Activities North East London Energy Advice Centre (NELEEAC) is an Energy Efficiency Advice Centre approved by the Energy Savings Trust with a mandate to promote energy efficiency in the London Boroughs of Newham, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Haringey, Enfield and Waltham Forest.
North East London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre offers free, impartial and independent advice on energy saving measures to reduce fuel bills in your home.
1. Types of Advice
Energy Efficiency: Loft insulation, wall insulation, draught proofing, boiler;
Loft Insulation Heat rises and you could save 25% of your heating costs with 250mm of insulation in the loft.
Types of Insulation There are three types of loft insulation: blown mineral wool/blown cellulose fibre, mineral wool quilt and loose fill. Heat loss is greater from certain areas such as joist so them.
Wall Insulation
Typical cavity wall brick pattern
Typical solid brick wall pattern
More heat is lost through walls than any other route. If your home is insulated your walls are responsible for as much as 35% of all lost heat.
was built after the early 1930's you probably have cavity walls. That means your walls have an inner and outer layer with a small air gap or 'cavity' in between. If you are unsure whether your home has cavity walls you can tell by looking at the brick pattern below.
Cavity Wall Insulation Cavity wall insulation is a simple solution, which can reduce heat loss through the wall by up to 60%. A professional installer, who uses specialist equipment to inject insulating material from outside into the cavity by drilling small holes in the wall, always does it. Various types of insulating materials can be used – foam, mineral wool (rock or glass or polystyrene beads) the cost depends on the type of material used and the size of the house.
Solid Wall Insulation This is more expensive and should be carried out by a qualified installer. Insulated render and cladding comprises a layer of insulation mounted on the outside of the walls and weatherproofed by render or cladding with a decorative finish. It is particularly cost effective when the outside walls need repairing or re-rendering.
Draught Proofing Hold up the palm of your hands to your windows and doors. Wherever you feel cold air coming in, warm air is going out. 20% of heat can be lost through tiny gaps around windows, doors and floors. By fitting effective draught proofing materials you cannot only save on your fuel bills but also experience less draughts
Boilers There are four main types of modern boilers using gas, LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) or oil:
Condensing boiler
Non-condensing boiler
Non-condensing combination boiler
Condensing combination boiler
Condensing boiler is the most efficient type of boiler available. It converts 88% of fuel into heat compared with the 72% that standard boilers can manage. Because these boilers are so efficient, they take much more heat out of flue gases and the water vapour becomes visible (known as pluming). For this reason the boiler flue should be sited way from neighbouring property and away from doors and windows.
Renewable Energy: Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV), Solar water heating, Ground Source Heat Pumps, Wild Energy, Hydropower, Biomass Energy
Renewable energy is energy that is derived from an inexhaustible sources such as wind, sun, sea or replaceable sources such as waste products and crops. By using renewable energy sources alongside traditional forms of energy (used efficiently) you can positively help tackle climate change - specifically global warming. The types of renewable energy source available in UK include:
Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV) Solar electric technology is simply the conversion of solar radiation into electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are used in simple applications e.g. calculators and watches and also for larger applications. Large PV systems can be integrated into buildings to generate electricity.
Solar water heating Solar panels are typically roof mounted. They work by absorbing solar radiation (the sun's energy) to heat water. Solar water heating (SWH) panels are the most commonly used form of solar energy currently used today. A typical installed system will provide 50-70% of hot water needs over the year.
Ground Source Heat Pumps Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) transfer heat from the ground into a building to provide space heating and, in some cases, pre-heating domestic hot water. For every unit of electricity used to pump the heat, 3-4 units of heat are produced. As well as ground source heat pumps, air source and water source heat pumps are also possible.
Wind Energy People have used the power of the wind for many years to produce mechanical power for milling grain and pumping water. In recent times wind turbine technology has enabled us to harness wind to generate electricity. This renewable source of energy has great potential in both onshore and offshore wind farms. Wind power is one of the cleanest and safest of all the renewable commercial methods of generating electricity. The UK has the largest wind resource in the whole of Europe.
