Cleaner Air for Scotland

As part of this year’s Clean Air Day celebrations, our team joined forces with Glasgow Council to highlight how air pollution is a challenge that affects us all, not only in terms of our personal health but the health of our environment. The good news is that air pollution can be reduced, and that Home Energy Scotland can help you play a part in improving the quality of the air we breathe.

There are a number of actions you can take – at home and on the move – to help improve air quality and to protect yourself and your family from air pollution.  One of the key things to remember is that every little helps. We can collectively make a difference to the air we all breathe. Here are some top tips for creating cleaner air and helping you set Scotland on the road to a healthier future.

At home

Heating systems for homes and other buildings can be a source of air pollution. Combustion of fuels such as coal, oil, gas and wood, sometimes described as biomass, all result in emissions to air. 

Some of the things you can do to reduce emissions to air from domestic heating are:

• Be as energy efficient as possible by insulating your home.
• Make sure your boiler is serviced each year to help keep it burning fuel cleanly. This will reduce pollution and prevent carbon monoxide from being created. It will also make sure that your boiler isn’t wasting fuel, and money.
• Use electric heating powered by non-combustion forms of renewable energy.

Out and about

One of the key sources of air pollution in Scotland is road traffic. Some of the things you can do to help reduce emissions from road traffic are:

• Use your car less and use public transport if you can
• Walk or cycle, which is good for your health too
• Car share whenever possible
• Use a low emission vehicle such as an electric or hybrid car
• Avoid driving during congested peak traffic periods

Embracing greener travel is easier that you think

Visitors at Glasgow’s recent Clean Air Day event jumped at the chance to trial electric bikes, with many surprised by news that using an electric bike to replace a bus, train or car commute even once a week is not only environmentally friendly but can reduce your travel costs, and provide you with the 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week recommended by the NHS. 

More good news: if you are considering purchasing an ebike the Energy Saving Trust offers an interest-free loan to help with initial costs – call us on 0808 808 2282 to find out more.