Energy saving tips from the champs for March

Date Published: 31 March 2023

Sustainability Champions have been sharing weekly energy saving tips since January that, so far, could save a typical household £544 per year. 

On a weekly basis, energy saving “tips from the champs” have been shared on our internal Yammer’s Climate Change and Sustainability channel to save you money and reduce the carbon footprint of your home. Alongside the advice, there is an offer to check any energy saving tips you may have, which could also be included in the future posts. 

So far, this year, the posts have shown various methods to save money in the home up to a potential £544 per year. Here's the abridged tips: 
  • £20 per year for swapping just one bath a week with a 4-minute shower 
  • £95 per year for switching to four-minute showers entirely 
  • £70 per year for reducing use of the tumble dryer 
  • £70 per year for increasing your water tank’s insulation from 25mm to 80mm thick 
  • £125 per year from draught-proofing around windows, doors, the floor, or through the chimney. 
  • £45 per year by using an efficient, regulated shower head, that will also reduce the amount of water you use by around 40 litres per day. 
  • £25 per year by turning off lights when not in use—but watch out if you’re not using LEDS. 
  • £65 per year by not using standby and turning off all your appropriate appliances instead—not the fridge or freezer. 
  • £29 per year switching to 30°C washes. But, be careful with those high-risk items; see NHS’s website for details. 
These are just the top notes of the advice shared on the sustainability channel. Head to Yammer and search for the hashtag #TipsFromTheChamps to see the full advice.

Aside from the savings, the Sustainability Champions know that the topic can be a bit dry, so approach each post with fact and fun. So, if you want the unabridged, latest energy saving advice with whimsy, on a weekly basis, with the opportunity to ask your own energy saving questions, head to Yammer’s Climate Change and Sustainability channel

The Sustainability Champions Programme was launched in September 2022 to lead and support teams and services towards the council's sustainability aspirations and commitments. 

The Council Plan 2022 - 2027 highlights the climate change goals that the authority is aiming for. The Carbon Budget figure is set each year to keep the council on track for its commitment to reduce annual emissions by 75% by 2030 and Net Zero by 2045—using 2010/11 as a baseline year. 

Recently, the council set its latest carbon budget and a maximum of 44,152 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent has been budgeted for 2023/24—measured against a baseline of 86,155 tonnes emitted by the council back in 2010/11. 

Aberdeenshire Council was the first authority in Scotland to develop and approve a carbon budget back in 2017 and has successfully reduced emissions each year in line with the ambitious targets set into law by the Scottish Government. 

Homeworking emissions were also added for the 2020 to 2021 reporting year of the Carbon Budget. Advice to reduce homeworking energy consumption—which would also save people money—often translates well as advice for reducing emissions in operational buildings. 

Other goals also include increasing the quantity and quality of recycling collected in Aberdeenshire while reducing the volume of unnecessary waste going to landfill and supporting and promoting sustainable and active travel. 

If you are interested in becoming a Sustainability Champion or would like to know more, contact Sustainability & Climate Change Officer Crawford Paris (crawford.paris@aberdeenshire.gov.uk).