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Serving God in the heart of our community since 1881

St Andrew's Church, Taunton

 www.standrewstaunton.org.uk
 

 

Global Warming – What can I do to save energy in the home?

Part 6 in the series by Janet Fulljames of St. Andrew's Church Taunton 17 June 2007.

 

If we want to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere a good place to begin is at home. We can reduce the amount of energy we use, and use clean energy for our electricity.

 

There are many easy ways to save energy.  Some of us have just got bad habits and don’t think how much energy we use. Sometimes we use energy for no good reason at all!

 

Here are just a few ideas of ways we could save energy

 

  • Don’t fill up the kettle, just boil the water needed.

  • Turn off the lights when leaving a room.

  • Turn down the central heating thermostat one degree and this could save10% on an electricity bill, an average of £40 per year.

  • Don’t leave electrical appliances on stand by, turn off the TV at bedtime, this can save up to 8% on an electricity bill.

  • Fit energy saving light bulbs, these will last 10 times longer and use up to 80% less electricity than a conventional bulb.

  • Put lids on saucepans when cooking – it saves heat and cooks more quickly.

  • Insulate your property. Make sure there is insulation in the loft, this can save up to £100 a year. Lag the hot water tank and pipes. Some homes are also suitable for cavity wall insulation.

  • Use hot water carefully – take a shower rather than having a bath.

  • Wash clothes at a lower temperature, and always fill up the machine.

  • When buying new equipment e.g. a fridge, check how energy efficient it is before deciding which one to buy. Look out for the ESR logo (Energy Saving Recommended) more than a thousand products now carry the logo. It may be cheaper to replace an old boiler, if it is 15 years old or more, replacing it with a Condensing Boiler which uses less fuel. This could save over 30% on bills!

 

Not all these ideas are relevant for everyone, but acting on some of them can make a real difference.

    

The Energy Saving Trust estimate that the average household could save £200 a year by becoming more energy efficient in the home.

 

Some grants may be available for energy conservation measures. Contact Taunton Deane Borough Council if you are thinking of cavity wall insulation, installing solar panels or other energy saving measures. Many grants will be means tested but not all grants are. Some are projects for a short period in partnership with another organization. At present there is a joint project with British Gas which can also give you a reduction in Council Tax! For more information, phone 356 443, or E Mail n.schubert@tauntondeane.gov.uk .

 

Most electricity is produced from the burning of fossil fuels – oil and coal. We can switch to renewable energy sources that do not produce carbon. Renewable energy sources include wind, solar power, bio fuels and perhaps in years to come, wave and tidal power. Nuclear power does not produce carbons but it remains a controversial clean energy because of nuclear waste. The websites www.greenelectricity.org  and www.good-energy.co.uk provide information about green electricity that is produced from renewable sources.

 

We all need to think of energy as a scarce resource and use it carefully, even if we can afford to pay the bills! Remember the earth is fragile and very precious to us and to future generations. The earth’s resources are gifts from God, to be used wisely and sparingly.

 

Janet Fulljames. 

 

 

Global warming: should Christians care?

To read the first piece in this series please click here.

Global warming: is there anything we can do?

To read the second piece in this series please click here.

 

Global warming: what is the church doing?

To read the third piece in this series please click here.

Global warming: what can we as a congregation do?

To read the fourth piece in this series please click here.

Global warming: what is my carbon footprint?

To read the fifth piece in this series please click here.

Global warming: what can I do to save energy in the home?

To read the sixth piece in this series please click here.

Global warming: what can I do about shopping?

To read the seventh piece in this series please click here.
Global warming: what can I do to reduce emissions from transport?

To read the eight part in this series please click here.

Global warming: "reduce, repair, recycle and reuse!"

To read the ninth part in this series please click here

Global warming: what next?

To read the tenth part in this series please click here

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Page updated 09/12/2007