Saving energy

Better insulated homes, more efficient lights and appliances, improved heating systems with more effective controls will not only reduce carbon emissions, but will also help cut fuel bills and pay for themselves in a relatively short timescale. And changing the way people habitually use energy at home and at work – from leaving on lights to making poor use of their heating controls – can have important impacts.

Renewable energy technologies may seem an appealing and smart way of generating energy more sustainably, but in reality systems always offer better value for money if the energy saving basics have already been addressed first.

This is why CSE is committed to delivering local energy efficiency schemes such as our Warm Streets grant programme, making it easier for householders to understand what improvements they should make and helping them through the process of insulating and improving their homes.

We recognise in our energy advice projects the potential for changing the energy-using behaviours of households through better feedback and advice. And we have helped initiate networks of ‘energy champions’ in organisations and communities to act as the leaders of change in behaviour to cut energy demand.
 

Our technical consulting team works with clients from all sectors to identify what savings can be made from energy efficiency and conservation measures prior to undertaking any detailed feasibility work on renewable energy options.

We also continue to build the evidence base and case to policy makers to expand the scale and scope of national energy efficiency programmes. This may be by highlighting the scale and costs associated with the challenge, by undertaking independent evaluation of existing schemes or by providing direct advice to Government in the development of new schemes.