As fuel bills continue to rise, now more than ever, people are focusing upon energy efficiency within the home. As a council, we are committed to helping our residents to reduce their fuel bills, keep warmer through the winter months and to reduce our borough’s carbon emissions.
We are committed to working with our partners and energy providers, to provide concise and up to date information and advice on energy efficiency initatives available include developing cost saving tariffs for low income or vulnerable customers which is delivered through the council’s Energy Efficiency Advice Service. For more information on how you can keep as 'snug as bug' contact the freephone number on 0800 29 22 679.
Energy Performance Certificates
Energy Performance certificates (EPCs) were introduced in April 2008 and are required for buildings when they are built, sold or rented and provide an energy performance rating for the building. These certificates are similar to those provided with domestic appliances and provide you with an idea of the how expensive it may be to heat your home.
Energy efficiency information
Making your home more energy efficient will reduce your annual fuel bills. In addition, by using less energy you will automatically produce less carbon, which is good for the environment. As a starting point, follow 3 simple steps:
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Reduce the amount of energy that you actually use
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Look at the many energy wasting appliance in your home (heating, appliance, lighting etc.)and replace them with energy efficient alternatives
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Insulate your home – loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and draught proofing
Information about energy performance certificates is available below under related documents.
Fuel poverty
Fuel poverty occurs when a household is spending more than 10% of its household income to heat their home. This is usually due to a combination of low income, inadequate and expensive heating and a property that is either lacking good insulation such as loft and cavity wall or has low levels of loft insulation.
It is also important to consider how much you are paying to heat your home. Compare your current tariff with other providers to get the best price. Most energy companies are now committed to providing social tariffs for customers on a low income. Check out the main energy suppliers such as those mentioned below for more information on Social Tariffs. You can also see more details under related documents.
The link between ill health and fuel poverty has been clearly established. A cold indoor environment increases the incidence of ill health. Respiratory illnesses, heart attacks and strokes are all exacerbated by the cold. In addition cold, damp housing conditions lead to increased fungi growth and dust mites which can aggravate conditions such as asthma. We are committed to helping our residents achieve affordable warmth by highlighting grants and discount schemes and offering advice on energy efficiency. See below for advice on these schemes.
The New Energy Bill and the Green New Deal
The Energy Bill introduced in December 2010, includes a provision for a new “Green Deal” which will revolutionise the energy efficiency of British homes.
The Green Deal is a framework that is being established by the government, to enable private companies to offer consumers energy efficiency to their homes, community spaces and businesses at no upfront cost, and recoup payments through a charge in instalments on the energy bill for the home.
If the bill payer moves out and ceases to be the bill payer at that property, the financial obligation doesn’t move with them but moves to the next bill payer: the charge is only paid whilst the benefits are enjoyed. This is where the Green Deal differs from existing lending – it is not a conventional loan since the bill payer is not liable for the full capital cost of the measures, only the charges due whilst they are the bill payer.
At a local level the Green Deal will enable many households and businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their properties without consuming so much energy and wasting so much money. At a national level the UK needs to become more energy efficient to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions which risk serious climate change.
The Green Deal will deliver energy saving packages to millions of homes and businesses across the country. Consequently, the scheme provides opportunities for skilled and unskilled labour: from assessment to installation, manufacturing to supply, over the whole of Britain. By ensuring high take up of energy efficiency measures in households and businesses, the national demand for imported gas could be reduced considerably.
Further information is available on the Department for Energy and Climate Change website.
Grants and discount schemes
There are a number of grants and discount schemes available to homeowners, private tenants and private landlords, which can help to make homes more energy efficient. These include helping with such things as new heating systems, cavity wall and loft insulation and draughtproofing the home.
For free impartial advice on energy savings measures including access to a range of grants contact Dudley’s Energy Advice Service free on 0800 29 22 679.
Energywatch is the independent gas and electricity consumer watchdog. People can contact them for advice and information on a range of energy supply issues and energy efficiency. For further information call 08459 060708
Renewable energy
Renewable energy comes from naturally available sources, such as the sun, wind, water and plants. By exploiting renewable energy few, if any harmful emissions are produced and the rate at which the world limited energy sources are used is reduced. The government is proposing that10% of UK electricity needs should be met by renewables by the end of 2010 and some 205 BY 2020.
Thanks to the government's low carbon buildings programme, grants of up to £2,500 are available to generate your own energy for the following types of technology:
We can all make a real difference by considering installing solar water heating, solar electricity or even a mini wind turbine. Alternatively, choose a green electricity tariff. The Energy Saving Trust has lots of information and advice on renewable energy sources on its website:
[ Renewable energy sources further information ]
