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Energy Conservation Advice, Devices and Products |
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Energy and Human Ecology (Page 3). |
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In this section we identify some domestic
devices and products which are engineered with energy efficiency in mind including refrigerators (fridges), freezers and washing machines. A paragraph designers, businesses and suppliers. Some guidance is offered on green electricity generation, and more general DIY information is also given to help individuals.
Electrical leakage associated with standby use of equipment is covered and the European Energy Labelling system is described.
Condensing Boilers and CHP appear on the Alternative and Renewable Energy page but to quickly link to our Reference pages click for Condensing Boilers and for CHP.
Note: because
of their importance, Motor Vehicles have been moved to a separate page.
Most photographs on this site can be enlarged (click on them and "Back" to return) and can be used as Windows or Macintosh Backgrounds or Wallpapers.
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Energy Conserving Advice, Devices and Products |
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| Advice and Information | The links below are principally concerned with advising or informing professionals, including designers, businesses and suppliers. Some are UK government (or EU) initiatives or partners working with government. Some of them may be willing to advise individuals. | |||||||
| Association for the Conservation of Energy ACE) was formed to encourage a national awareness of energy conservation, to help to establish a consistent policy and increase investment in energy saving measures. | ||||||||
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Carbon Trust's free energy saving advice replaces that provided by Action Energy and the Government's Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme (EEBPP). It's designed to help UK organisations cut energy bills by using cost-effective technologies and management techniques. | |||||||
| Centre For Alternative Technology (CAT), an educational charity working for a sustainable future, claim to be Europe's foremost Eco-Centre. Their site provides a wealth of info, hints, tips and energy saving products. | ||||||||
| Climate Energy is a multi disciplined energy efficiency agency which provides innovative advice and funding solutions to local authorities, registered social landlords, homeowners and businesses, offering free and impartial advice through their energy advice centre. | ||||||||
| CREATE, a nfp organisation, works to reduce effects of climate change, promoting energy efficiency & sustainable development, helping individuals, communities and organisations with advice and training. | ||||||||
| ECO Centre runs two energy advice offices (EAC), providing free and impartial advice to householders across North, Mid and South West Wales to help with information on grants and schemes, also giving expert and practical advice about saving energy in your home. | ||||||||
| Energy Saving UK is a web site that gives information and tips on ways to save energy and also how to save money on household bills. | ||||||||
| Environmental Services Association (ESA)is the trade association for companies providing waste management and related environmental services including secondary resources industry. | ||||||||
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| The Energy Saving Trust (EST), established as part of the UK Government's response to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (to see Earth-Summit info, see our Reference page on the Kyoto Protocol), states it is the UK's leading organisation aiming to deliver energy efficiency programmes to domestic and business consumers. | ||||||||
| The European Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ECEEE) has a goal to stimulate energy efficiency through information exchange and pan-European cooperation, mainly via its Summer Study. | ||||||||
| Friends of the Earth states it is the largest international network of environmental groups in the world, achieving success on many energy related issues. | ||||||||
| The Milieunet Foundation is a NFP organisation focused on awareness and change of behaviour by means of communication about waste, energy, sustainability, nature, environment, climate, human rights and international development cooperation. Their web site, partly in Dutch and partly in English, contains energy saving tips and a weekly cartoon. | ||||||||
| Sust-it.net is an energy compression web site that has a simple objective which is to make us all more energy efficient by providing consumer information on the most energy efficient consumer products. | ||||||||
| Stewart King Environmental Engineers Ltd, a Scottish firm, operate a comprehensive service to help businesses and consumers to save energy and that means saving money. We are impressed by their coverage which includes energy surveys, heating, lighting, motors, generators, water saving and much more. A visit to their site is highly recommended. | ||||||||
| The World Energy Council (WEC) is the principal impartial network of leaders and practitioners promoting an affordable, stable and environmentally sensitive energy system for the greatest benefit of all. Formed in 1923, WEC is the UN-accredited global energy body. | ||||||||
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Green
Energy Suppliers  |
Some electricity suppliers provide
energy which is derived in part from renewable sources, or they may have
some other claim to be green. The cost can be less than conventional supplies
but it is worth checking on a regular basis as tariffs are likely to fluctuate,
apparently for 'business' reasons. In 2005 there is evidence that some green
suppliers have introduced very substantial price hikes. FOE states there are two types of green electricity tariffs: 'energy based' in which the supplier buys renewable energy to match the amount you use and 'fund based' where the supplier invests in green projects such as wind power. Some use a combination of both. |
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| Ecotricity state they started the UK's green electricity marketplace in 1996, to offer a choice of electricity that doesn't cost the earth. They continue to pioneer clean electricity generation to improve the environment. | ||||||||
