get streets ahead with energy efficiency
Energy Saving Trust Wales is calling on mid Wales homes to ring the changes and become more energy efficient as part of a conference run jointly by TPAS Cymru, the leading tenant participation organisation in Wales, and the Welsh Tenants Federation. The three—day conference, entitled 'Streets Ahead?', is being held at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells from 16—18 November. It is the largest tenant participation event in Wales, with over 400 delegates expected to attend this year.
With a successful Energy Saving Week having recently come to an end (24—30 October), boosted by the timely comments of HRH Prince Charles on the far—reaching implications of climate change on our planet, Energy Saving Trust Wales is keen to build on the progress seen.
Bob Cherryman
Energy Saving Trust Wales:
'People are often under the mistaken impression that the small things they do won't make a difference to the environment in which we live — but they will, significantly so. In fact it really does come down to individuals taking responsibility for the things they can influence, such as using energy efficient light bulbs, fitting insulated jackets to hot water tanks and filling wall cavities with insulation.
Our recently launched 'Save YOUR 20 per cent campaign', which aims to encourage individuals to save 20 per cent of their daily energy use in order to help prevent climate change, supports the government's target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2010. By doing this individuals could save themselves up to £250 a year in energy bills, as well as having the satisfaction of knowing that they are being environmentally pro—active.
One sector which has historically been energy inefficient is the managed housing sector. There are approximately 2 million privately rented homes in the UK, representing 26 per cent of the UK's managed housing stock. By attending this conference we not only hope to convince both tenants and landlords here in mid Wales that everyone has a part to play in safeguarding our environment, but we also want to demonstrate that saving energy makes sound financial sense.'
Posted: 4 November 2005
For further information:
Rhodri Ellis Owen, Cambrensis
Tel: 029 2025 707
rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com
Notes to editors:
Energy Saving Trust Wales offers free energy saving advice via its website www.est.co.uk and/or through its network of Welsh Energy Efficiency Advice Centres in Newport, Newport Pembs and Mold on 0800 512 012.
The Energy Saving Trust for Wales' Top Ten Tips for this winter are:
1. Look for cavities...
Around 33% of the heat lost in your home is through the walls, so insulating them can be the most cost—effective way to save energy in the home. Not all buildings are suitable, but if your home was built between the 1930s and 1980s then it could be a candidate for cavity wall insulation and you could save up to £120 on your annual heating bills! It's a straightforward, inexpensive and hassle—free job. If everyone in Wales who could, had their cavity walls filled tomorrow, together we'd save over £43 million of energy every year!
2. Boilers...if it isn't broken, it still might need fixing...
Boilers usually break down in winter so it's essential you check yours in the summer. If your boiler is over 15 years old, it's probably time you replaced it with a new energy efficient one. High efficiency condensing boilers are the most energy efficient and will save you around a third on your heating bills straight away, and even more if you upgrade to modern controls. If everyone in Wales switched to a condensing boiler, we'd save £60 million a year! To compare old and new boilers visit www.boilers.org.uk
3. Be nice to your freezer...
Fridge freezers are the most hardworking appliances in our kitchens — in fact, Welsh households use over £58 worth of electricity on refrigeration and freezing alone every year. Close the door as quickly as possible, avoid putting hot food into the fridge, defrost the freezer regularly and check the door seals are working properly.
4. Look for the logo...
Look out for the energy saving recommended logo when you're buying new electrical appliances. The logo appears on a growing range of products — from light bulbs to laundry appliances, indicating the most energy efficient appliances which are also cheaper to run. Replacing an old, energy inefficient fridge—freezer with a new Energy Saving Recommended one could save you up to £35 every year. If all of Wales were to make the change this week, together we'd save over £22 million every year!
5. Treat your hot water tank...give it a jacket
An insulating jacket for hot water tanks only costs a few pounds and pays for itself within months. Fit one that's at least 75mm (3") thick and you could save around £15 a year. If every Welsh household fitted a jacket on their tank tomorrow, we'd save £3 million of energy every year!
6. Draw at dusk...close your curtains
As the days get chillier, closing your curtains at dusk will stop heat escaping through windows.
7. A bright idea... buy an energy efficient light bulb
Trade up your ordinary light bulbs for energy saving ones. Priced from just £3.50, energy efficient light bulbs last up to 12 times longer and for each bulb you fit, you can save up to £7 on your annual electricity bill. If every Welsh household installed just one bulb we'd save over £3 million per year!
8. Take to the floor...defeating draughts
Stop draughts and heat escaping by draught proofing the gaps around doors and windows. This measure could shave £10—15 off your annual heating bill.
9. See double...and cut heat loss by 50%
Double—glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50% and could cut your heating bill by over £60 a year.
10. Be switched on — take a Home Energy Check...
For a report on how much energy can be saved in your own home, fill out the Energy Saving Trust's online home energy check www.est.co.uk
Alternatively, you can obtain a paper version by calling your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC) on 0800 512 012. Our staff at your local EEAC can also provide you with free, impartial advice on how to make your home more energy efficient and talk to you about the grants available in your area to implement energy efficient measures.
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