Climate Change Action Plan

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council - Climate Change Action Plan - June 2010

If you need an accessible version of this document contact the Contact Centre on 01372 732000 or contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk 

Link to download a copy of the Action Plan

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.

GLEEN

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is promoting a new Government funded scheme.
Measures available under the scheme include:

• Loft insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• Replacement central heating boiler or complete system
• Further energy efficiency measures
• A check on your entitlement to benefits.

Work can be done free of charge or at greatly discounted prices.

Please phone GLEEN to speak to one of their advisors who will be able to help with any queries you may have on 0800 652 3163.

Green Project (formerly Heat Project)

The Green Project, formerly the Heat Project, has 14 years of experience in providing insulation measures and solar systems to UK properties, driving down energy bills whilst making homes more energy efficient.

The Green Project, supported by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, provides discounted grant assisted loft and cavity wall insulation to all homeowners, residential landlords and private tenants in your area, helping to save householders up to £365 a year in fuel bills.

Furthermore, the Green Project enables all UK homeowners to enjoy the benefits of a more energy efficient home whilst saving and earning money, through the installation of solar electricity and solar hot water panels.

For more information or to apply, please contact the Green Project on free phone 0800 093 4050 or visit www.greenprojectuk.com

Warm Front Grants

The Warm Front Team is a government-funded scheme which can provide grants to make your home warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.  The grants are for people who own their own home or who privately rent their home (not rented from the Council or Housing Association).  The grants are means-tested.

To find out if you are eligible for this grant, contact the Warm Front Team on
0800 316 2814 or via www.warmfront.co.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.

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 the website or phone Sarah Clayton on 01372 722341.

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.

Energy Perfromance 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.
 
DECs show the actual energy usage of a building, the operational rating and help the public 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.

DECs 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.

For more information on energy certificates, please visit

Display energy certificates
Energy performance certificates