Energy Infosheet

  1. The Kyoto Protocol of 2002 requires a reduction of 8% of carbon emissions by 2009 compared to 1990 levels.
  2. However the Brussels Summit of 2007 requires a 20% reduction. A 60% reduction is expected by 2050.
  3. It also requires a 10% use of bio fuels for transport by 2020.
  4. Incandescent light bulbs will be banned by 2009.
  5. So you will have to fit low energy lighting by then.
  6. In 80 years, the earth's temperature will have risen by 6.5°C.
  7. A rise of more than 2°C will have severe effects on everyday life.
  8. Greenhouse gases are: water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs, nitrous oxide and ozone.
  9. Greenhouse gases are produced by burning fossil fuels, cutting down rain forests and from animals.
  10. Methane is a very dangerous greenhouse gas. Wetlands produce it and there is 3000 times more methane in the oceans than in the atmosphere. If the icebergs melt this methane will be released, making the situation even worse and more quickly.
  11. The loss of ozone in the atmosphere allows more powerful UVB rays from the sun through to the surface, potentially causing up to 8000 more cases of skin cancer in the UK each year.
  12. By 2050, we will be experiencing a strange new climate. Longer summers, shorter winters. More flooding, no snow, citrus fruits growing in the UK and much higher insurance costs.
  13. It is possible, in our lifetime, that towns on the coast will flood, rivers dry up, plants become extinct and storms become much more violent.
  14. However, even if you remain sceptical, remember that reducing your energy output will save you money. And that must be a good thing!
  15. 40% of fuel used in the UK is gas, a fossil fuel. Only 1% is from renewable sources.
  16. Since 1990 the use of gas has increased by 86%, but it is running out and already we rely on Russia for some of our supply.
  17. 31% of energy use in the UK is from domestic housing - and this is increasing.
  18. The EU Directive of 2002 says an EPC must be produced when a building is constructed, rented, or sold.
  19. Only a qualified and accredited DEA can produce an EPC.
  20. 27% of all greenhouse gases come from domestic housing.
  21. The EPC is graded from A to G (100 - 1)
  22. The average for the UK is Grade E - 46/100
  23. Only a house producing more power than it uses will ever get an A grade.
  24. The best way to increase your rating on an EPC is to upgrade your boiler to a condensing model.
  25. Only 31% of housing has cavity wall insulation. 94% has loft insulation.
  26. 10% of housing in the UK has no insulation at all. Only 14% has full insulation.
  27. Walls, lofts, windows and floors can be insulated and fairly cheaply.
  28. Grants can be obtained to help with improving your home's insulation.
  29. It is everyone's responsibility to make energy savings. A little effort from everybody can make a difference.
  30. Ignoring climate change won't make it go away.

More information can be found at these websites:

European directive, EPC & HIP information

Official energy reducing information sites

Local energy reduction sites

Energy reducing sites

Calculating and reducing carbon footprint

Resources – energy saving products - details

Recycling

Local and national home improvement grant schemes

Other sites

The above links redirect to external websites and therefore EMDEA cannot be held responsible for their content.