Winkleigh Energy Clinic

Winkleigh Parish Council is working with the North Devon Biosphere Reserve and the University of East Anglia to help the Winkleigh community find ways to reduce its energy use and carbon emissions and create a better future. A first step is the energy clinic where experts from the University of East Anglia (UEA) will be available to advise residents how to reduce their energy use, measure their carbon footprint and ways they can save money on energy. Winkleigh Community Centre, Friday 30th October 7 - 9pm, Refreshments provided.

"Winkleigh needs you - we need as many residents as possible to come along so that we can work out the carbon footprint for the community, not just individuals." Roger Smith, Chairman of the Winkleigh Society.

Save energy and save money

"Energy and fuel prices have increased greatly this decade, and are projected by many experts to keep on increasing in the future. Taking steps to reduce energy and carbon emissions now, such as: turning the thermostat down, installing roof and wall insulation, replacing standard bulbs with low energy light bulbs, and installing a high-efficiency boiler or solar thermal hot water will save you money now, and is likely to save you even more money in the years ahead if energy prices increase by as much as they are projected to" Alastair Newens. MBA student from the University of East Anglia.

All residents need to along four items of information so that their carbon footprint can be accurately measured.

1.      Utility bills for 2008

2.      Heating oil usage estimates for 2008

3.      Mileage totals for their car/s from MOT certificates

4.      A list of any flights or train trips they took in 2008

The energy clinic is part of a wider consultancy project being undertaken by three postgraduate carbon management MBA students from UEA with the North Devon Biosphere Reserve.  The 3 MBA students will be calculating the carbon footprint of Winkleigh, and then developing a carbon reduction plan for how Winkleigh's carbon footprint could be reduced by 34% by 2020, and by 80% by 2050 to meet the challenging targets set in the UK government's Climate Change Act.