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).