Little Wenlock C Red
Little Wenlock Carbon Reduction Action Group Newsletter 3
£200 saved following a Home Energy Visit
Karen Sloan tells us that they have just had a £200 electricity rebate following their Home Energy Visit.
“When we were waiting for Hilary to carry out the energy visit, we didn’t know what to expect. Would she be up in the loft measuring the depth of our loft insulation, tutting over our lack of low energy light bulbs and chastising our profligate ways with the dishwasher?
“We were pleasantly surprised to end up having a very practical and helpful discussion on how we could reduce our consumption with minimal impact on our lifestyle.
Hilary had information on products we didn’t even know existed such as internal wall insulation materials for solid walls which can be applied when redecorating.
She gave us free samples of low energy light bulbs, a room thermometer, a water saving bag for the cistern, and a book of energy saving tips.
Our discussion about boiler efficiency led us to talk to our new (golden pages listed) service engineer, who tweaked the settings increasing the efficiency from 70% to 90%!
We have:
- Gradually changed to low energy bulbs, starting with those lights in most use
- Cut down the length of time the central heating is on
- Installed a second wood burning stove
- Switched off all appliances on standby
- Replaced an old fridge with an ‘A+’rated model from the January sales
- Started using the economy setting on the dishwasher and
- Replaced our petrol thirsty 4X4, and are now getting twice the mpg with our new car.
We haven’t yet worked out our total savings, but are expecting that we will have saved well over the 20% target, and would encourage anyone thinking about having a Home Energy Visit to give Hilary a ring.”
We have, will you?
A quarter of the parish have already taken C Red action, starting with a Home Energy Visit. To join them call Hilary at the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre 0800 512012 or request a home visit from hilary@eec.org.uk
We have about 10 years to take action to prevent the worst climate change.
Whilst China builds new power stations every 20 days, it is our growing consumer demand that is helping to fuel their growth. And carbon emissions per person in China are still less than a third of those in the UK. By acting together as a community to stimulate action, and joining the growing number of other communities across the country, we can make a difference and lead the rest of the world by example.
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).
Holidays that don’t cost the earth:
How about holidaying in Shropshire’s first ecocabin in Bucknell, with solar panels and wood pellet stove. www.ecocabin.co.uk . For ski resorts with an environmental policy see www.saveoursnow.com and to check the sustainability of major slopes see www.skiclub.co.uk.
The Snow Train ( www.raineurope.com) counts just 5.7g of CO2 per km compared to 180g per km by plane. For Fresh Air Miles by bike see www.sustrans.org.uk .
The many other UK holidays include Youth Hostels that nowadays have family rooms, accept cars, but also have a guide to car-free hostelling www.yha.org.uk .
A South African Xhosa village with traditional rondawels offers an eco break with carbon offsetting for your flight www.bulungula.com .
