Carbon & Energy

Progressing towards net-zero at B&Q.

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At B&Q, we're committed to reducing our impact on the planet to help build a better world. So, as part of the Build A Life Project, we're improving what we do behind the scenes: from how we transport goods to how we use electricity. Helping build a better world.  

99% of our electricity in the UK and Ireland comes from renewable sources. We started the process to switch to renewable energy sources in 2017, and this is one of the actions that has helped us to reduce our carbon footprint by over 53% since our baseline year (2016/17)..  

Our parent company Kingfisher set a challenging target to reduce the group carbon footprint by 40% by 2025, compared to our 2016 baseline. At B&Q we’ve actually achieved a 53% reduction so far by:  

  • Changing our lighting to efficient LEDs  

  • Working to ensure our stores are heated efficiently 

  • Switching to biogas heating in distribution centres and offices 

  • Fitting solar photovoltaic panels to many of our stores and distribution centres

We’re also helping to make it easier for our customers to have more sustainable homes by stocking more energy efficient products and offering advice and services. Our tips and advice on our energy saving hub (insert link) can help make it easier for our customers to make more informed choices that could help to reduce, prevent the loss and control energy use in their homes, as well as potentially saving money.  

In 2022, we launched our Energy Saving Service giving free personalised guidance on everything from what products customers might need, where to get them and how to install them. As part of the service, we can help customers assess the energy efficiency of their homes and advise on how to make homes more efficient, potentially saving money.

6 ways to reduce energy use at home

  • 1. Use heating controls to maximise efficiency without sacrificing comfort.

    Installing and correctly using a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves could reduce a home's carbon emissions by 315kg a year according to Energy Saving Trust.

  • 2. Changing to LED lighting can help to reduce electricity bills.

    LEDs are much more affordable now and have much long use lives than traditional filament or ‘CFL’ bulbs. They’re more efficient to run and you’ll have to replace them less often as well.

  • 3. Better insulation and draught proofing means that our homes are more likely to get to a comfortable temperature on a freezing cold day, as well as feeling warmer.

    Investing in loft insulation, filling gaps in window and door frames and the humble draught excluder can all make a difference to how comfortable our homes feel and how much it costs to keep them that way. 

  • 4. Check that your fridge is set to between 3 and 5°C. to reduce the cost of cooling it to a lower temperature than is needed.

    If you need to replace your fridge or freezer always go for the most energy efficient model you can, based on the Energy Performance Certificate that will be available on the machine in store or the online product description.

  • 5. Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when you have a full load.

    Most of the energy used in a washing appliance is in heating the water, so the less often you use your machine the better. If you can, you should also use the ‘Eco’ setting on your washing machine or dishwasher and choose a lower washing temperature for even more energy efficiency 

  • 6. Turn off appliances rather than leaving them on standby

    Using smart plugs means you can switch off appliances from your smart device and set timers for when you need them to be on.  

1. Use heating controls to maximise efficiency without sacrificing comfort.

Installing and correctly using a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves could reduce a home's carbon emissions by 315kg a year according to Energy Saving Trust.

2. Changing to LED lighting can help to reduce electricity bills.

LEDs are much more affordable now and have much long use lives than traditional filament or ‘CFL’ bulbs. They’re more efficient to run and you’ll have to replace them less often as well.

3. Better insulation and draught proofing means that our homes are more likely to get to a comfortable temperature on a freezing cold day, as well as feeling warmer.

Investing in loft insulation, filling gaps in window and door frames and the humble draught excluder can all make a difference to how comfortable our homes feel and how much it costs to keep them that way. 

4. Check that your fridge is set to between 3 and 5°C. to reduce the cost of cooling it to a lower temperature than is needed.

If you need to replace your fridge or freezer always go for the most energy efficient model you can, based on the Energy Performance Certificate that will be available on the machine in store or the online product description.

5. Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when you have a full load.

Most of the energy used in a washing appliance is in heating the water, so the less often you use your machine the better. If you can, you should also use the ‘Eco’ setting on your washing machine or dishwasher and choose a lower washing temperature for even more energy efficiency 

6. Turn off appliances rather than leaving them on standby

Using smart plugs means you can switch off appliances from your smart device and set timers for when you need them to be on.  

Eco retrofit in action

In 2012 B&Q renovated a 1890s terraced house to evidence a reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions.

In 2012 we embarked on a project to renovate an end-terrace house built in the 1890s. We were able to achieve an estimated reduction of 60% in energy bills at the time and a 69% in carbon emissions. This was achieved through: 

  • Installing new products and new ideas – including cork board external wall insulation and housing an air source heat pump in a ventilated shed to reduce noise. 

  • Craning into place a prefabricated, super insulated loft conversion unit.  

  • Fitting a front door made from wood with a sandwiching layer of insulation. 

  • Installing chimney balloons to prevent draughts coming through the unused fireplaces without causing damp issues.

The project helped us to improve our advice to customers on how to save energy and potentially money on bills as well as identifying new products for our ranges.

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