We're in a climate emergency, and it’s time to take matters into our own hands. There's a lot we can do to reduce our carbon footprint. But did you know that even small changes at home, like when you choose to run your appliances, can make a big impact on your household’s emissions? 

That's where modern technology - like the smart meter app Loop - comes in to make things easier. Loop is a free tool that helps you reduce your energy use and shows you the most eco-friendly times to power your home. The greenest energy is the energy you don’t use but when you use energy also matters, as energy is cleaner or dirtier at different times of the day.

Loop has always helped households to improve their energy efficiency. On average our users reduce electricity use by 16% and gas by 10%. This saves money but also reduces household emissions by around 250kg CO2e each year for an average dual-fuel household.  

Now EcoMeter, our energy pollution tracker, provides a new way to increase that impact further with very little effort.  As well as focusing on how much energy you use, now you can also focus on when you use it as that too makes a difference.

How? EcoMeter provides real-time information about how clean or dirty gird energy is, so you can make smart green choices about when to switch on your energy-hungry appliances, reduce your impact and ease your eco-anxiety in the process. It’s simple. 

Understanding Grid Carbon Intensity

Before we dive into what the Loop app can do, let's break down what 'grid carbon intensity' means. This is the measurement that underpins EcoMeter. It helps us understand how much carbon dioxide (CO2) is released for each unit of electricity we use. If the National Grid has high carbon intensity, that means most of the energy on the grid at that time is supplied by fossil fuels that emit a lot of CO2 when they're burned. On the flip side, low grid carbon intensity means cleaner energy sources like solar and wind dominate the mix.

Empowering Change With Loop

EcoMeter takes this understanding to the next level by providing real-time updates on grid carbon intensity. It acts like a snapshot, showing you how "clean" or "dirty" your energy consumption is right now. With this knowledge in hand, you have the power to manage your carbon footprint and make thoughtful decisions.

EcoMeter Explained  

The background colour of the app homepage changes in a gradient from green to red, representing the current carbon intensity level.

Green indicates very low pollution, while red signifies high pollution. You can read more about it in this Knowledge Base article. By shifting energy-intensive tasks at home, like running your washing machine or charging your electric vehicle, you can do your bit for the planet and cut your household’s carbon emissions.

Harness a greener lifestyle with Loop in 4 simple steps.

1. Smart Scheduling: The Loop’s app's real-time carbon insights empower you to rethink when you run your energy-hungry appliances. There is also a 24-hour forecast accessible via a card on the homepage. By timing tasks strategically to when the app is showing green for low pollution levels, you can minimise your carbon impact.
2. Inform Your Switching to Outside Peak Hours: Peak demand times generally coincide with high grid carbon intensity. However, delaying usage until after peak times isn’t automatically the cleanest time to use energy. The Loop app's real-time data and 24-hour forecast lets you identify exactly when cleaner energy sources dominate. Shifting your energy use to these periods promotes a healthier grid.
3. Cultivate Energy Awareness: As you monitor your energy data with Loop, you become more aware of your energy consumption patterns. This heightened awareness encourages energy-saving behaviours, such as turning off lights and unplugging standby appliances when not in use. It all adds up, and on average Loop users cut their electricity bill by 16% and their gas by 10%.
4. Advocate for Change: The Loop app equips you with factual insights to spark conversations about carbon intensity and sustainable energy practices. As you share your knowledge, you play a vital role in nurturing a global mindset shift toward rethinking how and when you use energy. Knowledge is power and we all have the power to set an example for others to follow.
   

A Greener Tomorrow

With Loop's EcoMeter, your smartphone becomes a tool for sustainability. It empowers you to make informed decisions, nurture energy-efficient routines, and ultimately reduce your carbon footprint. Through these actions, you play a part in the global fight against climate change and help shape a brighter future.

Armed with real-time insights into grid carbon intensity, you hold the key to impactful changes in your everyday energy usage. This is the start of your journey to a net-zero home, and a commitment to the health of our planet. A greener tomorrow starts today!

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