Energy Efficiency and RecyclingEnergy efficiency and your homeThis information is to help you keep warm, save money and reduce the impact your home has on the environment. It's important to understand why this is so important. Why save energy?Whenever we flick on a light, turn up the heating or switch on the TV, we use energy. In fact, all of our heating, hot water, lighting and appliances use energy - and as a nation we're consuming more energy than ever before. Using energy from fossil fuels contributes to what is known as 'the greenhouse effect', or 'climate change'. This is generally bad news for our current way of life as well as the environment, and unless we all make an effort to change our patterns of energy use, we won't be able to adapt to the changing climate that we've helped to create. Saving energy in the homeDid you realise that the average home results in the emission of more carbon dioxide, a powerful greenhouse gas, than an average car every year? Roughly a quarter of the total amount of carbon dioxide we produce as a country results from our use of energy in the home. And the average householder could save up to £200 off their annual energy bill by making their home more energy efficient. We can all make a real difference to the environment and our bank balance by using less energy in the home and Broxbourne Housing Association is here to help. Basic Measures to HelpInsulating your loft and walls (a programme is already well underway to ensure that all the cavity walls and lofts are insulated) Draught proofing can be very cost effective and can be done by most reasonable competent DIYers (if you are elderly or disabled and have purchased your own draft proofing you may wish to consider the "handy van" scheme for installation. For further information please ring 01279 755905) Investing in energy efficient appliances for your home, look out for the rating attached to them and try to buy "A" rated ones Investing in energy efficient heating systems & boilers (BHA seeks to always install "A" rated condensing boilers where practical) Using low energy lighting (if you are in receipt of any means tested benefit then please come to the Association's office and receive energy efficient light bulbs free of charge while stock is held)
Saving WaterBHA is keen for its tenants to use rainwater on their gardens as it is better for plants and also much better for the environment. To have a water butt, you will need a plastic rainwater downpipe that serves your property. The water butts are free of charge, so if you are interested please contact the Repairs Team on 01992 453750. In addition, BHA will be installing spray taps instead of the more traditional types (except in baths) as evidence shows that these use significantly less water and are fine for all household functions. Dual flush toilets will also be fitted as standard as again they use less water than more traditional models. Recycling is available from your local Council and it is really important that we all participate. For further information, if you live in Broxbourne, you may wish to contact Broxbourne Borough Council on 01992 785555. CompostingBHA has a ‘rocket’ at Emmanuel Lodge, one of its extra-care retirement schemes. This is a state of the art composter, enabling us to recycle all the food waste, produced from our kitchens. Within just three weeks, the rocket produces compost for the gardens around the Scheme, without need for transporting the waste or incinerating it. We have more conventional composters at other retirement schemes. You can download a booklet with more energy efficiency tips for your home, please click here. |
