The Hiddens Costs of Climate Change

With the outcome of the recent UK elections and the BP crisis, there hasn't been too much kin the papers or the media about climate change. Sadly it is still there and following a recent piece of research by the u-Switch website, it looks as though the average household is now paying £84 per year to meetthe increasing environmental levies. This includes the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target, the Community Energy Saving Programme and the Renewables Obligation currently make up 7% of energy bills.Writing in the Independant Nicky Burridge reports that this could well double in the next 10 years. It is clear that as governments (UK and Europe) look to tackle the challenges of climate change whether we like it or not we the end user will have to pay.

So what are our options? The simplest way is to cut back on our use of electricity and fossil fuels. We have  installed an energy meter to better manage the way we use electricity in addition to switching to a green tariff.  We also have installed a multi fuel burning stove from Clearviews Stoves. We are really impressed by its performance, but it does take quite alot of work in cutting the wood. However we have an agreement with our neighbour, we do work on his hedgerows and get the wood.

Our next consideration is to practice what we preach and our looking at solar and photovoltaics.

Future Directions are pleased to offer advice and guidance on energy reduction and alternative energies. e-mail us or call us on 01874 638979