Leading sustainability and money saving consultancy platform, SaveMoneyCutCarbon, has recently launched a free app that helps consumers identify where the largest amounts of energy are being wasted in their homes, and subsequently suggests eco-friendly and sustainable changes.
The Android and iOS solution, SaveMoneyCutCarbon Home, provides a personalised view of the products in the home that contribute to a high carbon footprint – from energy inefficient appliances to practices that run up your bills.
The app launches amidst the worst energy bill crisis this country has ever seen and is hitting UK household budgets harder than any country in western Europe. It was recently reported by the World Bank that the raft of government schemes on offer to families across the UK are too expensive to fund and will eventually, have adverse outcomes for the millions using the initiatives. It also said households could save up to £20 billion per year if they were incentivised to invest in energy saving measures like solar panels. SaveMoneyCutCarbon's new app goes some way in encouraging households to begin their sustainability journey and invest in smarter, long term changes.
Based on the finding that 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions originate from households, the app is the first to identify the worst domestic energy and waste culprits through its ‘Swap Shop’ tool. The service offers an infinite number of sustainable replacements that can reduce your energy bills and other monthly expenses by hundreds per year.
According to SaveMoneyCutCarbon’s sustainable living expert, Kirsty Brandon, the five problem areas that are the worst contributors to a high carbon footprint include food waste, toiletries, cling film, plastic toothbrushes, and inefficient lighting. The acute level of household waste contributes to 55% of all plastic dumped in UK landfill sites and a further eight million tonnes ending up in the world’s oceans. The launch of SaveMoneyCutCarbon Home is demonstrative of how technology is transforming the sustainability arena, with the app now available via Google Play or the Apple App Store. How it works After downloading the free app, users will need first to create a SaveMoneyCutCarbon account. They can then browse a regularly updated library of ‘Learn & Save’ articles, covering all sustainable savings, and hot topics, as well as have access to the ‘Swap Shop’ tool. Subsequently, account holders can gain rewards once a swap is made via the ‘Planet Points’ programme. The app closes the sustainable savings circle for the user, as the app’s Impact Statement functionality goes one step further than a traditional carbon footprint calculator and shows the user how much money, energy, water, and carbon they’ve saved over time. The app delivers an extensive overview of education backed swaps from the 'Learn, Shop and Save' programme, for example, for each traditional light bulb you swap for an LED alternative you will be using 90% less energy. In landmark national research, commissioned by SaveMoneyCutCarbon, it was revealed that well over a third of the nation (39%) is severely affected by the monumental rise in energy bills but haven’t done anything about it because people don’t know where to begin. A further 36% admitted that they don’t bother making sustainable changes within their homes as they believe it is too expensive. Kirsty Brandon commented on the money saving potential of sustainable swaps in light of their research, ‘There is the notion that sustainable equals expensive. However, SaveMoneyCutCarbon hosts a wealth of eco friendly products, which cost the same or even less than their traditional counterparts. For example, swapping your traditional kitchen roll for a reusable bamboo version can save you around £60 a year. Swapping your shower head for an eco friendly option not only uses 60% less water, but it will save you £40 a year on energy bills. The best part is your shower experience will be just as good as before!’