energyhelpline.com is an independent price comparison service providing fast free friendly advice on their best gas and electricity deal. They compare all major UK suppliers to help find the best deal, then help switch with simple online forms; their calculator is approved by energywatch. |
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| Good Energy, an independent supplier/producer of renewable electricity services to domestic and corporate customers, buy and sell only electricity generated from renewable sources, like wind and hydroelectric power. | ||||||||
| Green Electricity Marketplace's site provides consumers with impartial, up-to-date information on green electricity tariffs on offer in the UK. They advise renewable energy generators/developers and electricity suppliers. | ||||||||
| Juice, from npower with Greenpeace, is an environmentally-friendly electricity supply service launched in August 2001 costing the same as normal electricity. Initially Juice will flow from onshore wind and hydro. | ||||||||
uSwitch.com is a free, impartial
comparison and switching service that helps customers compare prices on
a range of services including green energy. They aim to help you take
advantage of best prices and services on offer, with calculators that
evaluate many key factors like price, location, service and payment method,
and advise on best deal to suit you. |
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| Individual Help and DIY | While some of the links in 'Advice and Information' above may be prepared to give advice to individuals that doesn't appear to be their main purpose. The links below seem to be more geared up for the homeowner, especially for those with some DIY expertise. If you simply want to save energy or just reduce your bills (and why not?) these sites may be able to help. |
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| Brilliant Outdoors have a section 'Efficient Lighting and Saving Energy'; this is a going green guide for the home for individuals including kids, but many of the tips can apply to other areas too, including school or work. | ||||
| CAT (see above, under Advice) can supply Warmcell Insulation made from recycled newspaper, Radiator Insulation Panels, Clip Fin Solar Water Heating Panels and other products by mail order for DIY enthusiasts. | ||||
| GreenChoices is a not-for-profit initiative aiming to provide a one-stop guide to green alternatives available to everyone in Britain, encouraging you to make ecologically sound decisions in your everyday lives. | ||||
| Nicor Home Services have an 'Energy Efficiency Guidebook for Kids!' on their site giving lots of useful info. Nicor (US) provide domestic heating and air conditioning services. | ||||
| The UK Energy Saving web site gives information and tips on ways to save energy and also how to save money on household bills. | ||||
| Your Electrical Leakage |
A remarkable amount of electrical and electronic devices in the home and office are permanently connected to the mains and drawing power even when they are apparently switched off. The main offenders are those that allow switching to standby mode. A little effort on our part could make a very significant saving of energy. But then technology may soon come to our aid and save us the bother (for example we have a Pioneer VSX-D2011 600W surround amplifier, a real marvel, and its specified to draw less than 0.75W in standby!). |
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| Fridges and Freezers | Refrigerators and freezers work in the background almost silently, 24 hours a day, for years. Not surprisingly, they consume noticeable amounts of power and contribute to warming the planet. You can minimise the impact by selecting the right one and using it sensibly. | |||
| CAT's Green Refrigeration Tipsheet gives options for buying a fridge or freezer that save money and emit less pollution. It advises on reducing the impact of refrigeration and details energy efficient manufacturers. | ||||
| Fridgesavers was an innovative UK-wide project managed by LEEP (now Changeworks), ceased in 2002. It focused on providing efficient fridges and fridge freezers to low income households, in an attempt to take old fridges out of circulation. Search for Fridgesavers. | ||||
| Greenchoices' Fridges section gives advice on buying energy saving fridges and freezers and which makes are most energy efficient. | ||||
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| Washing Machines | The energy that goes into washing clothes is very high in terms of UK domestic electricity consumption and water usage, and is set to increase. CAT state there is scope to improve average efficiency of new washing machines and dishwashers by around 30%; you can help by buying the right machine. | |||
| CAT's Green Washing Machines Tipsheet gives information and advice on buying an energy efficient washing machine, how to save on fuel bills and reduce water consumption and details green manufacturers. | ||||
| Greenchoices' Washing Machines section gives advice on buying energy efficient washing machines and which are the greenest makes. (Note: as at Dec 02, there seems to be no Washing Machine section). | ||||
| Go up to Energy Conservation Index | ||||
| By law, the European Community Energy Label must be displayed on all new domestic fridges, freezers, fridge-freezer combinations, washing machines, electric tumble dryers, combined washer-dryers and dishwashers displayed for sale, hire-purchase or hire. Machines are rated 'A' to 'G', with 'A' being the most efficient. You should be told the rating when you buy or hire these products. | ||||
| DEFRA provide information on Energy Labels for Refrigeration and Washing Appliances including advice and details of calculating energy consumption and the European Ecolabel. | ||||
The Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is a non-profit association of third-party, environmental
performance labelling organizations founded in 1994 to improve, promote,
and develop the "ecolabelling" of products and services. |
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This image has no connection whatsoever. Just a pretty background picture. Click to see more. | |||
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