Carbon Footprint Guide & Carbon Emissions Advice

Carbon Footprint - Carbon emissions advice for home buyers and a guidance for carbon reduction for homes in the UK  and ways to reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental performance for existing and new build homes.

Carbon & Energy Performance Certificate Environmental Ratings

The home inspector will survey a property not only to determine its energy efficiency but also the dwelling's impact on the environment. This is primarily assessed by the type of fuel used to heat the home and provide hot water.

For existing homes there are several ways to reduce the carbon footprint, the single most important contributory factor is the fuel used to heat the home, which is considered here.

Fuel Types

The most common form of domestic heating in the UK is "central heating" which comprises of a gas boiler using mains gas as its fuel. Dependent on the type of fuel used for heating this will have an affect on the EPC environmental performance rating that the property owner will score. The lower the score (rating) the poorer the environmental performance. Consider the main types of fuel for residential homes:

• Mains Gas

• Mains Electricity as primary heating source

• Wood burning stove

• Smokeless Fuel

• Coal burning stove

In the case of carbon coal based or fossil fuels, these can reduce the Energy certificate's rating significantly and increase the footprint.

Typical EPC chart:

Other factors that affect EPC carbon environmental CO2 ratings is the use of electric panel heaters, particularly if this is the source of primary heating, this is due to the fact that the energy produced to provide electricity is primarily coal fired power stations.

Gas fired domestic back boilers also degrade the rating, as these types of boilers are quite inefficient, compared to a modern gas fired condensing boiler which achieves in excess of a 90% efficiency rating, compared to a back boiler which is typically around 70% efficiency, thus more carbon is produced using inefficient gas appliances. Consider upgrading to a Band A condensing boiler which have high energy efficiency and lower fuel usage. Condensing boilers use an extra heat exchanger to recycle heat produced from the burnt gases and help heat the water in your system making it more efficient. Find out more ways to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint - Energy Saving Advice

CO2 emissions can be reduced, and footprint improved, and, environmental impact reduced by not using coal based energy products.

Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

There are a number of ways to reduce your CO2 footprint, some are simple and inexpensive and can also reduce your energy consumption, and thus lower your energy bills. For further advice and a guide for you the key points surround heating your home or business premises and to make it more energy efficient. Please refer to:

• Domestic Mains Gas Boilers

• Loft Insulation

• Hot Water Cylinder Jacket

• Cavity Wall Insulation

• Heating Controls

Renewable Energy Sources include but are not limited to:

• Home Wind Turbines

• Solar Panels

Carbon Tax - Carbon Emissions & Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Environmental issues are likely to affect Corporate, Business, Companies and Home Owners, Energy Taxation could be imminent, it is likely that many Energy Users will be not be exempt from the the new tax legislation and regulations that may be imminent in the future of Energy Supply to consumers. Find out why, and read articles about how this may affect the Household and Business User of Energy in the UK.

There are many ways to reduce your home carbon footprint and even adopt renewable energy techniques that can improve your home's energy and environmental rating, please refer to:

Energy Saving Tips & Advice