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