Energy
For over 100 years the majority of our household energy in the UK has come from fossil fuels, like coal, gas and oil, meaning our heating, light and appliances have all been contributing to global warming through the Greenhouse Effect. It has been clear for over 30 years that carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels causes climate change on a global scale and we must stop using gas, oil and coal now.
Did you know?
The UK burnt 4.6 million tonnes of coal since the opening of the first coal-fired power station in 1882, releasing 10.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The last remaining coal plant closed in September 2024.
Energy in Bradninch
In 2014, the UK Government published their first ever Community Energy Strategy, which highlighted the ways that communities like Bradninch can help tackle the combined and linked problems of high fuel bills and tackling climate change.
Bradninch has several Community Energy Champions, trained by ECOE to help people lower their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. They have a great project called Healthy Homes where a free consultation from a trained adviser can find out if you can save money on energy bills. For more information, click here.
Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Many homes in Bradninch and Mid Devon lose heat through poorly insulated areas. Check for draughts around doors and windows and seal any gaps to prevent heat loss. Check out the Citizen's Advice pages about making your home more energy efficient here.
You can get free advice at the Energy clinics run by Exeter Community Energy. For more info, please click here.
Loft insulation is an easy and affordable way to keep your home warm. Many properties in Mid Devon, particularly older homes, may not have sufficient insulation. Consider upgrading your loft insulation to the recommended 270mm thickness.
If your windows are single-glazed or poorly sealed, they could be allowing heat to escape. Bradninch homeowners can explore local grants or schemes to help with the cost of double glazing.
External doors that aren't insulated properly can lead to significant heat loss. In Bradninch, it's worth looking into grants or incentives offered by local services that help with door insulation.
Low Carbon Technologies
Heat pumps are a highly efficient alternative to traditional heating systems. They extract heat from the air or ground and use it to heat your home. For more information on how heat pumps work, please click here.
Bradninch residents can explore local schemes like the Healthy Homes program to get advice on whether a heat pump is a good fit for their property.
Free advice about retrofitting your property is available from Exeter Community Energy. Phone 0800 772 3617 or email healthyhomes@ecoe.org.uk.
In addition to heat pumps, solar thermal systems and biomass boilers are viable low-carbon options. Many local installers in Mid Devon can offer consultations on the suitability of these technologies for your home.
Grants are available for Mid Devon residents, particularly if your property is not on the gas grid, or you use an oil powered heating system. You can get help and advice from ECOE's Healthy Home scheme. Phone 0800 772 3617 or email healthyhomes@ecoe.org.uk.
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, reducing reliance on grid power and lowering your carbon footprint. Local energy providers in Mid Devon are increasingly offering renewable energy packages that can be paired with solar panel installations.
Phone 0800 772 3617 or email healthyhomes@ecoe.org.uk for free impartial advice.
Household Energy
Choose 'A' rated appliances if buying new. Check that your appliances are working on their most efficient settings. You can use a Smart meter to do this or search online.
Most appliances will have 'Eco' settings, which keep energy use low. If you buy new appliances, make sure you buy the most highly rated: click herefor more information.
You may not realise how much energy some appliances consume. Click hereto learn more.
There are several suppliers of renewable energy including Octopusand Ecotricity.
Ecotricityis Britain's biggest green supplier, with 100% of their energy produced by solar and wind power.
Octopus Energy are the only electricity supplier approved by Which?. All of their smart tariffs use 100% renewable electricity and there are no exit fees.
Ensure you are using your thermostat efficiently to manage energy consumption. In the colder months in Bradninch, aim to keep your thermostat set between 18-21 degrees celsius to avoid unnecessary heating costs.
Switching to LED lights in your Bradninch home can reduce energy use by up to 80%.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
'Net zero' refers to the goal of balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere with the amount that is removed or offset, so that the overall impact on the climate is neutral.
'Climate neutral' is a term used to describe a situation where the overall impact of human activities on the climate is zero. This means that any greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide) released into the atmosphere are fully balanced by actions that either reduce or remove an equivalent amount of those gases, making no net contribution to climate change.
Ecotricityis Britain's biggest green supplier, with 100% of their energy produced by solar and wind power.
Octopus Energy are the only electricity supplier approved by Which?. All of their smart tariffs use 100% renewable electricity and there are no exit fees.
UK Energy Security
Find out where the UK gets half of its gas for heating and appliances from here.
Planning and Building
There are considerable barriers for local renewable energy schemes getting through our convoluted planning process. The government and local authorities could do a lot more to make sure communities are involved when local schemes are being planned. See paper published recently by Regen here.
Hopefully new legislation will help renewable energy schemes to be planned and built in the coming years.