Climate Change

Helping the Earth Begins at Home

Every time we turn on our heating, switch on lights, heat water, cook, or use any gas or electrical appliance in our homes, we may be damaging our other home - The Earth - by adding to the threat of global warming. Using our cars could make the problem even worse. This web page looks at ways you can help to tackle the problem at home -and save money into the bargain.

The Problem

Burning fossil fuels - coal, gas oil and petrol - either directly, or to generate electricity, releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide is the main ‘Greenhouse Gas’ which contributes to the threat of global warming.

If the Earth warms up, the world’s climate will change and sea levels could rise. Scientists predict that rainfall in particular is likely to be affected, with some areas drier and others wetter. People, animals and plants may have to adjust to the changing conditions. For some species, already struggling to cope with a crowded world, survival itself may become a real problem.

Although it is true there are still some uncertainties, we know enough about the threat of global warming to be satisfied that the problem is genuine and serious.

Home Truths About Energy

Over a quarter of the CO₂ produced in the UK comes from energy used in the home. This figure increases to around 40 per cent if we include the use of cars.

We burn fuels such as coal, oil, or gas for energy; in power stations to make electricity for running electrical appliances and lighting; to heat the home; and for cooking. If we cut the amount of energy we use in our homes and cars, we reduce the CO₂ emissions that increase the risk of global warming.

Most of us are using much more energy than we need to, and therefore producing unnecessary CO₂ emissions. The energy used by the average home creates 7½ tonnes of CO₂ a year. This can easily be reduced by one-fifth, or even up to a half, by taking some of the steps recommended in this web page. At the same time, you will reduce your fuel bills by a similar amount - so benefiting the planet and your pocket.

This web page gives you some brief advice on insulating and heating your home. For more details on these subjects, link to the relevant web pages shown on this site.

Another good first step is to complete a home energy survey - this need not be expensive and can give you valuable information on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home. For more information, contact the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre on 0800 512 012. 

With offices based in Billingham and Newcastle the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre enables residents across the region to access free and independent advice focusing on saving energy in the home, renewable energy and transport energy, helping householders to reduce their energy consumption whilst making their homes more comfortable and reducing their fuel bills.

Working closely with District of Easington Council also means that the advice provided is specifically tailored to local needs and can range from finding out what local grants are available for cavity wall / loft insulation, energy saving top tips and free home energy checks to advice and information regarding energy saving appliances and sources of household renewable energy. Advice is provided via the freephone number: 0800 512 012.

  The recent launch of the Advice Centre couldn't have come at a better time as recently published figures from the Energy Saving Trust show that the average household in Easington could save up to £250 a year, by simply being more energy efficient.

About this service

Tackling the Problem

The United Nations Convention on Climate Change, which the UK signed at the Earth Summit in June 1992, is an important first step in international efforts to help combat the threat of global warming. 

It commits developed countries to aim to return emission of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases to their 1990 levels by the year 2000.

The UK Government - in partnership with individuals, business, and the public sector - is developing a national programme to find ways in which we can help to reduce CO₂ emissions.

District of Easington - Climate Change Community Action Plan

The District of Easington has signed the Local Authority Declaration on Climate Change, which contained a commitment to develop a Local Climate Change Action Plan through consultations and community involvement.

We are currently working in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to complete this Action Plan by April 2007. 

The proposed Climate Change Action Plan aims to coordinate all relevant activities and provide guidance for the general public and business community to show how they can take day-to-day actions to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions, save energy and save money.

Lifestyle changes will be needed by us all, everyone has their part to play and the District of Easington aims to lead by example and show the way forward with the management of its Public Buildings.

Please contact Cliff Duff, Energy Manager at the District of Easington if you would like to take part in the Climate Change consultation exercise or have any queries about Climate Change or Global Warming please.

Energy Saving Trust - Save Your 20% Campaign

This year the Energy Saving Trust has adopted a single message: 

Save Your 20%. 

This message is to encourage individuals to take action by reducing the energy usage in their home by a fifth of current levels - If you just saved 20% of the energy you use everyday you’ll help to prevent climate change whilst also saving up to £250 a year on your fuel bills. 

Changes to your home and the way you use energy can make big savings for both your pocket and the environment. For example, adopting a range of straight forward measures including filling cavity walls, sufficiently insulating lofts and upgrading to 'energy saving recommended' appliances can all help you to save your 20%. For further information and to find out how you can start to Save Your 20% today visit the Energy Saving Trust.

