With colder weather now on its way, Westerham residents can find out for free how they can make their homes more energy efficient and stay warm during the winter.

From 16 October, in the run up to Energy Efficiency Week, many Westerham households will be receiving a free home energy survey from Sevenoaks District Council.

The survey asks a number of questions about how much energy their household uses. Anyone who completes the survey will receive in return a free advice pack from Kent Energy Centre, which will include:

• An assessment of their home's energy efficiency
• A breakdown of the typical energy losses from various parts of the house
• Identifying and informing the resident of specific energy improvement measures that can be made
• An indication of the likely costs of the selected improvements and their payback period

During the month, there will also be the opportunity for a limited number of households to have an energy advisor from Kent Energy Centre visit them to carry out a free independent energy survey in their home.

Energy Efficiency Week runs from 23 to 29 October, during which time Sevenoaks District Council, with support from the Energy Saving Trust, is encouraging people in the District to reduce the amount of energy they use by adopting some small and simple measures in the home.

Top tips include:

• Set your washing machine to as cool a wash as possible. Modern washing powders are just as effective at lower temperatures. Washing your clothes at 40 degrees rather than 60 degrees uses a third less electricity.
• An insulating jacket for hot water tanks only costs a few pounds and pays for itself within months. Fit one that's at least 75mm (3") thick and you could save around £20 a year.
• Turning down your central heating thermostat by just 1 degree could cut your heating bills by up to 10% or £30 a year.
• Every year VCRs and DVD players in the UK use £255million and TVs £116million worth of electricity when they are left on standby. About 85% of the electricity used by your VCR is consumed while it’s not actually on.
• As the clocks go back and the days get shorter you'll be relying on your lights more. Trade up your ordinary light bulbs for energy saving ones. Priced from just £3.50, energy efficient light bulbs last up to 12 times longer and for each bulb you fit, you can save up to £9 on your annual electricity bill.

Cllr Carol Clark, the Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for housing issues, says: "At this time of the year there are plenty of energy saving measures people can take that will both help them save money, and help the environment. Everyone can do their bit and, in a short time, most energy saving measures pay for themselves."

The Council’s Energy Conservation Officer will also be appearing at the budget consultation meeting at Otford Parish Church Hall on 17 October to offer energy saving advice.

For further information on energy saving matters visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or contact the Kent Energy Centre on 0800 358 6669. Alternatively visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/energy or contact the Council’s Energy Conservation Officer on 01732 227155.


For further information please contact: Steve Mandaluff on 01732 227162 or e-mail steven.mandaluff@sevenoaks.gov.uk