| With a third of the UK's population believing | | | | by the consumer, and by reinforcing the |
| that climate change is the biggest challenge | | | | messaging from DEFRA and the government they |
| facing the world, the time to start taking | | | | are playing a huge role in getting everybody |
| collective responsibility is now. Every | | | | to take responsibility and action. Home |
| household in the country is now being urged | | | | appliances are stress buys, and just about |
| to take more interest in reducing their | | | | every household will need them. Television |
| energy wastage. As it stands, there are | | | | sets are soon going to be produced without |
| indeed plenty of ways to be more efficient in | | | | standby functions to help reduce energy |
| an effort to slow down the planet's | | | | wastage. By eliminating opportunities to |
| deterioration. Simply washing your clothes at | | | | waste energy at the production phase, slowing |
| temperatures 10 degrees cooler is one of | | | | down climate change can be achieved. |
| them. | | | | |
| | | | It would be far too early to predict whether |
| Recently, the nation has been exposed to a | | | | or not climate change can be prevented, and |
| series of TV advertisements highlighting the | | | | many experts will say with full confidence |
| dangers of climate change and promoting the | | | | that it is an unavoidable eventuality. |
| government's climate challenge aims. The | | | | Washing clothes at 30 degrees cannot possibly |
| adverts included visible CO2 emissions and | | | | save the environment on its own, and will |
| encouraging cycling over driving have also | | | | need a lot of support from other areas, but |
| been aired. All of this goes to show how easy | | | | it is a positive step that can be taken by |
| it can be to help to reduce the factors | | | | every household. The kitchen provides a raft |
| causing climate change. Consumer goods | | | | of ideas whereby the average household will |
| manufacturer Proctor & Gamble has also taken | | | | be able to cut down on wasting energy. These |
| the initiative with it's washing detergent | | | | are truly simple ideas that just need good |
| brand Ariel, by releasing a new range of | | | | habits and a bit of discipline to execute. |
| tablets that clean specifically at the lower | | | | Kettles should be boiled with the correct |
| 30 degree temperature. Retail giants Marks & | | | | amount of water for intended usage, |
| Spencer and ASDA have also started adding 30 | | | | microwaves and toasters should be switched |
| degree recommendations to the labels of their | | | | off at the plug and saucepans should always |
| clothes. By having constant reminders such as | | | | be used with the lid on to minimise heat |
| these in consumers' views, it is hoped that | | | | loss. With regards to the kitchen, every |
| the changes will begin to happen. | | | | appliance, large and small, should be |
| | | | switched off at the mains socket with the |
| The campaign to reduce washing temperatures | | | | exception of the refrigerator and freezer. |
| by 10 degrees has also managed to split | | | | It's possible to move around every room in |
| opinions. Many people are sceptical over | | | | your home and you will find opportunities to |
| whether or not all types of germs and bugs | | | | save energy. Switching lights off as you |
| are sufficiently destroyed at 30 degrees. | | | | leave one room for another is an easy |
| Although switching from 40 degrees to 30 | | | | example, and using energy saving light bulbs |
| degrees would save approximately 40% in | | | | in conjunction will save a pretty penny, too. |
| energy costs, the trade off could be an | | | | If at all possible, everything should be |
| inefficiency regarding the removal of dust | | | | switched off at the plug socket rather than |
| mites. Various other allergens are also said | | | | being left on standby, and curtains should be |
| to be less effectively removed during a 30 | | | | drawn as soon as it gets dark to retain the |
| degree wash, including pollen and dog dander. | | | | heat. |
| However, washing at 30 degrees should not | | | | |
| pose too much of a threat, and there is a | | | | The government supports the idea that a 60% |
| solution available. By rinsing the fabrics in | | | | reduction of carbon emissions is required to |
| cold water 3 or 4 times after a cooler wash | | | | prevent global meltdown, but also concedes |
| will provide results that are almost on par | | | | that the UK makes up a mere 2% of the |
| with a higher temperature wash. | | | | worldwide issue. Savings within the household |
| | | | may not have any impact on reducing CO2 |
| Modern home appliances will now tell you what | | | | emissions, so is it worth the effort? |
| efficiency rating they are, and this is an | | | | Reducing energy wastage within the home will |
| important step to helping to tackle the | | | | mean that there will be financial gains, |
| climate challenge. Most washing machines will | | | | which is a good incentive for most |
| also have an economy setting, to save both | | | | households. Collective responsibility needs |
| water and energy used for heating washes. | | | | to be taken, so this is a great way to start. |
| Clearly, every manufacturer is taking a keen | | | | Charity starts at home after all, and saving |
| interest in somehow reducing energy wastage | | | | the planet can't be bad either! |