Your Carbon Footprint
Did you know that following a recent survey, on average there are 14 cars
per kilometre in France but in England, which is only about one fifth the
size of France, there are 65 cars per kilometre! Also, the average
speed of traffic in London is 12mph - a cyclist can travel faster!
Want to do your bit for the environment and reduce the amount of
carbon that you are putting into the atmosphere?
Here are some simple guidelines that anyone can employ:-
Motoring
Change into 2nd gear as soon as the car starts rolling.
Always keep engine speed to a maximum of 3,500rpm - this is where most
car engines develop their maximum torque/efficiency.
Note: Driving at 80mph instead of 70mph increases fuel
consumption by 25% and increases exhaust emissions by 33% !
To slow down, it's preferable to use your brakes and NOT the engine
and gears - replacement brake pads are cheaper than clutches and gearboxes!
Heavy braking wastes energy, so think ahead and slow down before having
to slam them on!
Always maintain your tyre pressures - air naturally leaks out of ALL
tyres so you should check pressures MONTHLY.
If you must have a 4x4 vehicle, don't drive in 4-wheel drive(4WD) mode
unless absolutely necessary. Big noisy knobbly tyres and 4WD will drastically
increase fuel consumption!
Remove all roof carriers, ski racks and cycle carriers when not
required - upsets the car's aerodynamics.
Note: Drag(wind resistance) is not linear but increases
by the square(double) of the surface area!
Don't drive with your windows open - upsets the car's aerodynamics.
Don't drive with your lights on if they are not necessary - increases
the load on the alternator.
Note: There is a legal requirement for all headlights to be 2ft
above the ground - why do you think some sports cars have pop-up headlights!
Therefore, it is illegal to use foglights when it is NOT foggy or snowing.
Don't use the air-conditioning system unless absolutely necessary - adds load
to the alternator.
Note: In a lot of modern cars nowadays, you can drive around
with headlights, foglights, air-conditioning, electric windows and stereos on
but how long do you think your battery will last! Unless the car has a large
output alternator, it will soon go flat!
If you have a car fitted with a computer, switch it to 'average
mpg' and keep an eye on it - you will be amazed at what you can achieve by
driving sensibly!
Most car journeys are no more than 10miles! Ask yourself if they are
really necessary and if there is an alternative, i.e., public transport or
cycling. If you really want to reduce your carbon footprint, forget the bus
and get your bike out - then we(you, me and the NHS) will all benefit!
Lastly, please don't book that flight abroad because aircraft
are the biggest polluters of all! If you must take your holidays in Europe, take
your car and drive sensibly or better still, take the train.
At home
The following are placed in order of cost - cheapest first.
Turn the heating thermostat down one degree and wear an extra layer of
clothing if required.
Replace all light bulbs with energy saving versions - there are all
sorts to suit every type of light fitting.
Note: If you have to use the new super-bright halogen lights,
don't fit the recessed variety for two reasons. Firstly, they over-heat and
consequently fail quicker and secondly they throw heat into the loft space
- better to fit the swivel-spot versions and keep the heat in the room!
Double up your loft insulation - you can never have too much! Don't
forget to add insulation to the access door.
Install cavity wall insulation because there is more wall than windows
in the majority of houses and as heating costs rise, the installation cost
will soon be recovered.
Fit double-glazed windows for increased heat saving, sound insulation
and improved security.
If you haven't got one - add an enclosed porch. This cuts down heat loss
through the front door and gives you somewhere to put the wellies, umbrellas
and wet coats!
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