ENVIRONMENTAL TIPS

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ENVIRONMENT

AT HOME

Electricity

• Make the most of natural light.
• Install independent switches to turn on only the lights you need and replace traditional light bulbs with low-energy ones which, although more expensive, last much longer.
• Avoid leaving the light on in empty rooms.
• If you have outdoor lighting in your home, e.g., in the garden, control it with a programmer or twilight switch.
• Use fluorescent tubes instead of traditional light bulbs in rooms that need more light (for example, in the kitchen), as they last up to 10 times longer.
• Review the subscribed power to avoid unwanted “power cuts” that deteriorate the installation.

Appliances

• It you're going to be away for an extended period of time, unplug the TV set, the sound system and the DVD. Even if they're not being used, they still consume electricity while plugged in the wall socket (standby).
• Choose an efficient electrical household appliance to save energy. Energy labels enable you to compare the different models available and identify low-energy appliances. The letters A, B and C, with three different shades of green, identify the more energy efficient models.
• With a washing machine, 90% of the energy consumed is used to heat the water; by reducing the washing temperature from 60º to 30º, you can cut energy use by 50%. A-labelled washing machines will help you cut your energy bill.
• With air conditioners, try not to set the thermostat at a temperature below 25º. Your home will not cool faster, and you may catch a cold.

Reduce reuse recycle

• Reduce your plastic bag use. There are more ecological options, like using a shopping trolley bag or fabric bags.
• Avoid excess use of wrappings and containers, especially white foam trays used, among other things, to package food, since they are extremely contaminating and non-biodegradable.
• Use objects such as yoghurt containers or blown light bulbs as decorative items in your home, painting them or combining them with coloured paper.
• Choose recycled paper. This will avoid the need to cut down trees and contribute to the preservation of our forests. Try to print your documents double sided.
• Give toys that don't use batteries. As well as promoting participation, you'll avoid the impact caused by their indiscriminate dumping.
• Use glass, not metal containers, as they can be reused easily.

Saving water

• Install tap aerators. These devices mix water with air and replace regular tap filters, enabling you to consume up to 70% less water.
• A shower is preferable to a bath, as you can save around 90 or 100 litres of water. Turn off the tap while you soap in the shower and you'll save around 30 litres each time.
• Turn off the tap while you're brushing your teeth, you can save between 15 and 20 litres.
• When you wash the dishes by hand, don't do it under running water, use the plug or a washing up bowl.
• Fit a mixer valve to the water heater outlet and you'll get hot water at a constant temperature: greater convenience for you and lower energy use.
• Use the dishwasher when it's completely full. At half-load, use short or economy wash programs. If you need to rinse the dishes or the cutlery before they go in the dishwasher, use cold water.

Air conditioning and heating

• Choose appliances with inverter technology: you'll save up to 25% compared to traditional systems.
• In summer you can save over 30% in energy costs if: you install awnings and close the blinds and curtains when the sun is shining. This way you'll keep the hot air out, and the walls and ceilings will be effectively insulated.
• Fit adhesive draught excluders to doors, windows and shutter boxes. You'll save between 5 and 10 per cent on your energy bill.
• If the heating has been on during the day, at night you can turn it off or use the thermostat to reduce the temperature.
• Bleed your radiators every winter before you use them. This simple operation will enable the heat to be transmitted more efficiently.
• Fit double glazing or double window systems. You'll cut heat losses practically in half.

AT WORK

Saving energy

• Install presence detectors in transit areas: corridors, toilets, photocopier, etc., so that the lights only switch on when necessary.
• Fit fluorescent tubes whenever possible, as they consume less energy than traditional light bulbs, buy only in rooms where they will not be turned on and off continuously, as consumption is higher when they are switched on.
• In the bathroom, replace electric hand driers with rolls of paper towels.
• Set the computer, photocopier, printer, etc. to “energy saving” mode whenever possible.
• Activate the “toner saving” mode when you print or photocopy , if this option is available.
• In the case of brief pauses while using the computer, suspend the PC's screen: you'll save energy and avoid having to reboot the computer.
• Avoid using the elevator if you're going one floor up or down.

