energy efficiency in homes to reduce CO2 emissions?

Question

any ideas for introducing a range of measures to reduce CO2 emissions

Answer 1

The number one thing you can do to improve your energy efficiency is insulate. The majority of energy used in houses in the UK is for space heating but with careful design the demand can be virtually removed. This means adding loft insulation, filling cavity walls (for those in receipt of benefits, grants may be available in the UK).

Secondly, an efficient boiler is a good idea if yours is not up to modern standards. A 90% efficient condensing boiler is best.

Cheap and easy things include changing to low energy lightbulbs and fitting thick curtains which you close at night.

Only after you have made sure you're wasting as little enrgy as possible should you think about putting in alternative technologies. Domestic wind turbines are generally a bad idea as they take a long time to repay the energy of manufacture. In energy terms (and payback time) the best is solar hot water (try SolarTwin). A ground source heat pump is a good if expensive and disruptive option and is good when linked to an underfloor heating system.

For more detailed information you could contact the Energy Savings Trust or the Centre fro Alternative Technology.

Answer 2

A very simple but effective measure homeowners can do to save money on their power bill and reduce their home's CO2 emissions by I believe a few tons annually is to unplug appliances such as TV, VCR/DVD, stereos when they are not in use. The easiest way to do this is plug them all into a power strip that has an off button. Simply hit the off button when then are not in use. I do this daily when I leave my house. Even though these appliances are not being used they consume electricity to operate their displays and other small internal devices.

Answer 3

I seen a chap with solar panels on the roof of his van. he used them to charge three batteries that in turn charged all his power tools he used in his job as a mobile joiner.

I looked into installing a system in a house using 12 volt lighting and a battery accumulator system to run TV, fridge etc.

I found the cost would be around £10,000 and you need a licence and a system to put surplice power back onto the national grid.

Economics show that the cost x return make this at present not economic option. However if prices keep rising it will be in a few years.

Answer 4

With the scale of new housebuilding in Britain there is plenty point in CO2 reduction methods. It should be legislation that all new builds are thoroughly insulated and have a form of micro energy production - ie windmill or solar hot water etc. This is in line with Greenpeace's campaign on decentralised energy - that we shouldn't just be supporting large scale windfarms and projects, (as with all large scale private developments, there will be badly thought out ones) but localised means of energy production which avoid the need for centralisation and use of pylons and miles of cable - which lose up to 1/3 of energy in transporting it to our homes.

Answer 5

No point in changing energy effeciency of homes. LOOK AT ALL THOSE TRUCKS!! The stupid EPA doesnt put strict regulations on their emissions.