Eco Projects Act On CO2 – All You Need To Know

Date Published:

29/05/2008

What other steps are being taken?

A range of energy-efficiency measures is being introduced by the Government. These include the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), under which energy suppliers will be obligated to cut emissions and improve energy efficiency, saving 4.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year by 2011.

From April 2008, these suppliers are required to double the energy saving measures - such as cavity wall insulation - that they install in people's homes.

There will also be increased support for renewable energy with CERT incentives for energy companies installing solar panels and wind turbines, and an estimated 150,000 homes could be generating their own renewable energy by 2011.

Facts And Figures

* If everyone in the UK topped up their loft insulation to 270mm, £380m would be saved on bills each year.
* In a typical home, 20 per cent of all heat loss is through poor ventilation and draughts.
* If all UK householders adopted a few simple draught-proofing measures, such as fitting brushes to letterboxes, we'd save around £130m per year.
* If everyone in the UK fitted a hot water cylinder jacket, enough carbon dioxide would be saved each year to fill over 4.2 million double decker buses.
* If all homes needing double glazing had it fitted, we'd save the equivalent of CO2 emissions from 800,000 households.

Costs and Savings

Solar water heating system
Cost £3,200 - £4,500.
Annual savings Reduces CO2 emissions by 350kg and heating bills by around £40 a year.

Cavity wall insulation
Cost Around £500.
Annual savings 750kg in CO2 emissions and £90 a year off bills.

Loft insulation
Cost From £180.
Annual savings Up to one tonne of CO2 emissions and £110 a year slashed off bills.

Draught-proofing doors and windows
Cost From £90.
Annual savings 155kg of CO2 emissions and £20 a year reduction in bills.

Useful Links

Energy Saving Trust (or call 0800 512012)
Warm Front Grants
Act On CO2 Website