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Alternatives at Home
Under the Greener Homes Scheme run by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) grants are available for a number of alternative home heating systems such as biomass stoves and boilers, heat pumps and solar panels for hot water. www.sei.ie. Switching to an alternative heating source will not reduce your fuel bills unless you first of all insulate the house and cut out the infiltration of cold air and leakages of warm air. A Building Energy Rating by a trained energy rating assessor will help to locate leakages. www.sei.ie. Licking the back of your hand and passing it around the edges of windows and doors on a windy day works almost as well!
The types of alternative energy systems on the market can be bewildering for the home owner or home builder, with conflicting advice in the media. For good advice see www.igireland.com. Suppliers and useful articles can also be found in the magazine Construct Ireland. www.constructireland.ie
You can also reduce your ecological footprint by reducing and recycling household waste, composting green waste and growing your own vegetables. You will be cutting out the 'food miles' and carbon emissions from transporting food from the farm to the supermarket, the food is fresher and more nutritious and you gain on the exercise it's cheaper than the gym. Pester your local Council for an allotment. Support your local farmer's market. For solutions for sustainable living see www.permaculture.co.uk.
Alternatives for your Car
If you are buying a new car there are several hybrid or biofuel cars on the market.
Use public transport, cycle or walk to keep fit. Hire a car or taxi for occasional journeys.
Alternatives to Flying
Beat the hassle of flying and take the train. Make the journey part of the holiday. For information on train timetables through Europe and beyond check out www.seat61.com.
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