Did you know…
- Lighting an average office overnight wastes enough energy to heat water for 1000 cups of tea
- Only 5% of the power drawn by a phone charger is used to charge the phone – so remember to turn it off when you are done!
- A 2°c increase in office temperature creates enough CO2 in a year to fill a hot air balloon
The Green Changes you can sign up to
- Green Change 1 – cut out energy wastage (e.g. turn off lights, appliances, chargers and close windows)
- Green Change 2 – use green energy
- Green Change 3 – improve the energy efficiency of community buildings (such as lighting, heating and water)
Who’s already making the change?
- Bro Cernyw Community Council installed solar panels on to their public toilets in Llangernyw to heat the water & power the light and dryers
- Several communities in North Wales are investing in hydroelectricity schemes – find out how Ynni Anafon Energy in Abergwyngregyn, Corwen Electricity Co-operative and Partneriaeth Ogwen in Bethesda made the change
- National Trust have been using wool insulation in some of their buildings for several years
Ideas to help you on your way
- Switch to LED light bulbs, this could reduce your carbon footprint and save £450 a year
- Upgrade your windows – this can reduce the amount of energy lost by 75%
- Invest in insulation – this can save up to 80% in heating and cooling losses
- Replace old appliances to energy efficient appliances – this can help reduce your energy bills in the long term
Advice and Guidance
Here are some useful hints and tips to improve energy efficiency and explore energy generation ideas…
- Nest – energy saving top tips
- Energy Saving Trust – information on generating renewable energy
- National Energy Action – checklist to assist communities in making decisions to reduce fuel costs & improve the environmental performance of community buildings and facilities
- Centre for Sustainable Energy – has lots of resources for improving community buildings and developing community-wide energy saving projects
Funding and Support
Here are some potential funding sources & information where you can access specialist support. But remember there will be more funding sources out there…
- Welsh Government Community Facility Programme – a capital grant scheme for improvements to community facilities
- Sustainable Communities Wales – offers free support and advice to communities across Wales to help improve the energy efficiency of the buildings they run
- Community & Voluntary Support Conwy and Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council provide advice and support on funding opportunities
- Lottery Community Fund – Provides information on community grants available in Wales
- Funding Cymru – Funding portal helping charities, community groups & social organisations find funding opportunities in their local area
- North Wales Energy Advice Centre – a social enterprise that provides impartial advice on any energy related issues and available grants
