The 10:10 Challenge – Save on electricity – be bright!

by Joc Sanders, Nenagh Carbon Watchers

Retailers must by EU law display an

energy efficiency rating on new appliances

- use it!

‘The old tumbler dryer finally died’, said my friend, ‘the wife insists the new one must have an A energy rating. But it’s so much more expensive than a C.’ ‘Listen to the wife,’ I told him, ‘it’s always a good policy. But in this case she’s spot on. ‘Which?’ tests show that a C-rated dryer costs 70c per load for electricity but an A-rated one only 28c. At 5 loads a week the A-rated dryer saves more than €100 a year - you’ll be quids in!’

Saving electricity at home cuts CO2 emissions at the power station, reducing global warming and saving money on the bills. You would be pretty dim not to follow these 3 steps:

Step 1: Switch off and unplug
When you leave a light on that’s not needed, or leave an appliance on standby, you are wasting electricity. Stopping the waste is the first step to saving. So turn off the lights when you leave a room. Turn off appliances, TVs, computers and phone chargers rather than leaving them on standby, unless you have a recent model with a special energy-saving mode.

Step 2: Use appliances and lights more efficiently
Don’t boil more water than you need – it will save electricity and be a lot quicker. A dishwasher or washing machine uses the same amount of electricity regardless of the amount of clothes or dishes in it - so wait until you have a full load before starting it. Dryers use a lot of power – so if the weather is fine consider hanging the clothes out on a line as our grandmothers used to – the sun and the breeze are free! If you use external lights at night fit them with motion detectors, so that they only come on when they are needed.

Step 3: Buy efficient appliances and lights
The traditional tungsten filament light bulb is so inefficient that their sale has now been banned. But it makes sense to change out your old bulbs before they fail, since the lifetime cost of the new efficient CFL bulb is 20% of the old one.

The biggest users of electricity around the home are the tumbler dryer (up to €1 per cycle), the refrigerator (30c per day), the washing machine (48c per cycle), the dishwasher (30c per cycle) and the plasma TV (56c per day). But there is a big variation in the amount of electricity different models use. Retailers are now obliged by EU law to display energy efficiency labels (see the picture) on the products they sell, rating them from A to G, with A the most efficient. Always check the rating before you buy a new appliance. Aim for the highest rating possible to save emissions - frequently any extra cost will be more than outweighed by savings in your electricity bills.

Renewable Electricity
It is now possible to get domestic scale wind turbines to make your own electricity when the wind is blowing, and you can also sell any surplus to the ESB. But the capital investment is large, and unless you live in a particularly exposed windy place your savings are unlikely to repay the investment.

However one thing any of us can do is to make the switch to an electricity supplier that consistently supplies a high proportion of renewable electricity. All suppliers make claims for their commitment to increase the renewable electricity they supply: Airtricity won the Green Energy Award this year for supplying the most; Bord Gais say they will increase renewable electricity to 30% by 2012; and ESB plan to increase theirs to one third by 2020. The latest figures certified by the Energy Regulator are for 2008, when Airtricity supplied 69% renewable electricity, ESB 12% and Bord Gais 8%. In order to encourage the move to renewable electricity, I have made the change to Airtricity. But I will continue to monitor the certified figures and change again if the figures suggest I should.

For more information and to take the 10:10 pledge see www.1010.ie or contact Nenagh Carbon Watchers (email nenaghcarbonwatchers@gmail.com).

The 10:10 Challenge - Cut car emissions, save money and be healthier

by Joc Sanders, Nenagh Carbon Watchers

‘I’m in shock’, said my friend. ‘It just cost me €55 to fill up the car – that’s more than a quarter of the weekly pension. What with this new carbon tax I can’t afford to go anywhere – but what can I do?’ ‘You can’t blame the carbon tax’, say I, ‘because at 4.2c per litre of petrol that’s less than 4% of what you pay. But you do need to find ways to drive less or increase your miles per litre.’

We all know by now that we must find ways to cut our personal carbon emissions to halt global warming – I’m on track to save 10% in 2010 – how are you doing? Since family cars account for around a third of household carbon emissions in Ireland, we need to cut down on the fuel we put in our cars, either by driving less or driving with fewer emissions. Let’s not kid ourselves this will be easy. Over the last 50 years of cheap, plentiful oil our whole way of life has become dependent on using cars more and more – it will take time for this to change. But there are many things we can all do to make savings right now.

