Eco News

Almost HALF of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from

energy we use everyday - At home and when we travel

10 easy actions the residents of Ramsden can take to directly reduce their impact on climate change

Install energy-saving lightbulbs - They use only a fifth of the energy used by incandescent bulbs
Turn down your heating thermostat by 1 deg C - This saves 10% of energy used for heating your home
Turn off appliances when you’ve finished
Use your washing machine at 30 deg C - Modern detergents still work at this temperature - and dry your clothes naturally
Insulate your home and close curtains when your heating is on and it’s dark!
When using an electric kettle, only boil the amount of water you need
Opt for a shower rather than a bath, and if it’s a power-shower, don’t leave it running all the time
When buying electrical appliances, try to buy ‘A’ energy-rated ones
Switch-off the chargers for mobile phones, MP3 players and digital cameras when they’re not being used
Keep checking the Ramsden Village Website for updates and information on what the residents of Ramsden can do

By saving energy, we can ALL help prevent climate change. Ramsden Parish Council encourage residents to save energy.

If you need further help, or have any questions, please contact Sarah Wiggins at savingenergy@ramsdenvillage.co.uk

USEFUL INFORMATION

One easy way to reduce the amount of energy you use is to replace traditional incandescent lightbulbs with energy-saving ones. Until recently, you could only buy replacements for the standard bayonet cap (BC) type light bulbs. But in response to demand, manufacturers now produce a vast range of different types, catering for most types of fittings, including Edison Screw (ES) and the smaller versions, commonly used in table lights and specialist light fittings. Witney electrical shop Lomax and Staines carry a good range in stock, including dimmable, candle and LED lamps and can get other types to order. They may cost a few pounds to buy, but as they use far less energy and last much longer than ordinary bulbs, they should easily repay the investment in the longer term.

Websites for lighting

www.ebulbshop.com

www.ryness.co.uk

www.megamanuk.com

www.fozzlighting.co.uk

Here are a couple of good contacts for more energy-saving products :

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk (Tel. 0800 512 012)

www.maplin.co.uk - Power & energy monitors, dusk-to-dawn sensor bulbs & energy-saving light & power controllers

Grants are available for residents of Ramsden for installing :

Solar water heating - www.solarsavers.co.uk - Tel 0800 107 0044

Loft insulation & cavity wall insulation - www.energysavingtrust.org.uk - Tel 0800 512 012

For reduced-price condensing & condensing-combi boilers, contact Magic Boilers - Tel. 01298 766883

Other useful websites worth visiting

www.climatex.org - Info’ on what you can do locally

www.greenpeace.org.uk - Up-to-date information on campaigns and actions

www.climatechangetracker.com - Co-operative Bank site. See climate change impact in our area

www.n-e-renewables.org.uk - Provides many useful links on renewable energy types, availability, pro’s & con’s etc.

www.rayotec.com - Solar heating and power company - Have installed solar panels to one house in Ramsden

www.greenstat.co.uk - Green stationery, packaging etc.

www.betterplanet.co.uk - Grey water/rainwater harvesting, forthcoming exhibitions & details of government grants

www.carbontrust.co.uk - Practical solutions to help businesses & the public sector cut carbon emissions

www.foe.co.uk - Friends of the Earth - Up-to-date info’ on campaigns & actions that you can take to make a difference

www.wwf.org.uk - More info’ on the effects of climate change and lots of advice

www.whatyoucando.co.uk - Many links and lots of info’

www.oxfordismyworld.org - Oxford City Council & Midcounties Co-Op project - Ideas to benefit local & global environments

www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk - On-line & mail-order store for green building products (trade & professional)

www.aecb.net/findmembers.php - Lists members, based in Oxfordshire, of the Sustainable Building Association

New websites for ‘Greener Living’

www.insulation.kingspan.com

www.naturalwatt.com

www.jagahomeheating.co.uk

Telephone the Thames Valley Energy Efficiency Centre for help and advice : 01993 709688

This page will develop as time goes on. If you’ve found a useful contact, and want to tell others about it, send details to :

webmaster@ramsdenvillage.co.uk

Click here to go back to Ramsden Parish Council homepage

Cutting Carbon Emissions