Reduce reuse recycle

• Place a paper container near printers and photocopiers to recycle the paper.
• Use both sides of the paper when you write, print or photocopy. Use recycled paper.
• Reuse the envelopes for internal communications.
• Always revise the texts on the computer before sending them to the printer to avoid making unnecessary copies.
• Computer networks for internal communication (intranet) and e-mail enable you to send and receive information without having to use paper. Use them!
• There are eco-labels that use symbols and legends such as “ecological paper”, “chlorine-free”, “does not damage the ozone layer”, “environmentally friendly”, etc. to help you choose better, non-contaminating and recyclable products. You'll find them in paper, plastic and cleaning products.

Saving water

• Install timer taps (you press a button and the water flows for a specific period of time, before turning off automatically) or presence detector systems.
• Choose tanks with two-stage outflow devices, low-consumption tanks or tanks with limited capacity.
• Use glasses or bottles to drink water periodically, instead of going to the bathroom and doing it with the tap on.
• If you detect leaks, breakdowns or losses in machines (such as the coffee machine), taps, toilets or pipes, report them so that they can be repaired as soon as possible.
• Install one or more meters sectored by usage to improve water consumption control at the workplace.

Air conditioning and heating

• Keep the radiators and air conditioning outlets free of obstacles that may cause climate control losses.
• Fit thermostatic valves to radiators and programmable thermostats. These solutions are easy to fit and quickly pay for themselves owing to the considerable energy saving (between 8 and 13 per cent) they provide.
• Close the radiators in rooms that are not being used.
• Whenever possible, or when the ideal temperature is reached, turn off the ventilation systems or radiators.

IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

The open air

• When you go on an excursion in the countryside, use the marked tracks and the designated camping areas. Do not camp in the wild. This causes problems by indiscriminately digging ditches or making holes in the ground. Try to restrict yourself to the pre-established camping areas.
• Observe fire restrictions.
• If you intend to have a meal in the countryside, take reusable materials : instead of non-returnable boxes and cans, use paper bags or glass containers. Before you leave, don't forget to clean the site.
• Don't disturb the wildlife with excess noise.
• Be careful of fountains, rivers and other watercourses. Don't leave soap , detergent, contaminating products or any type of waste.

Transport

• Use public transport to go to your destination whenever possible.
• Use a bicycle or try walking. It's healthier and doesn't pollute.
• Avoid sudden acceleration and braking at traffic lights and keep a constant speed. Above 100 km/h, fuel consumption increases and contributes to damage the environment.
• Check the tyre pressure periodically; this is one of the most determinant factors in a vehicle's energy consumption.
• Stop the engine in traffic jams or when the vehicle is stationary.
• Share your vehicle when you go to work or use your company's transport plan .

Noise pollution

• From 55 and up to 75 decibels, the level of sound emissions is considered to be noise. 65 dB are reached with a vacuum cleaner or a TV set at high volume. A refuse lorry reaches 75 dB. Up to 90 dB can be reached in a traffic jam.
• Look after your car maintenance, especially the silencer.
• Use the horn only when necessary or in case of emergency.
• In jobs where the noise level exceeds 80dB, workers must be informed of the potential risks to their hearing and any preventive measures that need to be taken (hearing protection).
• Home acoustic insulation systems can be applied to the entire house or to specific rooms (to soundproof a wall, the floor, the ceiling, etc.).
• The legislation establishes hours when sound cannot exceed a certain level of decibels. Take into account the annoyance that you can cause by emitting loud sounds.

Light pollution

AT INDIVIDUAL LEVEL:

• Keep indoor and outdoor lights turned off when they're not needed.
• Use suitable low-energy bulbs according to actual lighting needs.

AT COLLECTIVE LEVEL:

• Demand the implementation of policies supporting and promoting alternative energies.
• Measures as simple as reducing the level of monument lighting are usually very effective.

AT EDUCATIONAL LEVEL:

• Training for professionals such as architects, civil builders, designers, engineers, environmental experts, etc. should ideally include advice on adequate and rational use of light.
• Educational plans should include environmental subjects and promote contamination studies and maps.