Some of the best green practices for the voluntary & community sector
1. Free Eco-audits – Free eco-audits for Harrow and London based charities are currently available by application to the City Bridge Trust:
http://www.citybridgetrust.org.uk/CBT/StrategicInitiatives/GreeningTheThirdSector.htm
2. Central Heating – Ensure modern, efficient central-heating boilers, effective and working controls, TRV valves and timers for central heating systems and hot water are in place. Low cost loans available from The Carbon Trust:
http://www.carbontrust.com/client-services/technology/implementation
3. Insulation – Ensure all cavity walls, loft insulation and basic draught-proofing has been carried out. Can also qualify for Carbon Trust loans.
4. Correct Temperatures – Ensure premises are heated no higher than recommended CIBSE winter heating standard (190C), unless being used by elderly infirm (210C) and air-conditioning set no lower than 250C. (Every 10C higher adds up to 10% to heating bill.)
5. Correct Timings – Ensure central heating timers are set correctly and are off at least 1.5 hours before closing and off at weekends. Turn down radiators in all relevant corridors, staircases, landings, bathrooms etc to frost-free level and place insulating-foil placed behind all radiators on outside walls.
6. Recycled Paper – All paper products should be made from recycled paper. Every 17 reams of photocopying paper consumes one tree.
7. Recycling – Comprehensive, well labelled, easily accessed recycling facilities should be in place and on-site composting where possible.
8. Green Electricity Supplier – Switch to a green electricity provider such as Good Energy or Ecotricity who only supplies green electricity made from renewables including hydro, solar and wind, using savings made from energy efficiency. This will eliminate all CO2 emissions for electricity consumption.
9. Efficient Lighting – Install efficient lighting systems and 5 Watt Led desk-lamps, phase out all incandescent bulbs, halogen lamps and inefficient fluorescent lighting tubes. Place relevant light/movement/timers in areas that are often left lit when empty.
10. Water Efficiency – Ensure that all bathrooms have water-efficient controls including push button spray taps/showers, aerating shower-heads, flow restrictors, water efficient or waterless urinals and ultra-efficient dual-flush siphon w.c.s if replacing existing w.c.s. A single urinal without modern controls can waste up to 250,000 litres per annum.
Further information and resources listed at:
http://www.londonfunders.org.uk/resources-funders/climate-change-and-environment
Information on grants available Energy Saving Advice Service: 0300 123 1234