Climate Positive Methods Of Saving Energy In 2016
Find out how you can reduce your own carbon footprint either at home or at work, with some of these cost-effective energy efficient technologies and devices.
The reduction of energy and carbon emissions is a long term goal for many types of organisation, from the Government to small businesses and even homeowners. The Carbon Trust states that electricity costs alone have doubled in the past decade. This is a concern to many, but energy efficient technology allows the possibility of saving us money in the short term and to be ‘climate positive’ in the long term.
Not so long ago, energy efficient technologies existed but they were considered to be an expensive option by many. Nowadays, we’re much luckier to have cost-effective energy efficient technologies. Here are some ideas that business and home owners might consider implementing.
LED Lights
This is a great example of a technology that has radically dropped in price. LED light bulbs are now 90% cheaper than they were ten years ago. The amount of light that they emit has increased five-fold during this time and as a result there has been a mini revolution in electrical lighting services. LED light bulbs typically use 80% less energy than halogen bulbs and 25% less than CFLs. There’s little excuse not to make the switch, so consider upgrading existing lights to the latest LED technology today.
Key Card Technology In Hotels
Paying hotel guests aren’t usually particularly focused on their energy usage. You may have noticed requests from the hotel you’re staying at to hang up your towels unless you really need them changing, in order to save energy on laundry. However, many hotels are now employing the use of key card technology to operate the room’s electricity system. Reports estimate that this is reducing a hotel’s energy output by between 20-30%.
Heating And Cooling Technologies
The idea of geo-exchange and geothermal technologies is to use the natural energy that the environment provides, either from outside or underground. This energy is then harnessed and used to heat or cool a building with systems such as pumps or underfloor heating.
Samsung also show continued dedication to energy saving with their air conditioning products, which typically use digital inverters and single user modes to ensure the minimum output of energy.
Electric Vehicles
Electric cars and vans are a fantastic way to reduce fuel emissions. It is estimated that an electric car uses four times less energy than a car with an internal combustion engine. Whilst the design of electric ‘plug-in’ cars have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, they’re still quite an expensive option for many. Luckily, the Government is so committed to the reduction of carbon emissions that it runs a subsidy scheme for those who wish to purchase an electric car. Drivers can claim up to 35% of the cost of a new electric car with a maximum grant of £5,000 available.
Internet Of Things And Analytics
Last but not least is the ‘Internet of Things’ and its ability to link up objects and devices for analytical purposes. This is incredibly important in the world of energy efficient technology as it is a means of providing information about energy activity. Devices such as thermostats, smart meters and sensors are now able to communicate with analytics software to give users and businesses much more information about their current energy consumption and where they could save money.
The Climate Change Act of 2008 provided clear targets for an 80% reduction of carbon emissions by 2050. Whether we see a focus on solar, wind or another source of energy altogether, we’ll likely see many more types of emerging energy efficient technologies before this date. The next thirty-four years are going to be interesting.