Low budget energy saving at home & community level energy saving

Hosts: Emma Blume, Alex Penn

Participants included Kate Hamilton, Angie Montague, Patrick Crawford, Hilary Black, Chris Rowland, Ian Eiloart

Ways to Save Energy Simply:

What are the cheapest things I can do to reduce my energy use?

  • Thick warm curtains, shelf above radiator.
  • Turn down thermostat.
  • Low temperature cycle in washing machine. Dry clothes on line or clothes horse.
  • Site radiator on internal wall. Foil behind radiators.
  • Close doors and windows before evening gets too cool.
  • Eat with friends and neighbours (heat and light one house instead of two, for the evening).
  • Cook more efficiently: lids on pans, pressure cookers, etc.
  • Change light bulbs (each low-energy bulb can save £50 - 100).
  • Draft proofing - with grants
  • Cavity Wall insulation, loft insulation. Costs a few hundred pounds, can repay within two years. Grants from Lewes District Council.

Community solutions:

I've done all the cheap, cost effective stuff above. The next step in my house is going to cost thousands of pounds, which could be used far more effectively helping others to do the cheap things. But, where's my incentive?

Micro-credit like scheme. Credit unions. Christmas savings schemes. Or, something more tailored. Save up for a new boiler, while investing in a company that makes loans for energy saving. Community based. Lower prices by bulk buying.

Energy Co-op, like Bay Wind, Cumbria. Funds feasibility studies for local medium scale renewable energy (wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, district heating, micro-grids?) Public support is there. Councils may help, but probably won't drive this.

Pooling resources within streets.

Next Steps:

Energy saving doctor, not just leaflets. Set up community energy company. Re-skilling workshops.

Get involved: contact hello [at] TransitionTownLewes.org.uk