Hydropower The energy potential of moving water has been harnessed for thousands of years, originally using water wheels to drive mills and machinery. Hydropower currently produces 2% of the UK electricity needs. Whilst most of this comes from large dam projects installed many years ago, there is still an untapped small hydropower potential in certain parts of the UK.
Biomass Energy Today, fast growing trees like willow and poplar can be used as commercial energy crops to meet local heating needs, or used in power stations to generate electricity. These energy crops offer a means of developing a renewable source in many agricultural areas of the country, supplying power and creating employment. Wastes from agricultural and forestry operations can also be used in this way.
For more information contact NELEEAC on 0800 512 012 or visit www.lessenergy.co.uk
Transport: Reduce fuel consumption, Simple tips for car drivers
Reduce fuel consumption It won't come as any surprise to find that cars and other vehicles are the major cause of air pollution in urban areas and around busy roads. Although air quality in the UK is slowly improving, many areas will still fail to meet national and European air quality standards, which is why we all need to take a deep breath and do something to help. Below are some simple tips on how you can make a difference.
Simple tips for car drivers It's all about using your common sense (and sometimes your legs). Instead of using your car for short journeys, try walking, cycling or hopping on a bus.
Road transport is responsible for 22% of the UK's total carbon dioxide emissions There are over 120 pollution hotspots in the UK, which means that national air quality targets won't be met. Up to 24,000 people die prematurely in the UK every year as a result of poor air quality.
2. GID – Grants information database Information about grants discounts and loans available to assist with home energy efficient improvements.
3. Home Visits Home visits are a service provided for tenants who are housebound or otherwise unable to visit the NELEEAC centre, and advice, tailored to the individuals needs is given.
TelecomPlus Energy Services - 0208 520 3784 A dedicated phone line for Telecomplus customers, which provides free, impartial and independent energy efficiency advice on energy saving measures to reduce fuel bills in the home.
Fill Home Energy Check form
Information about Home Energy Labelling
Energy Efficiency awareness training for domestic properties, community groups, schools, etc
Energy efficiency exhibitions and displays
Information about energy efficient appliances, products and materials
Price comparisons for gas & electricity
Redbridge Energy Services - 0208 478 1318 A dedicated phone line for Redbridge residents to provide free, impartial and independent energy efficiency advice on energy saving measures to reduce fuel bills in the home.
Energy advice – how to save energy and cut heating costs at home or in business, how to get out of fuel debt.
Information about energy efficient appliances, products and materials
Information about Home Energy Labeling
Details of energy consultants and local contractors able to undertake energy efficient work
Energy Efficiency awareness training for domestic properties, community groups, schools, etc
Energy efficiency exhibitions and displays
Media coverage for events
Joint project with LA21 (London boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Enfield)
Based in the south-west of the UK, The Severn Wye Energy Agency is one of a network of agencies across Europe, set up to stimulate the development of sustainable energy. SWEA are working on a variety of schemes and projects both locally and regionally and are active within Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire and Wiltshire. Their key areas of work are strategy development, training, project development and management, advice and information.
SWEA services support both the public and private sector and include providing help, training and advice to both the general public and to key workers in Local Authorities, County Council and Social Services.
Registered as an educational charity and a limited company, SWEA engage in action to develop energy efficiency and renewable energy. They also work to help people vulnerable to the effects of poor heating through a variety of initiatives focusing on affordable warmth. This type of support is available through the region's Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, for which SWEA hold the contract. This provides free and impartial advice on energy related matters through a free phone number.
CONTACTS
Catrin Maby Director of SWEA
Rachel Close Educative Advisor of SWEA
Severn Wye Energy Agency Unit 6/15 The MEWS Brook Street Mitcheldean Gloucestershire GL17 0SL
