The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) recognises that local authorities have a key role to play in improving the energy efficiency of residential accommodation, and achieving reductions in domestic carbon emissions.
In July 2012 the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) issued guidance under HECA requiring all local authorities in England, to report on the energy conservation measures that they consider practicable, cost-effective and likely to result in significant improvement in the energy efficiency of all types of housing in their areas.
The first of these reports known as a "further report" was to be published by 31 March 2013. Subsequent progress reports are to be produced at 2 year intervals up to 2027.
Further information is available in Fareham's Further Report 
(63 KB) and Fareham's HECA Further Report 2015 (1 MB).
In order to help in preparing the further report and future updates, Fareham Council has produced a Position Statement for 2013. It considers the progress that has been made to improve home energy efficiency; the local issues and concerns which will determine future policy and the partnerships that will help us to meet our objectives.
Every time we switch on our lights, turn on our heating, heat water, cook, use any gas or electrical appliances in our homes, we are using resources which will not last forever. 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 problems being created.
You can get a personalised energy efficiency report 
to list all the ways you can reduce your energy consumption. The report will also indicate the energy and financial savings you can make if you adopt suggested changes.
The better insulated your home is, the less money you'll spend heating it. Find out more about different types of insulation, including draught-proofing, double glazing, and insulation for lofts and walls on the Energy Savings Trust website
In a typical household, well over half the money spent on fuel bills goes towards providing heating and hot water. So in these times of ever increasing fuel costs, having an efficient and cost-effective heating system is vital, and it's one of the main steps you can take to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions. Find our more about energy efficient condensing boilers, effective time and temperature controls and tank insulation on the Energy Savings Trust website .
Renewable energy has benefits for us all and the environment. Systems include:
With eight other local authorities, we have produced an informative leaflet "An introduction to renewable and low carbon energy technology in Hampshire & Isle of Wight" (1 MB). For a copy please contact us on 01329 236100 or email customerservices@fareham.gov.uk.
The United Sustainable Energy Agency (Cocoon) has published a useful Solar suitability checker tool so that you can check whether your property is suitable for Solar PV and/or solar hot water. You can see a satellite image of your property and quickly establish the size and orientation of the roof space getting the most sun. Once you have determined that your home is suitable for solar, costs and returns on investment for an appropriate system are shown on screen. This will give a rapid snapshot of how solar compares as a potential investment thanks to current feed-in tariffs (FITs) and the renewable heat incentive (RHI). If you can afford the level of investment needed, you can move on to a full comparison of a number of installer estimates for suitable systems. You will be able to select up to six approved installers to come and do a free no-obligation survey of your property. This will confirm its suitability and lead to written quotations. Only at the final stage of you deciding you would like installers to visit you, Cocoon will ask for any contact details.
Find out more about renewable and low-carbon technologies on the Energy Savings Trust website .
The Government expects that most households will have smart meters installed at no cost by their energy company between 2014 and 2019, although some energy companies are starting to install them now. We believe that there will be significant interest from Fareham households once the full scheme is rolled out by the fuel utility companies from 2014 onwards. For further information contact your energy company.
You can see details of energy saving products on the Energy Savings Trust website . The European Union has 
introduced a grading system (A-G) to identify the level of energy efficiency of domestic appliances. An EU energy label must be on all fridges, freezers, fridge freezers, tumble dryers, washing machines, washer dryers, dishwashers, electric ovens and light build packaging.
Switch Hampshire is a new free scheme run by all local councils in Hampshire to help residents to make savings on their gas and/or electricity bills. By taking part in a collective energy switching service, Hampshire residents will be able to combine their purchasing power and get a better deal on their energy bills. The more people who sign up, the more negotiating power participating residents will have. All people have to do is register and Switch Hampshire will do the rest. There is no charge to take part and no obligation to make the switch once a quote has been received.
People can register online or call 01962 846828 (lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) by the 17th February 2014. After the registration closing date, Switch Hampshire will begin negotiations with energy providers to secure the best deals on the strength of this collective buying power.
Registering for the scheme is free and there is absolutely no obligation to switch energy supplier. If you do sign up, Switch Hampshire will notify you of the best energy tariffs available along with an estimate of how much you could save. It is then up to you whether you switch or not, and you will have a few weeks to decide. If you do choose to switch, then Switch Hampshire will manage everything on your behalf.
As well as saving on your heating bills, you may be able to make significant savings on your water bill by switching to a meter. Customers of Portsmouth Water are able to check their current water use to see if they could save money and help the environment by switching to a meter. You can see the interactive water calculator on the Portsmouth Water website .
You can see more detailed information about subjects covered on this page from these organisations:
E-mail: enquires@environmentcentre.com
Website: www.environmentcentre.com
Freephone Advice 0800 804 8601
E-mail: renewables@greenenergy.org.uk
Website: www.nef.org.uk/
Website: www.greenelectricity.org/what-is-green-electricity.php
Freephone Advice 0800 111 4968
Telephone: 01525 853300
Website: www.ciga.co.uk
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