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Everybody can gain from energy efficiency even if you don’t believe some of the bleak predictions
from climate change experts. For example, the energy saving trust estimates that an average
sized property could save around £110 per year on their heating bills if they install the
recommended 270mm thick insulation in an uninsulated roof. This can be purchased from DIY
stores or builders merchants for an approximate cost of £250 and can be fitted by most able
bodied people. Such a measure would mean that in a little over 2 years the insulation would have
paid for itself in terms of reduced heating bills, and would continue to generate savings after this.
It would also save around a tonne of CO2 emissions per year. The EPC's recommendations are
accompanied by the estimated reduction in energy costs each measure would produce, and effect
that these measures will have on the EPC rating. With this information you can calculate the
amount of time energy efficiency measures would take to pay back their estimated cost of
installation. It is often argued that over insulation in properties causes damp in houses, "a drafty
house is a healthy house". All properties require some air flow to prevent damp and mould
building up, however, insulation in its own right does not cause damp. The carbon trust estimates
that typically, two-thirds of a building’s heat is lost through the fabric with the remaining third is lost
through gaps and vents. Additional insulation stops heat escaping through roofs and walls, and
(assuming the insulation does not block any vents) it should not restrict to the air flow and cause
damp.
"Even if the UK stopped all of its carbon emissions today, growth in China would
replace those emissions within two years"
from climate change experts. For example, the energy saving trust estimates that an average
sized property could save around £110 per year on their heating bills if they install the
recommended 270mm thick insulation in an uninsulated roof. This can be purchased from DIY
stores or builders merchants for an approximate cost of £250 and can be fitted by most able
bodied people. Such a measure would mean that in a little over 2 years the insulation would have
paid for itself in terms of reduced heating bills, and would continue to generate savings after this.
It would also save around a tonne of CO2 emissions per year. The EPC's recommendations are
accompanied by the estimated reduction in energy costs each measure would produce, and effect
that these measures will have on the EPC rating. With this information you can calculate the
amount of time energy efficiency measures would take to pay back their estimated cost of
installation. It is often argued that over insulation in properties causes damp in houses, "a drafty
house is a healthy house". All properties require some air flow to prevent damp and mould
building up, however, insulation in its own right does not cause damp. The carbon trust estimates
that typically, two-thirds of a building’s heat is lost through the fabric with the remaining third is lost
through gaps and vents. Additional insulation stops heat escaping through roofs and walls, and
(assuming the insulation does not block any vents) it should not restrict to the air flow and cause
damp.
"Even if the UK stopped all of its carbon emissions today, growth in China would
replace those emissions within two years"
C02 emissions per capita per year per country
The map on the right hand illustrates
the average level of carbon dioxide
(C02) emissions per head in different
countries (the darker the country the
higher polluting it is). C02 is not the only
green house gas however it is
considered to be the most significant.
The average C02 emissions per head in
the UK is 9.79 tonnes. This seems like a
good statistic when compared to the
USA's average of 20.4 tonnes. However,
when compared to Sweden's 5.89
tonnes it is less impressive. When
compared to China's 3.84 tonnes or
the average level of carbon dioxide
(C02) emissions per head in different
countries (the darker the country the
higher polluting it is). C02 is not the only
green house gas however it is
considered to be the most significant.
The average C02 emissions per head in
the UK is 9.79 tonnes. This seems like a
good statistic when compared to the
USA's average of 20.4 tonnes. However,
when compared to Sweden's 5.89
tonnes it is less impressive. When
compared to China's 3.84 tonnes or
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Why energy save?
India's 1.2 tonnes our emission levels seem awful. If the richer, higher polluting and
technologically advanced countries cannot reduce their emissions how can they persuade poorer
countries to do so. (Source for stats and picture - The US department of Energy's Carbon Dioxide
Information Analysis Center, 2004).
If you would like to know more about how the UK fits into the climate change debate click here
technologically advanced countries cannot reduce their emissions how can they persuade poorer
countries to do so. (Source for stats and picture - The US department of Energy's Carbon Dioxide
Information Analysis Center, 2004).
If you would like to know more about how the UK fits into the climate change debate click here
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