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Explore the heating actions organised by how they help you REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE
Explore the lighting actions organised by how they help you REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE
Explore the cooling and ventilation actions organised by how they help you REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE
Explore the appliances actions organised by how they help you REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE
Overview
Buildings are one of the major contributors to energy usage and carbon emissions. Most houses are very inefficient in their use of energy and whilst simple improvements can be made, there are limits to what can be done without major alterations to the building's fabric.
The legislative emphasis on new building efficiencies is good but in the UK only a handful of properties have been built in a way that allows them to operate in a sustainable manner with minimal energy input. Planning constraints hamper the development of greener buildings, especially in conservation areas.
If we want greener buildings, we need to lobby the politicians and planners for necessary change. Current UK legislation still only scratches the surface of what's possible!
Considerations
- Owned versus rented properties
- Where does responsibility for action lie?
- What are the expected gains for each action?
- Old property versus young, etc.
- Legislative drivers needed to encourage action by all parties
- Current housing stock will dominate agenda
- Older properties are likely to comprise 60% to 70% of the housing stock in 2050.
- Challenge of upgrading older properties.
- Should rateable value of a property be tied to its energy efficiency?
- Heating forms the largest element of domestic energy usage.
- Heating accounts for approx. 60% of UK domestic energy input.
- Enhancements through energy efficiency and energy effectiveness.
- Energy reduction via insulation - offers great potential in most buildings.
- Switching to less polluting energy sources
- Use gas in place of coal and oil
- Greater use of renewable energy - biomass, hydro, solar, wave and wind
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