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BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH BY SWITCHING OFF AT NIGHT
Energy Saving Week Survey Reveals Shocking Cost Of Energy Wastage
People in Northern Ireland are wasting £5 million a year by leaving gadgets and lights on, even when they're sleeping, according to new research published to coincide with Energy Saving Week (20-26 October). This produces 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
A survey of 6,000 adults across five European countries has found that Northern Ireland individuals' worst nocturnal habit is leaving the TV on, or on standby, with over half doing this (54 per cent). People here are the worst in Europe for leaving a light on when they go to bed (25 per cent) with only seven per cent of French and Spanish doing the same.
On the other hand, people here are far less likely than our European neighbours to leave the heating on overnight (14 per cent), against Germany (26 per cent), France (29 per cent) and Sweden (33 per cent).
Noel Williams, Head of the Energy Saving Trust in Northern Ireland, said: "It's hard to believe that in the current economic climate we're throwing away this kind of cash when we sleep, but the good news is that we can easily do something about it. By turning off our TVs at night, we could collectively save £950,000 a year and as much carbon dioxide as it takes to drive 10 million miles in the average car.
"By taking a few simple steps before we go to bed, we could save a considerable amount of energy and money."
The survey also revealed that around a third (29 per cent) of people in NI say that their job is the main thing that stops them having the time to be green, with over half (54 per cent) of NI employees saying they would be more motivated if their employer offered some kind of a green benefit to encourage them to live a greener lifestyle, such as loans or free energy doctor visits to employees.
Noel Williams added: "With the economy in turmoil and householders under more pressure than ever, with their time and finances, it is more important that employers do what they can to support their employees.
"By helping equip them to live a greener lifestyle, not only can employees feel a greater sense of motivation but they can help to beat the credit crunch at the same time. By being more energy efficient in the home, the average householder could save £340 a year. Calling the Energy Saving Trust advice centre free on 0800 512 012 is a great first step."
"There is no better time to save energy than right now. It is clear, not only from our research, but also from the tens of thousands of calls that come into our NI Energy Saving Trust advice centre every year, that there is growing concern about the long-term effects of our energy use on the environment."
Selected Northern Ireland statistics:
- 98 per cent of people living in Northern Ireland would be encouraged to go green if community initiatives such as grants were provided to help implement energy saving measures in the home.
- 62 per cent of people living in Northern Ireland are willing to reuse leftover food in a bid to save money, compared to an average of 55 per cent across Europe.
- Around three quarters of people living in Northern Ireland would be encouraged to live a greener lifestyle if the Government offered green tax credits while nearly seven in ten felt that subsidising energy-efficient products would make them more likely to cut their CO2 emissions.
- Nearly a quarter of residents in Northern Ireland are in favour of a green bank holiday for people to take specific steps to be green.
- 98 per cent of people living in Northern Ireland would be encouraged to go green if community initiatives such as grants were provided to help implement energy saving measures in the home.
- 54 per cent of people living in Northern Ireland still leave the TV on standby before they go to bed- this collectively wastes around £950,000 a year and generates as much carbon dioxide as driving 10 million miles in the average UK car.
Northern Ireland Savings:
- If every house in Northern Ireland fitted draught-proofing around their windows and doors, it would save a total of £6.9 million on heating fuel bills and nearly 33,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide- saving as much carbon dioxide as would be emitted by driving a car from Derry/ Londonderry to Kilkeel and back again over 470,000 times!
- If every house in Northern Ireland replaced their remaining inefficient incandescent lightbulbs to energy saving lightbulbs it would save a total of £6.8 million on energy bills and over 65,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide- saving enough electricity to power 77,000 homes.
- If every house in Northern Ireland turned their appliances off standby when not in use it would save a total of £5 million on energy bills and 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide- this is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted by 5,800 households.
- If every house in Northern Ireland washed their clothes at 30 degrees rather than higher temperatures it would save a total of £1.2 million on energy bills and 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide- and save as much electricity as Coolkeeragh power station generates in just over a week.
- If all houses in Northern Ireland that could turned down their thermostats by 1 degree it would save a total of nearly £44 on heating fuel bills and around 196,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide- saving enough carbon dioxide to fill Belfast Odyssey Arena more than 1,200 times.
- A typical oil heated 3-bed semi-detached home could save £140 and 640 kg CO2 per year by replacing their old inefficient oil boiler with a new A-rated condensing boiler.
- A typical 3-bed semi-detached home could save up to £47 in running costs and 140kg CO2 per year by replacing their old inefficient kitchen appliances with new Energy Saving Recommended models.
About The Energy Saving Trust
The Energy Saving Trust is the leading organisation set up to address the damaging effects of climate change. It aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions - the main greenhouse gas causing climate change - by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy. For more information on the Energy Saving Trust you can visit their website at- http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Northern-Ireland-advice-centre
