Solarsavers

Energy Efficiency Week highlights the need to consider alternatives to the existing methods of energy supply and what we can do to conserve it.

The Council is obliged to work towards reducing the amount of CO2 emissions in its area in order to counter the effects of global pollution.

One of the ways of doing this is to reduce the amount of fossil fuel being used (gas, coal, oil) and improve insulation measures (loft and cavity wall) help to achieve this.

Another way is to obtain energy from renewable sources. The most famous of these is wind power with wind turbines becoming familiar sights around the country.
A more immediate type of renewable energy for households is solar thermal, which uses the sun to heat water which can save your hot water costs. Typically solar thermal can provide up to 60% of your annual hot water needs and 90% of your hot water needs in the summer.

The Council has joined other local Councils in the Solar Savers scheme. This is managed by Thames Valley Energy Centre and enables South Bucks residents to obtain advice and help about installing solar thermal systems. Homeowners can obtain grants of £400 from the government’s Clear-Skies initiative to help them install solar water heating.

You can contact Solarsavers for free advice on 0800 1070044 or visit their website:
www.solarsavers.co.uk (Opens new window to external site)

You can visit Thames Valley Energy Centre at www.tvec.org.uk(Opens new window to external site)

Other sites to visit if you would like further information on energy matters are:

www.saveenergy.co.uk (Opens new window to external site) you can find out how much money your home is wasting, and discover a wealth of information designed to help your home mend its criminal ways.

www.carbontrust.co.uk(Opens new window to external site) The Carbon Trust helps business and the public sector cut carbon emissions and capture the commercial potential of low carbon technologies.

www.solartradeassociation.org.uk (Opens new window to external site) this serves as a focal point for organisations with business interests in the Solar Energy industry.

www.tvenergy.org (Opens new window to external site) TV Energy has been established in the Thames Valley, with the mission: “To promote, educate and deliver practical sustainable energy solutions to business, organisations, communities and individuals within the Thames Valley and beyond.” TV Energy operates in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, northern Hampshire and Surrey

The National Energy Foundation was set up in 1990 to help UK citizens address these through practical advice and help in installing energy saving measures and implementing appropriate renewable energy sources.