February 22, 2012

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Sustainable Living in the Heatons celebrating one year and still growing

January 24, 2012 By

SLH celebrated its first anniversary in December 2011. Set up to promote a more sustainable lifestyle in the Heatons, the group has delivered a number of events in the area, aimed at encouraging all age groups to take small steps towards sustainability by focussing on  topics that interest them. There was a huge turnout for the inaugural Swap Shop which took place early in 2011 with another one kick starting this year at St Thomas Church, Heaton Chapel on 28 January. Swap Shops are very popular: they are all about re-using household items, clothes and toys and anyone, no matter what age, can get involved.

Other events in 2011 that proved to be popular included an Energy event designed to help visitors work out how to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint. Expert advice was offered on loft insulation, solar panels, cavity wall insulation and obtaining grants. Reducing food waste was a fascinating topic covered towards the end of 2011 at a very well attended event held at St Winifred’s Church Hall.

SLH is not just about events though. The group provides information on a wide range of subjects   related to energy saving, reducing your energy bills, reducing your carbon footprint and making a difference to your community. There are trips planned for 2012: visits to an Eco house, Eco Parks and to Todmorden to find out more about the famous food growing project,  the ‘incredible edibles’.

If you would like to get involved, join us for a chat or receive updates ,please contact slheatons@hotmail.co.uk or tel Lauren Liles on 07801 951040.

In addition to the visits mentioned here, we’ve also got planned for 2012:  Another energy event, BBQ and bike ride, and the Swap Shop (Jan 28th at St Thomas Church, Heaton Chapel)

 

Faster, harder, better, stronger: the new appliance A+++ rating 

From 20th December 2011, all large domestic appliances have to display the new energy label under EU law. The revised label is designed to emphasize the product’s energy consumption, and enable consumers to calculate its running costs and so choose the most sustainable product.

 

Old labels are replaced by new energy labels from Dec 2011

The new label contains other useful information, including the appliance’s noise level, drying efficiency and storage capacity. It’s designed to be easy to understand, using minimal language. The label’s new A+ ratings and discontinuation of the ratings E, F and G reflect how appliance performance has improved since the introduction of the original label in the mid-1990s. And unlike the old label, retailers will no longer have a choice whether to display the new label.  Under EU law new products cannot be sold without the new label.

 

It is important that you have sufficient information to make informed decisions when buying new domestic appliances and products with the energy label. Top tips are:

 

  1. Always look for the most efficient product by ensuring the label’s colour band is the darkest green
  2. An A++ class product costs around 50% less to run than an A rated appliance
  3. If you’re buying a new appliance, the retailer is obliged by law to either accept your old appliance in store free of charge or tell you where it can be recycled for free
  4. Many retailers can collect your old appliance from your home, although they are not obliged to do this

 

Severn Wye Energy Agency, a not-for-profit independent charity, is working on a pan-European project called Come on Labels. This EU funded project is reviewing retail and manufacturing compliance on the new label, and raising awareness of the importance of labelling domestic appliances.

 

To learn more about the EU energy label, you can download a leaflet by visiting www.swea.co.uk/energylabels  For more information on labelling, visit www.direct.gov.uk/energylabel

 

The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.