Little Wenlock C Red
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This is the first newsletter of the Little Wenlock Carbon Reduction team, formed after the recent energy survey of the parish. Our aim is to help everyone save money on their energy bills and thereby reduce our total ‘carbon footprint’.
The survey revealed that Little Wenlock’s average household carbon dioxide emissions are over 19 tonnes for home, car and air travel, 40% higher than the national average, but with surprisingly large differences between houses.
This means huge potential savings on energy bills and carbon savings for the planet.
Some are spending £700 less in a year for electricity than others, mostly because of more efficient appliances, low energy lights and not leaving things on standby.
The differences for oil, LPG and gas bills was even greater with some spending £1000 less than others with houses of similar size.
Those with the lowest bills mostly had good loft and wall insulation, the lowest also had wood burning stoves.
But another big factor was the way heating is being controlled, and only used to a minimum when and where needed.
Anyone in the Parish can have a free and confidential Home Energy Check with a visit from a personal ‘carbon coach!’
Call the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre 0800 512012, and ask for Hilary or Wendy, visits can be arranged after work, or request a home visit from hilary@eec.org.uk .
Many households have already had visits and many are already making savings. Debbie Goodman says “We have already saved £15 a month, just on electricity”
We are not the ‘Carbon Police’ but we do want to help everyone save energy as well as help the planet.
Our initial target is to reduce carbon emissions by 20% in the first year. Further issues of this newsletter will include savings case studies from Little Wenlock, as well as suggestions for actions of the month.
So use some energy now to jump on our bandwagon, ring for your free Home Energy Check, and start saving your 20%.
Action for December: Plant a tree to off set some of your emissions. 1 sapling tree, planted at home or elsewhere, will soak up the carbon emission of one persons long haul flight or 12,000 miles of car travel as it grows. See www.climatecare.org, www.carbonfootprint.com, www.woodland-trust.org.uk (trees for all) and www.oxfamunwrapped.com (gifts that grow).
