Home Energy Case Studies

Case One:

Four bedroom Victorian terraced house, two adults two children. (NB all figures are annual, and are rounded for simplicity)

Before; 24 000 kWh gas, 6 800 kWh electricity, equates to about 12 000 kgs CO2, or 3 000 kgs CO2 per person.

After; 17 300 kWh gas, 2 200 kWh electricity, equates to 4 200 kgs CO2, or 1 000 kgs CO2 per person.

How; more insulation, PV roof panels for electricity, turning everything down.

Why; we watched a TV programme about global dimming and realised just how bad a state we are in. Oh, and we switched jobs so that car mileage has gone from 20,000 to 4,000 miles a year.

Case Two:

Victorian end of terrace with loads of rooms all stupidly large and draughty, family of six plus variable numbers of lodgers.

Before; 51 500 kWh gas, 9 000 kWh electricity, equates to 14 000 kgs CO2 or 2 000 kgs per person (based on 7 people).

After; 14 000 kWh gas, 4 000 kWh electricity, equates to around 4 600 kgs CO2 or 800 kgs per person (based on 6 people one has left home).

How; changed the boiler, added more insulation, installed solar panels for domestic hot water, turned everything down and bought more fleeces.

Why; whole family heard George Monbiot speak, read Mayer Hillman, realised what a state we are in. Oh, and sold the car, joined car club, and discovered that car-free living is way better and a lot cheaper.