1. Community Action on Climate Change Pathfinder induction – March 2011 Reducing residential carbon emissions Catrin Maby

2. CO 2 emissions from homes in Wales

3. The basic ingredients Build low carbon new homes Retrofit improvements to existing homes: Thermal insulation More efficient heating and hot water appliances Improved controls Renewable heat sources Micro-generation Purchase more/most efficient lights and appliances Use less/use more efficiently

4. Perspective on retrofit Space and water heating account for approx 66% of home emissions Regulations for new homes controlled by Building Regs, which are periodically tightened as regards energy - new homes to be zero carbon by 2016 (aspiration to achieve by 2011 in Wales) But 80% of homes that will be there in 2050 have already been built * ……….so focus needed on existing homes * Home Truths, Environmental Change Institute, 2007

5. Retrofit improvements Singular measures – can be done in isolation from other works: Loft insulation Cavity wall insulation Replacement boiler Upgrade heating and h/w controls (time and temp) Low energy lighting Solar hot water Heat pump Biomass boiler/stove Microgen: photovoltaic, wind, small hydro Secondary glazing (and some double glazing) Draughtproofing windows and doors

6. Retrofit improvements Opportunity measures – include in renovations: Solid wall insulation Under-floor insulation Flat roof insulation Sloping ceiling, dormer and bay insulation Replacing windows with high efficiency ones

7. Exercise: individual reflection Retrofit improvements: exploring the motivations and barriers Write down 3 retrofit measures you have carried out on your own home, and why you chose to do these? Write down 3 retrofit measures you could apply to your own home, but have not yet done so, and why not?

8. Retrofit of existing homes - issues Home-owners often enthusiastic about sustainability but put off by costs/difficulties finding installer Sustainable energy measures still tend to be sold as single technologies by specialist companies General building market characterised by small companies, competing on price and avoiding taking risk on new technologies Builders merchants and DIY sheds tend to have limited range of sustainable energy materials

9. Retrofit of existing homes - issues O/O homes change hands on average every 7-9 years Many of the significant measures have much longer paybacks than this at current energy and installed prices Fuel supplier programmes focus on quick payback measures to date Energy Performance Certificates favour same measures in ‘cost- effective measures’ recommendations Govt /Energy Saving Trust advice & campaigns now promoting wider range of measures

10. Key national programmes Fuel suppliers – CERT (to become ECO in 2012): carbon saving targets for homes, design own programmes within rules set by Ofgem, current focus on cavity and loft insulation Energy Performance Certificates obligatory when home sold or rented (EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) Wales New Fuel Poverty Scheme – April 2011: raising F/G rated homes to C for most vulnerable Green Deal – 2012: framework for accreditation of advice and installers, plus system of finance for retrofit Smart meter roll out – 2012: potential for varying tariff structures, and effect on user behaviour Feed in tariffs / Renewable Heat Incentive: market transformation

11. Purchasing behaviour – some key areas Seeing low carbon as an attractive feature (doing better not doing without) Including carbon/energy efficiency as key element of choice of new appliance/lights Retailers attitude/info provided Retailer and consumer understanding of energy labels/info Availability/where to find better appliances Access to range of efficient lighting to suit different needs

12. User behaviour – some key areas Setting of heating thermostats (wall and radiator) Setting of hot water thermostat Timing heat and hot water to needs of household Showers instead of baths/shorter showers Hot wash in evening in summer, if solar thermal hot water Turning off unused lights, tvs, pcs, and stand-bys Minimising use of tumble dryer Washing on lower temps where possible Waiting for full loads to wash

13. User behaviour – some key areas Transfer of usage to sunny daytime if have PV Boiling only what’s needed in kettle Keeping fridge condenser clear/clean/with air flow Keeping fridge and cooker seals clean/functioning Keeping freezer clear of ice Wait for food to cool before refrigerating Not standing with fridge door open reviewing contents….. Microwave instead of oven for reheating

14. Exercise – round table User behaviour: exploring the motivations and barriers Think of one energy inefficient behaviour in your own or a friend’s household, and what you think are the barriers As we go round we will give the rest of the group the chance to suggest solutions to these barriers

15. Supporting user behaviour change – basics Feedback on consumption Target setting for savings Advice and info –specific, relevant, practical Peer group motivation Sense of agency (individual and collective) Identifying, unfreezing and re-freezing habits: Focus in on specific behaviour Observe and identify indivisible behaviours and barriers Develop and trial solutions Note: training in Community Based Social Marketing later in month……

