Reducing energy waste

Good for us, great for the environment

Contents

• Why we use energy

• Energy use in Ireland

• Energy use and the environment

• Reducing energy waste at home

• Reducing energy waste at work

Why we use energy

• Most of the energy we use in Ireland comes from fossil fuels, oil, coal, peat and gas

• Energy keeps our homes warm, production lines running

and our public services delivering

Energy use and the environment

• Energy use from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) releases CO2 , a greenhouse gas, which can influence our climate over a period of time

• The average person in Ireland will cause the release of about 10 tonnes of CO2

every year

Energy use in Ireland

• We import almost 90% of our primary energy demands

• Irish consumers export almost €6bn from our economy buying energy from overseas Over half of Ireland’s electricity is generated from

imported gas, but sources are drying up, in 2020 Russia will be the

main supplier

Reducing energy waste at home

• Where does the energy go?

Reducing energy waste at home

• This is a 2 bar electric fire – Each bar uses approximately 1

kWh of energy if left on for one hour

Reducing energy waste at home

• Consider measuring your ‘live’ energy use – Easy to install meters give instant feedback

on energy consumption and costs

Reducing energy waste at home

Lighting

Power of One: Case StudyThe Brennan Family

Saving €110 per year

Replace 5 incandescent

lightbulbs with 5 compact

fluorescent lamps

and you will save this

1000kg pile of coal

Replace 5 incandescent

lightbulbs with 5 compact

fluorescent lamps

and you will save this

1000kg pile of coal

Reducing energy waste at home

Reducing energy waste at home

Space heating

Power of One: Case StudyThe Meehan Family

Saving €680 per year

Reducing energy waste at home

Appliances

Power of One: Case StudyThe Heffernan FamilySaving €332 per year

Reducing energy waste at home

• Invest to save– Appliances: Only buy ‘A’ rated energy labelled products – Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs): These use a fraction of the

electricity of an ordinary light bulb and last up to 10 times longer. – Insulation: Insulating your attic and walls could save you 30-40% on

your home heating bill. Visit www.seai.ie/betterenergyhomes for information on the Better Energy Homes scheme grants that can help.

– Heating System Upgrade: The Better Energy Homes scheme will also grant aid high efficiency boilers and heating control improvements.

Reducing energy waste at home

• Invest to save– If you want to do even more for the environment think about how your

energy needs could be met through renewable sources. – Solar energy(the sun)-for space and water heating– Geothermal (heat from the ground)-heat pumps for space and water

heating– Biomass(woodchip and pellets)-boilers and stoves for space and water

heating– Wind powered turbines (the wind)- for electricity generation– Hydro electric power (moving water in rivers)- for electricity generation

Reducing energy waste at home

• For more detailed information on home energy saving go to:

www.seai.ie/power_of_one

Get your free copy of this guide for Householders

Reducing energy waste at work

• Reducing energy waste at work is about delivering the same service or activity but using less energy

• This involves looking out for opportunities to save energy in our day to day activities

Reducing energy waste at work

Business Implications• Competitiveness

– Reducing costs, staying in business, cash flow savings

• Security of supply– Price security

• Environmental Protection• Increasing legislation (Best available techniques, carbon tax etc) • Emissions Trading (EU ETS)• Integrated Pollution and Prevention Licences (IPPC)• Building Energy Rating (BER)• Energy Using Products Directive• Energy Services Directive

Reducing energy waste at work

Exactly the same principles as at home• Reduce loads on the power systems• Switch off equipment when its not needed, at the end of the

day or over lunch breaks, this includes lights, compressed air generators, heating and cooling etc.

• Suggest your own ideas!

Reducing energy waste at work

• Example: Medical insurance Group, Pacificare, developed an energy awareness campaign for its 380 staff in Letterkenny and saved 15% of its annual energy costs.– The only investment was €55 on two plug-in energy watt-meters

One thing leads to another...