Smart saving

The vast majority are aware that climate change is a certainty if we continue our profligate energy-guzzling ways. Yet energy consumption continues to rise: The DTI reports that it has risen over 20% in homes over the last 15 years as rising household incomes are transformed into widescreen TVs, air conditioning and other ‘indispensable’ electrical appliances. Worryingly, this trend looks set to continue: the Energy Information Administration expects energy use in the built environment to rise by a staggering 40% in the next 20 years, as we report this month.

With these figures, it would be easy to conclude that most people simply do not care about their impact on the environment. Yet, without exception, the winners of CIBSE’s 100 Days of Carbon Clean-Up campaign set out how important employee commitment was to their firm’s success. Likewise, the recent launch of domestic photovoltaic panels and wind turbines proves people are prepared to make an expensive – and perhaps uneconomic – investment to reduce their carbon footprint.

If there was one fundamental lesson learnt by the winners of the 100 Days’ campaign, it’s that it is possible to make significant energy savings without spending a fortune. The key was to change employees’ behaviour – and the same is true for householders. With a few minor behavioural – and possibly lifestyle – changes, the potential for a reduction in emissions is enormous.

Fundamental to behavioural change is education. That is why the idea of an eco-concierge to advise householders on sustainable lifestyle choices is worth serious consideration. The carbon savings can be up to 100 times greater than if the same money was spent on renewable technologies. At work, meanwhile, employing a specialist from CIBSE’s register of low carbon consultants could be a crucial first step in implementing behavioural changes that will save money and energy. It’s really not so difficult – or expensive – to demonstrate a commitment to saving energy.