Energy Efficiency Counts

Making the most of Energy

Below are links to audio / image presentations and websites which will give you more information about saving your money, our energy and our environment.

The Environment, Energy And Us

Climate Change

• Every time we switch on our lights, turn on the heating, heat water, cook, use any gas or electrical appliances in our homes, we are using resources which will not last forever.

• Moreover, our increasing demands for energy are having a negative effect on the environment with the world's scientific community now agreeing that the climate is changing for the worse and we can all "do our bit" to help reduce the problems being created.

• A more detailed picture of climate change, global warming and the greenhouse effect is available via this interactive website link (this is an external hyperlink).  An insight into what you can do to help is also provided.

• This short video, is available in both high bandwidth and low bandwidth, and gives an insight into the nature of this situation. There is also transcript (this is an external hyperlink) available for this video.

• Calculate your carbon footprint (this is an external hyperlink) on Directgov and find out more about greener living.

 

Helping The Earth Begins At Home

Where Is All The Energy Going?

• Over a quarter of the carbon dioxide we produce in the UK results from the use of energy in our homes.

• Most of this energy is used when heating the home.  This is followed by heating water, cooking and then when using other appliances; i.e. fridge freezers etc.

• Energy escapes from the house through five main sources with the cavities and the loft being the most significant weak points.

• Nevertheless, there are a number of ways in which we can reduce this waste with many being simple.  While others will require expenditure, the investment made will ensure reductions in the fuel bills and this website will offer valuable links and advice toward identifying the appropriate changes, the costs, the savings and the grants available.

 

The Energy Efficient Home - A Guided Tour?

 

• Take a guided tour (this is an external hyperlink) around a house on a room-by-room basis and gain an insight into the range of energy efficiency measures that can be used to save you energy and money.

 

How Energy Efficient Is Your Home?

The Home Energy Check

• It is possible to obtain a personalised Energy Efficiency Report (this is an external hyperlink) which will list all the ways you can reduce your energy consumption.

• The report will also indicate the energy and financial savings that can be obtained if you adopt the suggested changes.

 

 

The Measures Available

Insulation

• Insulating your home minimises heat loss, helps regulate the heat loss, helps regulate the temperature and helps save money.

• The Energy Efficiency Home (this is an external hyperlink) will show where best to install the various types of insulation.

• The 'savings calculator' in the Further Information section will provide an insight into the annual savings you can make.

• The Grants and Discounts section explains what financial help is available.

 

Heating and Hot Water

• With the energy efficient condensing boiler, effective time and temperature controls and appropriate tank insulation, you could save up to £180 a year in heating bills.

• Further information on boilers and heating systems (this is an external hyperlink) is available.

• The Grants and Discounts section explains what help is available to reduce the cost of buying and installing a new boiler.

 

Renewable Energy Systems

• Renewable energy has a number of benefits that positively impact you as a consumer and the environment.

• Solar photovoltaics (this is an external hyperlink), solar water heating (this is an external hyperlink), small scale wind turbines (this is an external hyperlink) and biomass heating (this is an external hyperlink) systems will reduce pollution and the amount spent on the fuel bills.

• The savings calculator in the Further Information section provides information on potential savings.

• The Grants and Discounts section explains what help is available to reduce the cost of buying and installing a new system.

 

Grants and Discount Schemes

There are a number of schemes available to help you towards meeting the cost of insulation, heating and renewable energy systems.  These are:

• Warm Front Grant Scheme (this is an external hyperlink) - Insulation, draught proofing & heating

• British Gas Insulation Scheme - Insulation

• British Gas Discounted Insulation Scheme - Insulation

• The Low Carbon Buildings Programme (this is an external hyperlink) - Renewable energy systems

• Fareham Home Energy Insulation Scheme - Insulation

• Fareham Home Energy Boiler Scheme - Boiler replacement

 

Further Information

 

Top Ten Tips

• There are also ten simple no-cost and low-cost actions (this is an external hyperlink) available to you; i.e. using low energy light bulbs designed to increase your energy savings and reduce your fuel bills.

 

The Energy Efficiency Label

• The European Union has introduced a grading system (A-G) which identifies the level of energy efficiency of domestic appliances.

• There is a legal requirement that the EU energy label (this is an external hyperlink) is shown on all fridges, freezers, fridge-freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers, washer dryers, dishwashers, electric ovens and light build packaging.

 

More Detailed Information

• Further more detailed information on the energy efficiency issues covered within this site is available.

 

The Council's Home Energy Conservation Strategy 2006-2009

 

 

• In 1995 the Government passed the Home Energy Conservation Act, which set a target for local authorities to reduce domestic energy consumption by 30% by 2010.  The Act requires the Council to adopt a strategy (149 Kb) for the promotion of energy efficiency measures and to work towards Government targets to reduce fossil fuel use.