Renewables

Renewable energy accounts for just 5% of the UK’s electricity production, but this figure is likely to double within a few years.

Renewable energy technologies are powered by resources that won’t run out (e.g. the sun, the wind, the tide) and either do not emit carbon dioxide or are considered ‘carbon-neutral’.

The main forms of renewable energy are wind, solar, biomass, hydro, tidal/wave and heat-pumps.

You can find out more about renewable energy from the Department of Trade & Industry (large-scale) and from the Energy Saving Trust (small scale).

Challenge 5

Keep the warmth in the areas where it’s wanted

Keep the warmth in the areas where it’s wanted. Certain parts of buildings – e.g. foyers, storerooms corridors - don’t need to be kept as warm as others. The trick is to keep the warm air where it is needed, and prevent it escaping into areas where it isn’t. Modern heating systems can heat various parts of a building differently, and shutting doors will also help.