Greener Livin
Your energy performance certificate
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) shows how energy efficient your property is by giving it a rating between A and G, with A being very energy efficient and G being not very energy efficient.
New build homes tend to have higher EPC ratings due to modern building standards and technologies, whereas older homes tend to have lower ratings around D or below. An EPC rating also gives a reflection of how high or low the energy bills and associated carbon emissions may be for your home.
The Energy Saving Trust have further information on their website.
Energy saving
Using your energy at home more efficiently has never been more important, given the recent rises in the cost of living. Being more aware of the energy you are using and how you could reduce your usage could help save you money at the same time as reducing your carbon footprint.
Here's some helpful links to actions you can take to save more energy in your home:
Water saving
We all need to take action and reduce our water usage. Saving water in your home has a multitude of benefits – it can help save you money on your bills, secure future water supplies for your community, and help protect the surrounding environment.
Small changes, such as taking a shorter shower, turning off running taps when brushing your teeth, and setting your dishwasher to an eco-setting can all make a difference.
Northumbrian Water have a tool to help calculate how much water and energy you are using.
Waste and recycling
Effective household and garden waste management is key to limiting your environmental impact. By following the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle, you can play your part in ensuring no unnecessary waste is sent to landfill.
Durham County Council have some great information on waste and recycling, including information on what goes in which bin, and how to cut down on your waste.
Energy efficient appliances
Utilising appliances in your home that are more energy efficient will make a real difference to your energy usage. You can easily distinguish more efficient appliances by their energy label – a rating between A and G is given to each appliance, with A being very energy efficient and G being not very energy efficient.
Air quality and ventilation
Good ventilation helps to control how much moisture is lingering around your home and also helps to regulate good quality air flow. This helps to remove condensation and subsequent damp and mould which can be bad for your health.
Visit our page for more information and how you can manage damp, condensation on mould in your home.
Outdoor spaces
Making the most out of your garden/outdoor space can be of benefit to both you, and the environment. We are in an ecological emergency and all need to play a part in protecting the natural land and wildlife around us.
Durham Wildlife Trust have some brilliant resources to help you take meaningful action for your local wildlife – from making a garden for wildlife, building a hedgehog home, creating a vertical garden, to information on the best plants for bees and pollinators.