Energy Efficiency
It is clear that to generate enough energy to meet current energy demand will require an investment over many years. Reducing our energy demand by investing in energy efficiency is an essential prerequisite to introducing renewable energy and will have a double benefit1:
- A once off investment in energy efficiency will continue to save money indefinitely
- This will reduce the capital investment needed for renewable energy infrastructure
Energy efficiency covers a very wide range of measures from fitting a condensing boiler to switching off a light. It is estimated that 10% of all energy could be saved by simply changing our behaviour and switching off unwanted appliances. Space heating is by far the biggest use of domestic energy and this is where the best possibilities of energy efficiency occur.
The DARE report assessed that 58% of energy can be saved through simple measures applying energy efficiency, the main one being good insulation (see T&D Energy Budget section)
Funding Local Energy Security
Energy Action Devon (EAD) is a not for profit, charitable business working with the public, private, and voluntary sectors to deliver energy efficiency and awareness through action in Devon. It also raises awareness of the many local and national grants and schemes, offering free or discounted cavity wall and loft insulation, heating and renewable energy systems. The Charity is part of a consortia which manage the South West Energy Saving Trust’s advice centres, providing free and impartial home energy efficiency and transport advice via the Trust’s free helpline for advice (0800 512 012) and a home energy check.
We need to guard against the Rebound effect!
The Rebound effect happens where increased energy efficiency due to better insulation in the home brings fuel costs down, so people turn up the thermometer. “Domestic temperatures are estimated to have increased from 16 degrees in 1990 to 19 degrees in 2002.” 2 Ideally this idea (also known as Jevrons Paradox) should not apply in the post-peak oil world.
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