Clean and Green

Energy for Power and Heat

Don't want to read it all, then here are our Top Ten Tips to use less energy and reduce carbon emissions

Use vehicles less, especially for short journeys with no other passengers
Buy local products which require less energy in transport
Switch off electrical goods like TV's, DVD's and set top boxes, rather than leaving them on stand by; they can still be using 85% of their energy in stand by mode. Leaving chargers switched on has the same effect too.
Switch off lights when you leave a room and use heating controls correctly and efficiently
Switch off the monitor of your computer when not in use even if you have to leave the computer on.
Use energy efficient light bulbs and fittings and buy energy efficient fridges, freezers, washing machines and dishwashers. They are now all clearly labelled
Ensure your property has good insulation in the walls and loft space
Remove car roof racks when they are not in use. They increase air resistance on top of your car and cause more fuel to be used and don't automatically use car air-conditioning. It can increase fuel consumption by 10%.
Switch to a green or renewable energy tariff which a number of energy suppliers now offer
Fit a range of renewable energy devices like a small wind turbine, solar thermal panel or photo voltaic cells to your property (but only if you've done all you can to reduce your energy consumption in the first place)

This webpage concentrates on the use of energy to heat and power buildings. Please look at our Transport webpages for information about how to reduce energy from travel.

If you are interested in offsetting or compensating for your unavoidable carbon emissions, we now have a unique fund called CarbonFREE

Why is reducing energy use for heat and power so important?

The energy we use for travel and in our homes, businesses and organisations for light, heat and power, is usually produced by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas. These produce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, which are the main reason for increased global warming and climate change. Our Climate Change pages tell you more.

Energy generated by nuclear power stations does not create carbon dioxide or methane itself. However, in the view of this council, the considerable financial costs and the non renewable energy used to build the nuclear power stations, coupled with the long term storage and treatment of the highly toxic radioactive waste, prevents it being a sustainable energy source in the long term.

In addition to the environmental damage fossil fuels can cause when they are burnt (through pollution and greenhouse gas emissions), extracting and transporting them can cause damage as well, such as disturbing wildlife at the extraction site, causing air pollution or through oil spills and gas leaks. None of these events fit with sustainable development as they effect the environment, society and economy. However, we do need to use energy if we wish to maintain our current way of life but in a developed society, there are steps we can take to reduce the impacts of energy use and the environmental damage caused. Such steps include:

use less energy
use energy efficiently
use renewable energy (which is not generated from fossil fuel combustion)

Doing Your Bit

If you are a householder

The Council has produced a basic information sheet pdf that gives you some important information and where to got further advice. We also have a a new booklet that tells you much more about some technologies - An Introduction to Renewable and Low Carbon Technologies Suitable for Homes pdf Alternatively, the local Your Energy Saving Advice Centre will be able to give to advice on energy savings you can make at home (as well as information on small scale renewable technologies). Phone them free on 0800 512012 or visit their website selecting the link you need. Check out our Home Energy Conservation pages or the Energy Savings Trust is also a good source of information for householders.

If you are a school or college

Although we are not your Local Education Authority (that is Hampshire County Council), Eastleigh Borough Council has put together a basic information sheet for schools and colleges pdf to show how you can use energy more sustainably (and much more besides).

Also, we still have some Teacher Resource packs written for Key Stages 2 and 3 as part of the Renewable Energy in Eastleigh Project (REEP pdf ) . These were distributed to local schools during 2005/6. Phone 023 8068 8085 or email sustainability@eastleigh.gov.uk for more information about these packs.

If you are a Community Organisation running a building

We are currently promoting the second phase of the Borough of Eastleigh Energy Project pdf . . All community organisations have already been contacted by different several means but, in summary, this scheme offers a visit from an Energy Adviser and the possibility of up to a £1000 grant for energy efficiency or sustainable energy measures.

If you are a local business

The Carbon Trust specialises in all sorts of advice to businesses on how to reap the financial as well as environmental benefits of reducing your energy use and hence carbon emissions. Also, the Business Division of the Environment Centre runs a Green Business Club called SIEnA and also provides more personal advice to local businesses.

What the Council Is Doing

We're so serious about reducing our own energy use from key activities that we've pledged to Go Carbon Neutral by July 2012

Community Sustainable Energy projects

As well as trying to set an example to our local community by reducing our own energy usage and installing sustainable energy technologies where possible, we have a number of community based projects that can be seen around the Borough.

These include:

Photovoltaic and solar thermal panels at Lakeside Country Park

A wind turbine and ground source heat pump at Itchen Valley Country Park

Other Community groups that we've helped to install renewable energy technologies include the Wells Place Centre in Eastleigh (solar thermal panels under phase 1 of the Borough of Eastleigh Energy Project) and the Baden Powell Scouts Pavilion, Hedge End (a micro wind turbine under the Windy Homes Project).

A Combined Heat and Power (CHP) district heating system linking Fleming Park Leisure Centre and the Civic Offices

The Council's commitment to raising awareness about Renewable Energy was recognised at the end of 2005 by the South East Region's Sustainable Energy Partnership, when we won the local authority category.

In partnership with the Environment Centre and other local councils, we undertook a research project on micro wind turbines being promoted to householders. This interim Windy Homes project report pdf has now been completed.

Stop Press

The Council has been short listed by the Government to be a Beacon Council for tackling Climate Change – only one of 2 District Councils in England.

Energy for Power and Heat

Doing Your Bit

What the Council Is Doing

Stop Press

Links