DEMAND AND CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCTION The second step to the whole carbon neutral community pathway is the reduction of the demand and carbon emissions of the community. PAGE OVERVIEW: Energy Efficient Measures Insulation & Glazing Energy Efficient Heating Energy Efficient Appliances Energy Efficient Lighting Behaviour Change Result Analysis ENERGY EFFICIENT MEASURES Once an energy audit of the building stock has been completed, the following energy efficiency measures can be adopted. These tried and tested energy efficiency measures can reduce energy consumption by up to 70% and are therefore essential in reducing demand. The following shows the steps undertaken by the team in hypothetically reducing demand in the Riverside Community; Insulation and Glazing Energy Efficient Heating System Energy Efficient Appliances Energy Efficient Lighting Behaviour Change   1. Insulation and Glazing 1920's - 1950's Buildings The design of these houses has not changed radically for 70 years and was expanded with the introduction of the Parker Morris model standards after the World War II. They account for about a third of the buildings in the Riverside area and are common throughout Scottish towns and cities. The construction consists of cavity-brick walls, built with pitched roofs- possibly with some insulation fitted later. The windows (typically timber framed) could also have been replaced. The floors are concrete on the ground with timber upstairs. It is possible to reduce demand and save energy through an integrated package of heating and insulation improvements. Insulation solutions for this type of house include cavity wall, internal or external, loft insulation, timber or solid floor insulation, draught proofing and double glazing. Victorian and Edwardian Period terraces, tenements and villas are typically built with solid masonry walls, timber floors, and a slate pitched roof. Other typical features include lath-and-plaster ceilings, single sash windows, and an open fire place that might still be in use. With this type of property there may be period features and issues about listed buildings and/or conservation area status. The same insulation solution can be incorporated as before except cavity insulation. A typical housing example for this period of building could be: a medium sized, solid- wall end of terrace house. the walls and suspended floor are not insulated. 100mm of insulation has been installed in the loft. the windows are single glazed. there is a solid wooden front and back door. Best practice solution would entail insulating doors, applying wall and floor insulation, increasing loft insulation to 250mm. Sealing the building to prevent heat loss-such as chimney balloons. External insulation could be applied, but due to conservation issues surrounding Victorian buildings it has not been applied. Replacement timber double glazing can be introduced using aesthetically sensitive design and materials. There are various information sources which can help with the particular type of building that requires insulation and glazing to be installed. The following are useful. www.greenstreet.org.uk and www.est.org.uk .     2. Energy Efficient Heating System The above hypothetical Victorian house has one open fire place and a second using solid fuel to a back boiler serving central heating radiators. there is no programmer , room thermostat , or thermostatic radiator valve or interlock on the system Hot water is provided through a simple cylinder with 25mm jacket insulation, the cooker is connected to the gas mains and electrical appliances are considered average use. Applying best practice: Condensing boilers can be introduced to provide communal heating to areas with programmable radiator and thermostatic controls provided. Insulation of all piping can be undertaken to to maintain heat retention. Similar improvement can be installed in other types of houses and many are households liable for grants, interest free loans and free advice to help choose and install the most appropriate. Check for the local government sponsored 'Warm Deal Scheme' running in your area.   3. Energy Efficient Appliances Incorporating 'A' Grade energy efficient appliance is relatively easy to purchase in today's market. These white goods reduce energy consumption by up to 20-30% and are therefore an economically and ecologically attractive option. Energy labels are designed to tell you the exact energy consumption of the appliance in units (kWh's) under standard conditions. It must, by law, be displayed on all of the following types of new household product displayed for sale, hire or hire-purchase: Fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers Washing machines Tumble dryers Washer dryers Dishwashers Electric ovens Air conditioners Lighting Boilers   Energy savings on these appliances from a Grade C to Grade A can be between 27% for a dishwasher and 56% for fridge freezer and are therefore an easy way of reducing energy and bills as shown in the table. * source: www.greensrteet.org.uk , www.est.org.uk   4. Energy Efficient Lighting Low energy lighting is easily installed in to any housing unit and the quality of the lighting performance has improved in conjunction with the unit price falling. Low energy lighting reduces energy consumption by 80% and it is therefore an easy and economic method of energy efficiency. Many utility companies provide subsidised or free light filaments so it is worth while contacting your local electricity supplier for offers.     5. Behaviour Change Behaviour change amongst occupants of a building will significantly lower energy demand. Research by the Energy Savings Trust (www.est.org.uk), shows that energy awareness and the attendant change in building occupant behaviour regarding energy reduction can reduce energy use in buildings by up to 20-30%. As this is more significant than most solution for CO2 reduction we encourage energy awareness meetings of residents to share knowledge and encourage others t make these simple but effective changes. Here are some useful tips. Maximise day lighting while minimising artificial lighting. Rearrange seating areas for tasks such as computer work and reading etc so as to avoid the 'lights on/ blinds drawn' scenario during the day. Reducing the temperature by 1°C on your thermostatic controls can cut your fuel bills by up to 10%. Try to frequently defrost the refrigerators and freezers and do not place next to a heater or oven. Do not leave the door open for longer than necessary and try not place hot food in. For washing machines and dryers, a 40°C washing cycle uses a third less electricity rather than a 60°C cycle. Use the economy setting or half load setting for small quantity of washing and always try to naturally dry clothes- especially during summer. Cooking practise. Keep saucepan lids on when cooking to reduce condensation and energy. When cooking vegetables, use just enough water to cover them. Use a kettle to boil water - it is quicker and more efficient than using a pan and only boil the amount of water you need - choose kettles with a water gauge (these measures also contribute to water conservation). Windows. Draw curtains at dusk to stop heat being lost through the windows. Take care not to drape curtains over radiators. Lined curtains will also help stop heat escaping. Other Electrical Appliances. Turn off the appliances instead of keeping them on stand by. Smart Metering. This is a centrally placed, visible electricity meter which gives minute by minute consumption rates. Research in Sweden has shown it leads to increased energy awareness (especially amongst children) and helps to motivate residents to reduce the energy consumption and thus CO2 emission. Combining these simple but effective measures will result in a noticeable and significant reduction in your energy use and bills   RESULT ANALYSIS Various contemporary research has shown that adopting the above outlined measures can significantly reduce energy demand. and if adopted in conjunction can lead to significant reductions in energy use of up to 70-80%. These levels of savings can be seen in contemporary research undertaken by BRE, the DTI and CIBSE and underlines the importance that this group attaches to energy efficiency and reduction. When these measures have been applied through a computer modelling simulation of the Riverside Community by this group, the same large falls in energy use were recorded, once again emphasising our thesis that communities should concentrate initially in this area rather than looking first to renewable energy supply.