First, think before you jump in the car. For a short journey less than a couple of miles consider walking or cycling – you’ll be healthier too! Join with other parents to set up a ‘walking bus’ to walk your younger children safely between home and school rather than driving them – the exercise will be good for them. Plan to combine errands into a single trip. Take off the roof-rack if you’re not using it, and take unnecessary stuff out of the boot – both increase fuel consumption.

Second, follow ecodriving guidelines - they can save 5-10% of fuel and emissions, and reduce accidents too:

• Easy does it – Drive smoothly, accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.
• Change up earlier – Try changing up at an engine speed of around 2000 rpm in a diesel car or around 2500 rpm in a petrol car. This can make such a difference that all cars will likely be fitted in future with Gear Shift indicators on the dashboard to indicate the most efficient gear change points.
• Turn it off – Any electrical load increases fuel consumption, so turn off your heated rear windscreen, demister blowers and headlights, when you don't need them.
• Stick to the limits – Drive at or within the speed limit – the faster you go the greater the fuel consumption and the greater the emissions too. Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more than at 50mph. Cruising at 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph.

Third, look for public transport alternatives for regular trips, like commuting to work. And if there are none, consider sharing a ride to work with a colleague or two – the time will pass much faster!

But there is no reason to stop there.

When you next change your car, make sure you choose a car in the best emissions rating bands (A under 120 CO2g/km, or B120-140 CO2g/km). Not only will you save on fuel and emissions, but you will help your pocket with big savings on VRT and Road Tax.

Looking further ahead consider an electric car. From 2011 mainstream manufacturers Renault, Peugeot and Mitsubishi will start supplying electric cars. The initial cost will be higher than for petrol or diesel, due to the high cost of batteries, but the fuel costs will be much lower – perhaps one sixth. Emissions will also be lower, even if the electricity comes from fossil fuels, but lower still for green renewable electricity. Electric cars will be charged on cheap night rate electricity at home, giving a range of 60-120km, for around €2.50. The ESB plans to install 1,500 public ‘juice points’ for recharging in towns and cities right across the country between now and 2012. Living in a rural area, and occasionally needing to drive longer distances, I would prefer an electric car with an auxiliary petrol or diesel engine to extend the range – so I’m interested to see that the Opel Ampera, scheduled for launch in 2011, will have a battery range of 60km and an extended range of 500km.

I’m getting quite excited already – I reckon it’s time to lobby the Council for juice points in all towns and villages!

For more information and to take the 10:10 pledge see www.1010.ie or contact Nenagh Carbon Watchers (nenaghcarbonwatchers@gmail.com, or phone Joc on 087 699 6775).

The 10:10 Challenge – Be warm & cosy, and save too!

by Joc Sanders, Nenagh Carbon Watchers

‘By gum’, said my friend, ‘I’m glad the cold snap is over. The house was so cold the wife threatened to go back to her Mam, so I turned up the thermostat. The central heating gulped the oil and I had to order an extra fill. But at least the water tank in the attic didn’t freeze.’

We all want to be warm and cosy at home. But we also know we need to cut down carbon emissions to halt global warming. Increasing numbers of us are taking the 10:10 pledge, to cut 10% of emissions in 2010, as a first step. To succeed we need to reduce the amount of fossil fuel we use to heat our houses and water, because for the average family this accounts for around a third of carbon emissions.

So must we freeze and shiver? Not at all! By making a few simple changes at modest cost most of us can easily reduce our heating emissions by 10%, while staying warm and cosy - and cutting our bills too! Sounds like win-win all round, doesn’t it?

• Try turning your thermostat down a notch and put on another pullover if you feel cold – many homes are warmer than the 18-20 oC recommended for comfort and health. 1oC less will likely save 10% on annual space heating!


• Shut doors and turn off radiators in rooms you don’t use. Set your boiler timer to turn on only when you need it.


• Have your boiler serviced annually. This could improve its efficiency by up to10%, more than paying for itself and saving emissions.


• Lag exposed heating pipes and the hot water cylinder, if not already done.


• Attack draughts! Check doors, windows and letter boxes and fix suitable seals. Seal unused chimneys or consider getting a baffle fitted. This may be a DIY job, but for a draughty, exposed house employing a contractor can pay for itself in months rather than years, while improving comfort and cutting emissions.


• Monitor annual heating bills to confirm the savings you make.

But why stop at 10%? If your house was built before 2008 you can get no better return on your money than by upgrading your insulation and heating to current standards. As you save emissions, you will be warmer and cosier, reduced bills will pay for the work within a few years - and a tradesman neighbour will have work during hard times. What’s more, you can get grants to do it!

