Energy Efficiency Week 2008
Everyone can do their bit
Saving the planet sounds like a tall order but even the smallest of changes could make a big difference, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
20-24 October 2008 is Energy Efficiency Week and everyone is being encouraged to do their bit to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions – one of the main greenhouse gases thought to contribute to climate change.
Home improvement measures such as insulating your loft, filling gaps between your floor boards and putting a jacket on your hot water tank can cut your fuel bills.
In the office, little things like switching off your monitor and using your desktop printer less all helps to make a difference.
Top ten tips to help make a difference:
- Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room temperature by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10 percent. You could save around £40 per year
- Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat shouldn't need to be set higher than 60°C/140°F
- Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows
- Always turn off the lights when you leave a room
- Don't leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily
- If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programme
- Only boil as much water as you need (always cover the elements of an electric kettle)
- A dripping hot water tap wastes energy, so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off
- Use energy saving light bulbs. Just one can save you £100 over the lifetime of the bulb - and they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs
- Do a home energy check and find out how you can save up to £300 on your household bills. You can do this online at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or ring 0800 512 012
What is the Council doing?
- Sourcing green products – last year the Council won an award for this procurement work which includes solar powered ticket machines and photovoltaic cells in the new customer services centre to generate electricity
- Improving recycling services – recycling saves the energy needed to manufacture new items. Recycling one bottle saves enough energy to power a 100 watt light bulb for an hour. Visit the recycling page for more information.
- Encouraging green design – new Council buildings such as 2 Hillman Street, where the cashier’s office is now based, have energy saving measures including low energy lighting and eco-friendly cooling and heating systems built in. Council workers are encouraged to save energy and recycle where possible at work.
- Promoting sustainable transport – parking is free for electric and other green vehicles. The Council actively campaigns for improved public transport and to encourage cycling and walking.
- More Council services are now available on the phone 020 8356 3000 and on this site, so you don’t need to travel to visit us.
What the Government can offer you
There is some financial help from the Government and energy suppliers available for those planning to make improvements to their homes.
If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord, are on certain benefits, you may be eligible for a Warm Front grant of up to £2,700. To find out more, ring 0800 316 2805 or visit www.warmfront.co.uk.
For more information about cutting your carbon footprint visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.
Page updated: 1 Oct 2008