Here are some simple measures to get you started:

1. Turning your thermostat down by 1ºC could cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent and save you around £30 per year;

2. Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat shouldn't need to be set higher than 60ºC/140ºF;

3. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows;

4. Always turn off the lights when you leave a room;

5. Don't leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily;

6. If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programme;

7. Only boil as much water as you need, but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle;

8. In just one day, a dripping hot water tap wastes enough water to fill a bath. Make sure they're turned off;

9. Replace your light bulbs with energy saving recommended ones: just one can reduce your lighting costs by up to £78 over the lifetime of the bulb - and they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs;

10. Do a home energy check. Just answer some simple questions about your home and we'll give you a free, impartial report telling you how you can save up to £250 a year on your house hold energy bills. 
    Call the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre today on 0800 512 012 and start saving energy and money.

Using your Car

Think twice about how you use your car - it contributes to the threat of global warming. Try to cut down on the amount of driving you do, especially for short journeys. Use public transport - or walk or cycle where it is safe to do so.

When buying a car, choose a fuel-efficient one. Make sure the car is regularly tuned to reduce emissions, and drive more fuel-efficiently, for example, by reducing your cruising speed and by avoiding sharp acceleration and braking. If everyone drove like this, we could save up to 15 per cent of CO₂ emissions from our cars.

Home Insulation Measures

The quicker heat escapes from your home, the more heat you have to produce to keep warm, and the higher the heating bills. If you insulate your home properly, your heating system will need to produce less heat - thus saving money and reducing CO₂ emissions. 

Priority areas to look at are wall insulation, loft insulation and draught-proofing.

There are many sources of grant funding or discounts available for domestic energy efficiency measures. Please seethe Energy Grants and Discounts link at the right side of this page for more information. 

More heat is lost through the walls than any other part of the house and is a very effective way of reducing your fuel bills - you could save £60-£70 a year. It has to be installed by a professional contractor, but usually takes less than a day, is injected into the walls from outside and  causes no mess. Free grants and discounts are available for insulation measures.

Most people with lofts have some form of loft insulation, but more often than not it isn’t thick enough. Ten inches (250mm) is the depth you need, and it is worth topping up your insulation if you have two inches (50mm) or less. Again, this could reduce your fuel bills by £60-£70 a year.

Heating Appliances and Controls

Whatever form of heating you have, it needs to be properly controlled to ensure that it is only producing heat when you want it, where you want it.

Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C can knock 10% off your heating bills - and you will be unlikely to notice the difference in comfort. 

Fitting thermostats in rooms or on heaters - if you don’t already have one-stops your heating system from continually producing more heat than you need. And thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) fitted on each radiator will help you keep each room at the right temperature - cooler in bedrooms if you prefer, warmer in living rooms.

Only heat your home when you need to, by fitting a timer or programmer to your heating system. This can be set so that your home is warm by the time you come in, and so that the heating goes off before you go out or go to bed - your home will still stay warm for half an hour after the system warm for half an hour after the system switches off (even longer if your home is well insulated).

New, more efficient boilers - particularly the high efficiency gas - or oil-fired condensing models - use much less fuel than older ones. If you have central heating and your boiler is more than teen years old, you should think about replacing it, especially when it next needs major repairs. Fitting a condensing boiler, although it costs more than an ordinary boiler, could save you up to £100 a year in heating costs.

Water Heating

Twenty per cent of the average home’s energy bill goes on heating water. There are a number of ways you can cut bills whilst still having enough hot water for your needs.

An insulting jacket for your hot water tank costs only a few pounds and will pay for itself in lower fuel bills in a matter of months, if you fit it yourself. If your cylinder is in an airing cupboard, there will still be enough warmth to air clothes effectively.

You could also insulate the hot water pipes running to the main hot water taps. This will stop heat escaping from the pipes and will also be more convenient - you won’t have to wait as long for hot water to come from the tap.

If you have a thermostat or thermostatic valve on you hot water system, on the heater or on the storage cylinder, you can turn it down to reduce heating bills. However, don’t set it below 60°C. If you don’t have one already, fitting a thermostat or thermostatic valve on your water heating system can reduce bills by around £10-£20 a year.

You can also save costs by taking a shower instead of a bath - it can use only two-fifths of the amount of hot water.

Domestic Appliances

Electrical appliances vary considerably from model to model in their energy efficiency. 

If you are buying new appliances it’s well worth looking for those which are energy efficient - even if they cost a little more. 

Many are now labelled with their energy efficiency rating and annual consumption - look for the green energy efficiency label on fridges and freezers in your local electricity company showroom, or compare energy usage information in manufacturers’ brochures.

Lighting

Energy-saving light bulbs can pay for themselves in lower bills - often within two years - although they cost more than ordinary filament bulbs (from £5 to £15). 

Energy-saving light bulbs are as bright as ordinary light bulbs, although they use only a quarter of the electricity and last eight times longer. 

They are ideal for main lighting and other lights which are used for long periods of time. They fit the same bulb-holder as ordinary bulbs, though they cannot be used with dimmer switches, some electronic timers or electronic lighting controls.