SEI gives grants throughout the State under the Home Energy Saving (HES) scheme to improve roof and wall insulation, to install high efficiency boilers and to upgrade heating controls, potentially reducing both emissions and bills by up to 40%, depending upon the starting energy rating of your home. To find out more phone lo-call 1850 927 000, email hes@sei.ie, or visit the Power of One website www.sei.ie/Power_of_One, which also gives a wealth of tips on how to reduce emissions and bills.

If you live in Nenagh and some surrounding areas, you can get EU grants on top of the HES scheme. The SERVE project, managed by the County Council and Tipperary Energy Agency, gives grants for renewable energy systems like wood-burning stoves and solar panels with improved insulation, boilers and heating controls. Over 100 homeowners so far have combined HES and SERVE, typically receiving grants for 60% of the investment to save 40% of their emissions and bills To find out more contact the County Council on 067 44671 or visit the SERVE website http://www.servecommunity.ie/.

It’s a good idea to get a Building Energy Rating (BER) assessment before getting major work done. As well as giving you a rating, the assessor will advise you on what improvements are worth while, likely costs, and what grants you can get. This is required for SERVE and is grant aided by both HES and SERVE.

For more information and to take the 10:10 pledge see www.1010.ie or contact Nenagh Carbon Watchers (nenaghcarbonwatchers@gmail.com, or phone Joc on 087 699 6775).

The 10:10 Challenge – Cut 10% in 2010

‘Global warming, my eye! I’ve just been for a walk on the frozen Shannon’, said my friend. But while we freeze here, temperatures in the Arctic are up to 7 degC higher than normal this winter, say scientists. Local weather is naturally variable, but climate is about long timescales and the planet as a whole. Don’t be misled; global warming is continuing and real.

World leaders failed to agree in Copenhagen last December what to do about it. Let’s hope and pray they do agree effective and just action soon, before it is too late. But their failure to agree now shows it’s time for ordinary people to step in to defend our children’s futures. We now know for certain that unless we act quickly to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, they will face terrible problems in years to come.

The first step is to take personal responsibility – if we don’t, no one else will. Just suppose each one of us made a pledge to cut 10% of our greenhouse gas emissions in 2010? What if we got everyone we know to do the same? And what if all this made governments sit up and take notice? That could be the first step towards a brighter future for us all.

Cutting 10% in one year is a bold target, but for most of us it’s achievable – and saves us money too! Here are some ideas for what you and your family can do. Future monthly articles will look at each in more detail.

1 Save 10% on heating – and bills
Turn down your thermostat, turn off radiators in hallways, more jumpers and warm underwear all round. Fix those draughts. Then apply for a grant to insulate your loft and walls. You’ll be warm & cosy!

2 Drive less – be healthier
Think before you make that short drive. Walk, cycle or take public transport when you can. Leave your car at home one day a week. Join a car-club rather than owning your own, or share a ride to work with a colleague or two. You’ll feel healthier too!

3 Save 10% on electricity
Save big cash by changing light bulbs, replacing old fridges and freezers and always turning stuff off. Be intelligent – be bright!

4 Fly less, holiday more
Swap plane for boat and train, holiday nearer to home and take fewer but longer trips – same tanning time, dramatically less carbon emissions!

5 Eat better
In-season fruit & veg produce the least emissions – and the less processed the better. Buy locally produced food when you can, to support your neighbour and save food miles. Grow your own – nothing tastes like it!

6 Buy good stuff
Less stuff made = less emissions = less climate change. So buy high-quality things that last, repair if possible rather than chucking, buy and sell second hand. And borrow your neighbour’s mower!

7 Dump less
Avoid excess packaging and buying pointless stuff that goes straight in the bin, recycle everything possible. Compost your scraps – the garden will love you!

8 Don’t waste food…
The average Irish family throws away loads of food every month. So don’t buy or cook more than you need. And eat up those tasty leftovers with a smile on your face!

9 …or water
Your tap water uses lots of energy – and heating it uses loads more – so take showers rather than baths, and only run full dishwashers & washing machines. Harvest rainwater in a butt to water garden plants – they prefer it!

10 Pass on the word
Tell family and friends you plan to save 10% in 2010 – persuade them to join you. Suggest your employer might too. Sign up for the 10:10 pledge – governments will act if they see voters mean business!

For more information and to take the 10:10 pledge see www.1010.ie or contact Nenagh Carbon Watchers (nenaghcarbonwatchers@gmail.com, or phone Joc on 087 699 6775).