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11
million energy wasting mistakes made every month
THE Home Heat
Helpline (0800 33 66 99) released the 1st National Barometer on
Energy Efficiency which reveals that despite millions of people
wanting to become more energy efficient, households across the North
West last month made more than 11 million energy wasting mistakes in
the home. The national representative sample of 1848 people, carried
out by Canvasse Opinion on behalf of the Helpline, found that in the
last month alone people in the North West made the following
mistakes:-
- Leaving appliances on standby (69%)
- Leaving the heating on all night (29%)
- Boiling a kettle full of water for just one cup (30%)
- Using a washing machine with only a half load (31%)
- Forgetting to turn off all their lights before leaving the house
(24%) - Forgetting to turn the heating off before leaving the house (21%)
- Having furniture or curtains covering radiators (20%)
- Leaving hot taps running (7%)
The research discovered that despite the recent focus on fuel bills
nearly 1 in 4 people from the North West have their home thermostat
set too high. The research found that 23% of those questioned had
their thermostat set to 22° or higher – above the recommended
temperature of the main living room in the home of 21° and 18° for
the rest of the house.
The research was carried out for The Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66
99). Funded by Britain’s energy suppliers the Helpline is the only
service for all customers who have difficulties with heating their
homes or paying for their energy bills no matter who their energy
supplier is.
Duncan Sedgwick, Chief Executive of the Energy Retail Association:-
“It is alarming that despite the warnings millions of
households in the North West are wasting money every month by paying
higher than necessary home energy bills. Households need to examine
the energy they use and take steps where think they can save money.
We would encourage anyone worried about paying their fuel bills this
winter to call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 as soon as
possible so they can receive advice on how to efficiently use energy
in the home.”
The Barometer also gave an insight into what motivates people in the
North West to save energy in the home. Surprisingly, the debate
surrounding the environment in recent months and the responsibility
of households to do their bit seems to have had little impact on the
desire to save energy. 78% responded that it was energy bills and
not the environment which was the main driver for making their homes
energy efficient. Across the UK as a whole the drive to reduce
energy use for environmental reasons does however seem to be
reaching the next generation of households. Of 18-24 years olds who
answered the survey 32% cited the environment as the main reason why
people make their homes energy efficient compared to just 16% of
those aged 65+.
Regardless of the motives behind energy efficiency in the home the
research showed that North West residents had an overwhelming desire
to improve their homes energy efficiency and many had recently taken
steps to improve their homes. 97% of people believed it was
important to make their homes energy efficient and 70% had taken
such steps in the last 12 months.
Where North West households are taking steps to conserve energy the
research showed that there was a noticeable emphasis on steps that
will reduce electricity consumption rather than saving valuable heat
in the home.
The most popular steps all related to electricity savings:-
80% had used energy efficient light bulbs
57% had turned off appliances at the wall
46% had used economy program when washing clothes
The least chosen steps all related to heating savings:-
25% had used draft excluders on letter boxes and doors
25% had insulated loft
25% had double or triple glazed glazing
9% had insulated hot water tanks or pipes
Duncan Sedgwick, Chief Executive of the Energy Retail Association
added:- “Whilst households in the North West should be
applauded for taking steps to reduce their electricity consumption
it is worrying that so many households are ignoring ways to save
heat energy through insulation. Insulation for your loft, pipes and
walls can be installed free or at discounted prices through your
energy supplier and can save you more than £300 a year through lower
bills.”
One the most worrying aspects that emerged from the survey was the
lack of knowledge in the North West about where to turn to for
advice on energy efficiency and the very low number of individuals
who had actively looked into whether they were entitled to grants to
help insulate their home. The research showed that 41% of
respondents didn’t know where to go for energy savings advice and
55% of respondents stated that they had never checked to see if they
were eligible for government home energy efficiency grants.
To accompany the research Home Heat Helpline and IRT, the leading
provider of thermo-imaging have produced a photograph which uses
thermal imaging to show the heat that can escape from a badly
insulated house. |
49%
OF WORKFORCE ‘WORK IN AN UNHEALTHY ENVIRONMENT’
WITH 53% of
people from the North-West admitting they struggle into work when
ill, it is easy to see why 49% of people consider their workplace an
unhealthy environment. With all these germs around as well as long
hours and increasing stress, it’s understandable that 35% of
North-West workers hold the workplace directly responsible for the
majority of their illnesses.
However, the survey, conducted by Yakult, suggests that many people
may be misinformed, with 44% of people from the North-West believing
that if a colleague had a cold, they were almost bound to catch it.
