Energy Facts
In Hertfordshire in 2005, an estimated 2,204 GWh of gas were consumed in the residential sector. (defra.gov.uk)
In 2006 the household sector accounted for 35% of energy use. (nef.org.uk)
The average person in the UK uses 1,930 units or kilowatt hours of electricity per year. (nef.org.uk)
The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Energy Advice Centre runs the Warmer Homes Greener Herts bulk discount insulation scheme, providing insulation to residents at a reduced cost.
The Home Energy Conservation Act, 1995, has set a target of at least a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions from domestic premises. Defra are currently reviewing the Act. (defra.gov.uk)
Targets have been set in the East of England Plan, May 2008, for 10% of the region’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2010 and 17% by 2020.
The Climate Change Levy is a tax on the use of fossil fuels in the non-domestic sector and forms a key part of the UK Government’s Climate Change programme. Energy from renewables and approved Combined Heat and Power schemes is exempt from the Levy.
Hertfordshire’s forecast population growth over the 25 years from 2006 to 2031 is 195,100 a percentage increase of 18.4 (ONS 2008). That means electricity and gas consumption are also set to increase, making renewable energy generation more important.
The 2007 Housing Green Paper establishes targets for all new homes to emit 25% less carbon from 2010, 44% less from 2013 and to be zero carbon from 2019. (goeast.gov.uk)
Hertfordshire County Council and several local authorities purchase green electricity from renewable sources for their public buildings. The use of Combined Heat and Power generation is reducing the county’s CO2 emissions. An example is the Letchworth Leisure Centre in North Hertfordshire.
Turning electrical equipment off at the mains rather than using the standby mode makes a difference - 8% of household energy is used by appliances on standby.
A scheme called Schools Energy Challenge is taking a whole school approach to water and energy management, involving staff and pupils. It gives access to grants, offering up to £3,000 to implement efficiency measures.
Legislation seeks to reduce the energy consumption of buildings by 25% and to increase the provision of renewable energy to meet 10% of on-site demand (PPS22: Renewable Energy).
Turning down the thermostat by 1C can save you a further 10% of a household energy bill whilst not negatively affecting the comfort of occupants. (sepa.org.uk)
The energy consumed each year by UK commerce and industry releases about 60 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere. (sepa.org.uk)
The Climate Change Act aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through domestic and international action to 26-32% below 1990 levels by 2020, and at least 60% by 2050. (goeast.gov.uk)
Nuclear power stations provided 23% of UK’s electricity in 2003. By 2010, a third will be at the end of their operating lives. (news.bbc.co.uk)