Simple changes can save money and energy, householders told (From Bucks Free Press)

Simple changes can save money and energy, householders told

7:54pm Saturday 21st March 2009 in

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HOUSEHOLDERS and businessman were told that “simple changes” in their everyday use of energy could have a big impact on the environment - and save them money.

A technology showcase, co-run today by Transition Town High Wycombe, aimed to show home owners how they can save cash on their energy bills.

A number of companies, including a biofuel refinery, and a firm which installs smoke free wood burning stoves, exhibited their technologies at the Reggie Goves Centre, Pauls Row, High Wycombe.

Among them was a Reading based company selling photovoltaic solar panels - which provide electricity by hooking directly into a household fuse box.

Dale Hoyland from the Energy Saving Trust, which organised the event, said it was about making people aware of the simple household changes that could save them money and help the environment.

Mr Hoyland said: “It’s about being able to save money in this economic climate and to go one step further by using renewables.

“We mainly concentrate on behavioural changes where there’s no cost such as just turning down the thermostat by one degree. “There are so many simple things people can do to save money.”

Lesley Stoner, planning and sustainability officer for Wycombe District Council, said councillors hope extend its policy for renewable energy sources making up 10 per cent of the total household power generation to all new builds.

Currently, the rule applies to commercial developments of over 1,000 Sq/m and for every housing construction of ten or more dwellings.

“As a council we are very keen to extend renewable technologies. We would very much like to extend our policy of 10 per cent to all new builds and it’s certainly achievable,” she said.

“We are very concerned about people’s fuel bills that they will be more in future than they can manage and also we are concerned about climate change and overall greenhouse emissions in Wycombe District.”

Mark Brown, chairman of Transition Town High Wycombe, a voluntary grass-roots organisation, which ran one of the stands on display, said the 10 per cent policy of renewable energy was a “good start” and the technology showcase was important in highlighting to householders how they can make a difference.

“It’s about telling the people of High Wycombe how they can change their homes for the better and educate them as to what’s coming - which is a future with less energy and a low energy world,” he said.

“It’s about the community taking the lead and not expecting the government to make the difference.

Mr Brown added: “You can’t change the wolrd in a day but youy can change it a little bit every day.”

The energy campaigner said although it is too late to prevent global warming “we can still make sure it’s not a lot worse, and that starts at home.”