Action on Climate Change: Energy
Most of us use far more energy than we actually need. Leaving TVs on standby, lights turned on, and turning up the heating, all takes energy from either power stations or gas, both creating carbon dioxide (and other polluting emissions) and costing us money. By taking small steps to reduce energy use we can reduce our carbon dioxide ‘footprint’ (the amount of carbon dioxide we produce), but as we are using less energy we can save money too.
Examples of what Wealden is doing
- Council Officers are encouraged to turn off lighting and computers when not in use
- We are buying 100% renewable energy
All of the electricity used in council offices is from renewable sources. Wealden has selected 100% hydroelectric. - Raising awareness of Microgeneration
Wealden has started using microgenration at our award-winning public toilets in Pevensey Bay. Tap water is heated using solar panels, and the roof mounted wind turbine generating electricity to run the car park pay and display machine. It also has a rain water collection system. -
Using High Efficiency Boilers
The Council uses high efficiency boilers in offices with weather compensated control systems. This helps ensure that buildings are heated to a comfortable temperature while remaining energy efficient.
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Planning for the future
Wealden is looking into combined heat and power systems, which will generate electricity from the heat produced by boilers. The proposed extension to the Hailsham office will consider how microgeneration can be used to provide electricity.
What you can do
As well as the advice below Wealden can give free impartial advice on how to reduce fuel bills and protecting the environment at the same time, call our Energy Efficiency Hotline on 01323 443321 (office hours) or e-mail privatehousing@wealden.gov.uk We also provide information on grants.
- Turn off lighting when not in use
In most homes lighting costs 10 to 15% of the electricity bill. - Switch to energy saving light bulbs.
Each energy saving bulb can take up to £9 off your electricity bill, and will last up to 12 times longer than a standard bulb. - Turn off appliances when not in use, don’t leave them on standby
Appliances in standby still use electricity so are running up your electricity bill and polluting the environment. Turning off rather than using standby is the better option for TVs, DVD players, music systems, microwaves and similar devices. - When buying appliances make sure they are energy efficient.
Look for the energy saving recommended logo. Appliances that are energy efficient will help save you money and help the environment too. The Energy Saving Trust has an appliance search tool here. Also look out for the EU Energy Label - Turn heating down by 1 degree
As well as reducing carbon dioxide emission you could cut up to 10% of your heating bill. - Draw curtains at dusk
Which will help to prevent heat loss from windows - Do your washing at 30 degrees
Modern washing machines and detergents do not require high temperatures to wash effectively so washing at 30 degrees will lower electricity and water costs and help the environment. - Service your boiler, replace it with an energy efficient condensing boiler.
Servicing your boiler once a year will help keep it clean and efficient. If It is replaced with a condensing boiler it will use less energy and produce less carbon dioxide emissions. - Use ‘green’ electricity
Purchasing your electricity from a company that uses 100% renewable is one of the largest ways to reduce your carbon dioxide emission and help the environment. For suppliers in you area visit Green Electricity. - Microgeneration
Microgeneration can help you to provide your own energy from renewable resources such as the sun, wind, water, and plant material (biomass). There are a number of options including small scale wind turbines, solar panels (for water heating or electricity) and ground source heat pumps. You may need planning permission for microgeneration systems. Grants are available for installing microgeneration systems. With energy costs rising microgeneration can help save money in the long term.