Energy Saving Week helps residents to 'go green'

If sustainability and energy-efficiency aren’t at the top of your list of priorities, that might be because you think you don’t have the time. After all, the UK has the longest working hours in Europe. Add to that the time it takes to commute, keep the house tidy and every other responsibility associated with busy, modern living, and it’s understandable that most of us want to spend our spare time winding down.

But ‘being green’ doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult, as a series of roadshows run by Peabody from 20 to 26 October set out to demonstrate.

Over 200 residents benefited along the route of the ‘Wellbeing Wagon’ as it visited estates on Walworth Road and Southwark Street, in Clapham and Battersea, as well as stopping outside Darwin Court. Wagon staff handed out information, advice and freebies to residents, all with the aim of helping them to save energy and money, as well as giving information on the types of financial help that are available to them.

Among the free items available to residents were energy-saving light bulbs, supplied by the Energy Saving Trust, as well as water-saving ‘hippos’, power downs for electrical goods and thermometers. Information leaflets were also given out and the Wellbeing Wagon’s computers were there to enable residents to compare energy tariffs on the web. Staff ran a free draw, with one lucky resident from the Clapham Estate winning an energy-saving kettle.

Peabody hopes that the week’s activities will help provide a lasting legacy and help change attitudes and practices in the home. Energy efficiency can help reduce your shopping bill too. Energy-saving light bulbs use a fifth of the energy of a standard bulb, and can save up to £60 over their lifetime. Or, if you’re looking out for new electronics equipment for your home appliances, make sure they carry the Energy Saving Recommended logo.

To find out more about what you can do to become more energy efficient, contact the Energy Saving Trust’s London advice centre. The centre can offer personalised advice and information on a range of environmental issues and energy-saving measures.

Freephone: 0800 512 012 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm)
Email:/advice@est-london.org.uk
Website: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/london

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