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.
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 comsumption 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;
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 Riversdide area and are common
thoughout 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 soid 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
uninsulated.
-
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 chimmney 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 verious information sources which can help
with the particular type of building that requires insulaion
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 valving or interlock
on the system
- Hot water is provided throught 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
instal 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 purcahse 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 applicance from a Grade C to
Grade A can be between 27% for a dishwasher and 56%
for fridge freezer and are therfore 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 freee light filaments so it is worth while
contacting your local electrcity supplier for offers.

Behaviour change amongst occupants
of a building will significantly lower energy demand.
Reserach by the Energy Savngs 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 fo CO2
reduction we encourage energy awareness meeetings of
residents to share knowledge and encourage others t
make these simple but effective changes. Here are some
useful tips.
-
Maximise daylighting 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 electrcity meter which gives minute
by minute consumption rates. Reserach 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

Various contemporay 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
resarch 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 agan
emphasising our thesis that communities should concentrate
initially in this area rather than looking first to
renewable energy supply.

|