You've Got The Power!

It's hard to believe that the words 'carbon footprint' weren't in our vocabulary two years ago! Awareness of environmental issues is at an all time high, but you might be asking yourself if you can make a difference. Well you can, and in this issue EM provides further suggestions as to how you can help create a greener world.

Appliance watch

Dishwashers

If you're considering updating an appliance, why not buy one that is more energy efficient? It will save you money on your energy bill, be kinder to the environment, and surprisingly they often cost the same as their less efficient competitors.

Energy labels help you make an informed choice by allowing you to easily compare the energy consumption of different models.

1. Model/Manufacturer
   This shows the manufacturers name/brand and the specific model name/number.

2. Energy Efficiency
   The A to G scale shows the energy efficiency of this product, where "A" is the most efficient and "G" the least efficient. Consumers are advised to purchase the most efficient model possible e.g. "A" or "B" which may cost more to buy but will cost less to run than an "F" or "G".

3. Energy Consumption
   This is the machines actual energy consumption expressed in kWh for a standard cycle using a cold fill where the kWh is the standard unit of electricity reported on electricity bills. Buyers are reminded that actual consumption will depend on how they use the appliance.

4. Cleaning Performance
   Indicates the cleanliness of wash based on manufacturers standard cycle where "A" is higher and "G" lower performance.

5. Drying Performance
   Indicates the machines drying performance from "A" (higher) and "G" (lower) for the manufacturers standard cycle.

6. Standard Place Settings
   This gives an indication of the machine's capacity in terms of the number of standard place settings that can fit in the machine.

7. Water Consumption Lt.
   This indicates the total water consumption per cycle based on a manufacturer's standard cycle. Energy efficient dishwashers typically use significantly less water, meaning less heat is required and less water is drained.

8. Noise db (A)
   These are the noise levels in db (A) or decibels reached during a standard cycle. Manufacturers are not compelled to include this information.

9. The European Ecolabel
   The Green Flower indicates that the product is among the best in its class judged against a range of environmental criteria. Manufacturers can voluntarily apply for the mark, which may appear on the label or elsewhere on the appliance.

   Next issue...fridge freezers. EM

   Did you know...

   ESB hatcheries are now Ireland's largest by far, launching one and a half million fingerlings and smolts into Irish rivers last year. This has gone a long way toward helping to restock our rivers with salmon, trout and eel.

5 ways to greener food & wine

1. Miles away
   Food imported by air is a huge contributor to global warming. Kilo for kilo, a kiwi fruit from New Zealand will have created five times its own weight in carbon dioxide emissions by the time it arrives in the UK. Wherever you are in the world, try to minimise your food miles by choosing seasonal and local.



2. Fill a bottle
   Join bottle-refilling schemes offered by some local stores and farm shops. They will fill your existing bottles of oil, vinegar and other kitchen essential to save you having to buy and throw away glass bottles. Some beauty product companies also operate a refilling option so you can bring back your original bottle.



3. Get the low down
   Providing you buy locally, fruit, vegetables and crops require far less energy than meat production. So try eating lower on the food chain. Even non-vegetarians can limit the amount of meat they eat easily; for example, by choosing it only every other day. It's healthier for you too!



4. Don't throw away the plonk
   Reduce wine waste with a vacuum cork, so you don't have to throw away surplus wine if you don't finish the bottle. Opened bottles should be used within three days and kept sealed in the refrigerator to slow down the oxidation process. You can also buy special champagne stoppers to help preserve the bubbles.



5. Get loose
   Next time you're in the fruit and veggie section of your supermarket, put fruit and vegetable into your basket loose rather than automatically reaching for a plastic bag. If you really need one, keep it and reuse next time.

Save your energy in the...Bathroom

It's all about water in the bathroom - but there are plenty of ways to save on the energy we use to heat it.

• A typical shower uses only one fifth of the energy required to produce a full bath. So, treat a bath as a luxury and shower instead when you can.
• Use a timer on your immersion heater so that you heat water only when you need it.
• A thermostatic mixing valve can be used to set the water at the same temperature every time the shower is turned on.
• Think about fitting a spray tap. It delivers as little as a cup of water for every _ bucket that an ordinary tap delivers, but still allows you to wash in the same way.
• A lagging jacket on your hot water cylinder will keep water hotter for longer and pay for itself in 2-3 months. It is even better if the cylinder is factory insulated.
• If your central heating boiler is heating your hot water, you should fit a cylinder thermostat which will help maintain the hot water at the temperature you selected and avoid unnecessary wastage of energy
• Never leave hot water running unnecessarily.

For further information on how you can make a difference, room by room, visit www.powerofone.ie.