Climate Change Action Plan
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council - Climate Change Action Plan - June 2010
If you need an accessible version of this document, please call the Contact Centre on 01372 732000 or email contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk
Link to download a copy of the Action Plan (pdf - 38kb)
Energy Efficiency
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is committed to reducing the levels of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere which contribute to global warming. We hope to do this by promoting various energy efficiency measures that can be taken by residents, which will also make their homes warmer and reduce their heating bills.
Each home wastes on average £200 every year paying for fuel that has escaped out of the house as a result of poor insulation. By installing loft insulation you can save up to 30% on your fuel consumption and cavity wall insulation can save you around 35%.
There are various grants available for heating and insulation improvements to your home. Please see below for information on the grants and discount schemes available.
Actio2n Surrey
Actio2n Surrey is a partnership project that offers homeowners impartial advice on how to reduce energy in the home or install a renewable technology, like solar panels. It’s supported by several councils across Surrey, including Epsom & Ewell. Just some of the things available through Action Surrey are; impartial and practical energy advice, discounted insulation, a trusted installer network for renewable technology and case studies of residents who have been there and done it.
For more information please call 0800 783 2503 or visit the Action Surrey website.
Warm Front Scheme
The Warm Front Scheme provides a package of insulation and/or heating measures to households who own their property or rent from a private landlord and are in receipt of certain benefits. It offers grants up to a maximum of £3500 (or £6000 if oil central heating is involved) less the value of any previous works. Households could receive a combination of insulation and heating improvements.
To find out if you are eligible for this grant, contact the Warm Front Team on 0800 316 2814 or via the Warmfront website.
Epsom & Ewell Energy Group
The Epsom & Ewell Energy Group was set up to provide advice and information on energy matters to local residents and to encourage energy efficiency improvements in their homes. Through its website and through regular meetings on energy topics it also acts as a forum for the exchange of views and experiences on energy topics.
For further information visit their website www.epsom-ewellenergy.org.uk or phone Sarah Clayton on 01372 722341.
Energy Savings Trust Advice Centre
The Centre offers independent advice, information and telephone helpline service on energy efficiency. This includes general advice and information on energy saving measures, cashback offers from the Energy Savings Trust, availability of grants, local suppliers and installers of energy saving equipment. The Centre also gives advice on energy saving for individual homes using a home energy survey and follow-up advice. They can also help with advice on solar energy and solar water heating.
To contact the Energy Savings Trust for free and impartial advice on saving energy at home, telephone: 0800 512 012 or visit their website www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Cheap and simple steps towards being more energy efficient
- Eliminate draughts and wasted heat by using draught excluders; there are a variety available or you can use newspaper, beading or sealant
- Turn down your thermostat by 1 degree which will cut your heating bills and save energy
- For hot water, most people find that water set to 60 degrees is fine for washing and bathing
- Close your curtains at dusk to prevent heat loss
- Turn off lights as you leave the room and use energy efficient light bulbs
- Don't leave appliances on standby, although make sure you check the manufacturer's instructions before altering any settings
- Try to ensure you have a full load before running the washing machine or tumble dryer
- Use your central heating programmer; set the system to come on only at the times you need it.
Energy Performance Certificates
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) were introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
If you are buying or selling a home you now need a certificate by law. From October 2008, EPCs will be required whenever a building is built, sold or rented out. The certificate provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least, with the average up to now being 'D'.
Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs alongside an associated report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient.
Apart from the EPCs, occupiers of public sector buildings are required to produce a Display Energy Certificate (DEC). Hospitals, schools, local authorities offices and all public buildings with a floor area greater than 1,000m², providing a public service to a large number of people and therefore visited by those people, should display a valid Display Energy Certificate (DEC) or face a fine.
DEC's show the actual energy usage of a building, what the operational rating is and helps the public to understand and see the energy efficiency of a building. This is based on the energy consumption of the building as recorded by gas, electricity and other meters. The DEC should be clearly displayed at all times and clearly visible to the public. A DEC is always accompanied by an Advisory Report that lists cost effective measures to improve the energy rating of the building.
DEC's are valid for one year and the accompanying Advisory Report is valid for seven years and must be carried out by licensed assessors registered with an accreditation scheme approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government, using accredited software.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council requires four Display Energy Certificates: Town Hall, Playhouse, The Ebbisham Centre and Bourne Hall and they are displayed in the reception area of each building.
Energy performance certificates
For more information on Energy Performance Certificates, please visit the
Energy performance certificates website.