your garden.
-
🌵
Pick Drought-Tolerant PlantsThese need less watering and are better for dry areas.
Save Water
Essex is one of the driest parts of the UK - we only receive about 20 to 25inches (520 to 630mm) of rain per year – less than Jerusalem. Most of our water in Tendring is pumped from bore holes to treatment works then to us – water is very heavy stuff, so all this pumping takes a lot of energy. There are good reasons to reduce our water use – both to reduce our bills and to reduce the carbon emissions from pumping.
-
🚿
Take Showers, Not BathsShowers use half the water, especially with a low-flow showerhead.
-
🚽
Install Dual Flush ToiletsThese cut water use in half.
-
💧
Collect RainwaterUse a water butt for your garden to save tap water.
Sustainable Clothing
Clothes account for about 5% of UK carbon emissions – we can reduce this and still enjoy our clothes. On average people wear an item of clothing only 7 times and then discard. So, buying fewer items and wearing them more times would be a good start. Buying some second-hand clothes. This will slash your carbon footprint – many fashionable people take great pride in buying second hand - you will get some great deals. Avoid fast fashion and check the label before you buy. Some fast fashion is worn only once then discarded. When checking the labels think carefully about the fabric you might buy – man-made fabrics like polyester, acrylic and lycra are made from oil products whereas cotton, linen, viscose, and rayon are all plant-based. Cotton is good, but not the best because of the vast amount of water required to grow and process cotton.
-
👕
Buy Less, Wear MoreTry to wear clothes more often and buy fewer new items.
-
🛍️
Shop Second-HandIt's fashionable, affordable, and eco-friendly.
-
🔖
Avoid Fast FashionCheck labels—choose plant-based fabrics like cotton, linen, viscose, or rayon over synthetic ones.
Reduce Waste & Recycle
In a recent Survey, most Essex residents thought that recycling was the best action they could take to help tackle climate change – it's important but we will have to do more than recycling to address climate change. Reducing our total waste. On average we each produce nearly half a tonne of waste per year – all needing transporting and processing. Reduce this by refusing excess packaging, buying at local shops, using your own bags and refill containers etc.
-
♻️
Cut Down on WasteRefuse excess packaging, shop locally, and use refillable containers
-
🗑️
Recycle Everything You CanSupport council collections for plastics, cans, paper, card, food waste, and glass.
-
🌿
Compost at HomeUse a compost bin for garden and food waste (no cooked food)
Wellbeing & Community
It is challenging thinking about climate change and the changes we should make to our lifestyle, particularly at a time of rising costs and other serious pressures in the world. So don't try and make too many changes at once – choose a few important actions and work on those. It is important to look after your well-being during these changes, and look after your family and your community too.
-
🚴
Take Regular ExerciseEven a short walk or bike ride outdoors can reduce stress.
-
🤝
Volunteer LocallyHelping others is good for you and your community.
-
💷
Choose Ethical InvestmentsSupport banks and funds with green credentials
Pick a few tips to start with and build from there.
Every small change helps!