Reducing energy use in domestic properties
The rapidly rising cost of energy has given us all an incentive to reduce energy losses and usage in our homes.
The following will reduce energy losses and should probably be your first priority:
The following will reduce energy losses and should probably be your first priority:
- Draught proofing, including seals for doors and windows, closing off unused chimneys and sealing round joists when accessible.
- Installing double (or triple) glazing and insulated doors (which will also improve draught proofing).
- Insulating your loft or roof and floors.
- Insulating cavity walls or solid walls.
- Insulating hot water cylinders and pipes.
- A good starting point is to make sure that your existing heating system is up to date and operating efficiently.
- In the longer term, given good insulation, most homes will probably convert to heat pumps, which act like a refrigerator in reverse, pumping heat from the outside into your home.
DRAFT: under development
A joint working group is being established to address energy saving, involving Sustainable Bridgnorth, Bridgnorth Town Council, Bridgnorth Lions and members of earlier Bridgnorth Plan activities. Sustainable Bridgnorth is currently leading the initiative.
Recent increases in energy costs serve to increase the return from implementing energy saving measures, which, at the same time, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and help address Climate Change.
We are initially considering work on the following:
Information and advice
Recent increases in energy costs serve to increase the return from implementing energy saving measures, which, at the same time, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and help address Climate Change.
We are initially considering work on the following:
Information and advice
- Identify and promote energy / carbon / money saving initiatives for the residents of Bridgnorth.
- A website with (or linking to) information - these web pages provide an starting point.
- Source and provide information on technical issues.
- Insulation: glazing, insulating blinds, internal, external and cavity wall insulation, loft and underfloor insulation.
- Condensing boilers and radiator sizing (including preparing for heat pumps). Smart heating controls. Involve local heating engineers.
- Solar panels.
- Heat pumps, home batteries, EVs …
- Best practice and tips on how to save energy (e.g. 1°C temp reduction gives 6% saving.)
- Provide a thermal imaging survey service.
- Promote energy efficiency audits for households.
- Identify and promote existing best-practice installations (as per Green Doors).
- Source and provide information on funding - see Shropshire Council's page at Funding Opportunities for a starting point.
- Apply for funding support, from Shropshire Council, government and elsewhere.
- Prepare to lobby on large-scale issues with a clear understanding and plan.
- Inform residents on future energy generation facts to gain support.
- Change Conservation Area rules for double glazing and solar panels.
- Achieve a local transport plan.
- Train tradesmen - CPD.
- Provide a list of competent local tradesmen to carry out work.
- Purchasing agreements for materials and installation.
Useful websites and information
- A group at Warwick University have provided an analysis of the impact of the energy crisis on householders in Shropshire.
- Shropshire Council:
- South Shropshire Climate Action
- Marches Energy Agency
- Stretton Climate Care
- Green Shropshire Exchange
- Zero Carbon Shropshire
- Save Our Shropshire
- Energy Saving Trust
- Government initiatives, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- Herefordshire Green Network
- Great Collaboration: a collaborative project centred on Herefordshire
- Centre for Sustainable Energy