With so many people believing that colds are inevitable, it’s
understandable that only 14% of people from the North-West take
active measures to protect themselves.
The survey was carried out to launch Yakult’s Healthy Workplace
Awards 2007. Yakult is looking for the healthiest workplace from the
North-West to enter the regional heats. The winner of the nationwide
contest will win a trip to Japan, the birthplace of Yakult, for six
of the company’s employees. Regional heat winners will receive a
Yakult fridge.
Yakult spokesperson Sonya Hayden says:- “Thankfully, many
workplaces around the UK are recognising the importance of
proactively contributing to employee health, with initiatives such
as free fruit, gym membership, relaxation areas, office décor, yoga
classes or social events. To reward those organisations that are
actively investing in employee health, Yakult is launching the
‘Yakult Healthy Workplace Awards’. 51% of people in the North-West
think they work in a healthy environment so we want to hear from
them. ”
The Awards scheme is open to any organisation in the North-West that
believes it has a healthy attitude to employee health – and both
employers and employees are eligible to nominate. To enter, simply
visit
www.healthyworkawards.co.uk.
Professor Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff
University, explains:- “With so many people going to work when
ill, it is inevitable that many of us will come into contact with
germs during the working day. The key to strengthening our bodies
against attack lies within our immune system – a network of cells,
tissues and organs that protects us against germs and harmful
microorganisms. The majority of this system lies within our gut, so
looking after your digestive system with diet, exercise and a
healthy lifestyle is vital for stronger natural defences. However,
employers also have a duty of care, and if more workplaces were to
take active steps to maintain the health of their workforce, I
believe we would see far fewer instances of colds and flu”.
Professor Eccles’s top tips for a healthier workplace:-
1. Germ warfare... Wash all crockery and cutlery in hot water after use, and don't
share these with colleagues. Keep wipes on your
desk to clean hands, phone, keyboard and surfaces – these can all
spread germs. Use hygienic paper
towels in toilets and dry your hands properly as damp hands transmit
more germs than dry hands
2. Eat yourself well... Eat a good selection of fruit and vegetables to ensure you get
plenty of vitamins - and aim to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each
day. Take a daily
probiotic like Yakult – they help improve the gut which in turn can
boost the body’s natural defenses. Organise an office
curry for lunch! Eating curry is a great way to fight off the common
cold.
3. Keep Fighting Fit... Keep the blood moving around your body. Try placing everyday objects
such as staplers away from your desk so you have to stand to reach
them. Take a break and walk
round the office to alleviate the fatigue of sitting at your desk
for long periods. Set up an office
walking club or sports team.
4. Work and Play... Try to relax and not over-react to office problems. Stress lowers
resistance to infection. Get a good nights
sleep as part of a healthy lifestyle. Try to ensure there
is a healthy work / life balance.
5. Healthy surroundings... Turn off the air-con and which can spread germs, and open the window. Make a ‘health
drawer’ which can contain non-perishable snacks e.g. dried
fruit, and sanitizing wipes for when colleagues have colds, and
perhaps a pair of trainers for a brisk lunchtime walk. Add plants to your
workspace. This can actually improve the air quality in the office,
as well as adding to your over-all sense of well-being
6. And if you do catch a cold... Be prepared - always carry tissues not hankies. Cover your sneeze
properly with a disposable tissue then dispose of the tissue in the
bin. If you have no
tissues, learn to sneeze into the inside of your elbow instead of
your hand. That way you won’t share your sneezes with others when
you pass paperwork along or shake hands.
Letter to the Editor:- “70 years old and trying to find my
school friend.”
“I only just
heard about you and, I’m not sure if you can even help me… but... I
am trying to find my friend from school many years back.... I live
in New Mexico in the USA and I have tried everything I know to find
her... I have even joined reunion clubs, the works!
As of yet I have had no luck. This will be my very last try. I know
that she moved to Southport back in the seventies, but I don’t know
her married name. Her single name was Kathleen Williams, she lived
at 13 Bell St. near Old Swan in Liverpool (UK). She will be in her
early seventies now… We attended Lister Drive School, Liverpool.
Another of our "gang" was Silvia Peacock. Gosh, now it would be so
wonderful to reach either of them.
Time is marching on and we do not have an awful lot of time left.
If your readers can think of any way of locating them, please let me
know.
Many, Many thanks, for your online papers kindness and also to your
readers help.” Sincerely Jessica Miller.
hook@hotdial.net |