16. Independent energy advice service Run by and for local people Free winter HES home energy survey 50 volunteers plus some paid staff and trustees Winners of Big Green Challenge 2010 Marches area: Newtown, Knighton, Presteigne, Clun, Bishops Castle, Montgomery Link up with local groups in each area, such as: Transition Presteigne Montgomery Energy Group Newtown Action on Climate Change Example: Household Energy Services

17. Example: Target 2050 Homes, Stroud Supply and demand support Led by local authority/independent energy agency partnership Target of 60-80% carbon reduction in existing homes Home survey, action plans and follow up advice Local retrofit installer network – capacity building Pilot for Pay As You Save loans 23 exemplars representative of main housing types Open Homes weekend (led by Transition group) Low Carbon Homes Show

18. Energy saving clubs at neighbourhood level Monitored electricity and gas consumption individually and group Set savings targets and competed to save most over set time Each group led and supported by ‘Energy Master’ Awards and celebrations of achievement: groups and individuals Trialled in 9 EU countries 2008-10, new programme 2011-13 Example: Energy Neighbourhood

21. Community Interest Company Mission to create carbon neutral, financially secure and sustainable communities Expert support at low cost, to individuals or community groups Micro-hydro, specialism: 10 installations to date, 2-36kW Also offer support on local wood fuel, bio-diesel clubs, car clubs Example: Green Valleys, Brecon Beacons

22. Review of local businesses indicated that high proportion are micro (less than 5 people) Noted trend for micro businesses to operate from home Partnership between energy agency and general business advisory service Development of webinar tailoring energy saving advice and info to home-based workers, including: Heating a home office/one room in house Lighting and ICT Eco-driving Example: energy saving for home-workers

23. Retrofit Example: end terrace Victorian house MeasureCostCost savingCarbon saving External/internal solid wall insulation £9,975£222 pa2 tonnes pa Couple with young child, employed Double glazing, loft insulation and efficient gas boiler replacement already done No savings, took out PAYS loan, maximum £10,000 External ins side and back, internal at front to preserve features Conservation area – had to get permission

24. Retrofit Example: Georgian listed townhouse MeasureCostCost savingCarbon saving Internal solid wall insulation £4,500£327 pa2.34 tonnes pa Secondary glazing£6,260£52 pa0.36 tonnes pa Gas boiler upgrade£2,350£93 pa0.74 tonnes pa Family with teenagers, employed Loft and sloping ceiling ins done Wall plasterwork in need of repair Chose solar ready combi, but now want PV, planning consent awaited Did DIY sec glazing on back windows

25. Retrofit Example: timber frame 1970s MeasureCostCost savingCarbon saving Loft insulation top up £350£39 pa0.26 tonnes pa Spray foam insulation on walls £3,130£98 pa0.65 tonnes pa Floor insulation£560£118 pa0.79 tonnes pa Full gas central heating £9,700£72 pa0.58 tonnes pa Solar water heating£3,000£50 pa0.40 tonnes pa Inherited family home, family with kids, employed Doing major refurbishment Remember house as child as light and cheerful but too cold! Loft ins and d glazing done

26. Retrofit Example: stone cottage MeasureCostCost savingCarbon saving Internal solid wall insulation £10,470£841 pa4.12 tonnes pa LPG boiler upgrade£3,900£175 pa0.90 tonnes pa Working couple Attic rooms, thick stone walls Hard to heat, unreliable LPG boiler Wanted pellet boiler, but worried about resale as manual handling Compromised with new boiler and wood stove Internal insulation preserves character

27. Resources Government advice: ActonCO2.direct.gov.uk Energy Saving Trust:est.co.uk free advice for households 0800 512012 Independent energy agencies/specialist non-profits: Severn Wye Energy Agency: swea.co.uk West Wales Eco Centre: ecocentre.org.uk Centre for Sustainable Energy: cse.org.uk National Energy Action: nea.org.uk Global Action Plan: globalactioplan.org.uk Centre for Alternative Technology: cat.org.uk Partnerships/trade bodies Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes: www.eeph.org.uk Association for the Conservation of Energy

28. Thank you for listening Catrin Maby www.swea.co.uk