Presentation by Paul Wallace of National Energy Action NI to the NICVA Centre for Economic Empowerment Masterclass on Energy Markets in Northern Ireland (17 October 2014). The presentation address the factors and implications of fuel poverty, what can be done to mitigate it, and the importance of energy efficiency.

1. 1
Energy Prices and …..
and the Consumer

2. 2

3. Fuel Poverty Definition
“A household is in fuel poverty if, in order
to maintain an acceptable level of
temperature throughout the home, the
occupants would have to spend
more than 10% of their income on all
household fuel use.”
DSD – Warmer Healthier Homes

4. Fuel Poverty / Affordable Warmth Factors
4
Increase
Income
e.g. Benefit
Entitlement
Check
Helps to minimise
Impact of
High
Energy Prices
Reduces Energy
Costs
Increasing the
Energy Efficiency
High
Energy Prices
Energy Inefficiency Low
Income

5. 5
Impact on
the Consumer

6. Indoor temperature and its
effects on health
• 18-24oC, no risk to healthy people
• Below 160C, diminished resistance to
respiratory infections
• Below 120C, increased blood pressure and
viscosity/strain on cardiovascular system
• Below 90C, after 2 or more hours, deep body
temperature falls
• Below 60C, place people at risk of
hypothermia (below ‘normal’ core body
temp of between 36 – 37.50C (96.8–99.5°F)
Collins KJ (1986) Op Cit.

7. 7
How cold temperatures affect health
Blood vessels
near skin contract
Blood pressure rises
Body is
stressed
Heart attack
or stroke
Immune
function is
compromised
Infections
Premature
death
CL NEA
Conference
2009

8. 8
Energy efficiency
as part of the solution

9. 9
Energy Efficiency is
Getting the most from the
energy we use
And keeping it where it is needed
for as long as possible

10. We don’t flick the switch on to use energy….
10

11. In a typical home the percentage energy use is
Lighting and
appliances
19%
Water heating
18%
Space heating
60%
Cooking
3%

12. Getting the most from the energy we use
12
Energy Efficiency…..
For Space and Domestic Hot Water Heating
that means having an
Efficient Heating System
?
28% efficient Over 86 % efficient

13. Energy Efficient
Central Heating
Getting the most
heat out of the
fuel used:
A or B rated
boiler
13
Boiler Efficiency
SEDBUK:
Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK

14. 14
Heating Controls also help to
achieve efficiency
and maintain adequate warmth
• Living room 210C
• Kitchen 180C
• Bathroom 220C
• Bedrooms 180C
• Hall and Stairs 160C
• note: these are suggested minimum temperatures
• Domestic Hot Water 600C

15. 15
Metaphorically controls have
moved from this …..

16. 16
…. to this

17. 17
Typical central heating controls
• Programmer
• Room Thermostat
• Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)
• Cylinder Thermostat

18. 18
Getting the most from the energy we use
means using low energy lighting
100W bulb used for 1100hours* = 110 kWh
i.e. 110 units
110 units x 18.04p per unit = £19.84
*estimated annual use
20W CFL used for 1100 hours* = 22 kWh
i.e. 22 units
22 units x 18.04p per unit = £3.97
*estimated annual use
That’s a saving of over £15.00 per year!
Figures based on approx 3 hours use per day for 1 year
18.04p: Power NI July 2013 price of 1 unit incl vat

19. Going from
this
19 Figures based on approx 3 hours use per day for 1 year
18.04p: Power NI July 2013 price of 1 unit incl vat
To this
Could save over £60.00 per year
(4 x £15.00)

20. LEDs – more efficient.
More expensive to buy but save more
money in the long term.
Of course, the easiest way to save on your lighting bill is
simply to turn off the light when you’re not using it. You will
ALWAYS save energy if you turn the light off when you
leave the room, even if it’s only for a minute or two.

21. 21

22. 22
For appliances getting the most out of
the energy we use means replacing old
appliances with energy efficient models
and we have many more appliances in
our homes today than in the 1970s…..

23. Typical energy using products in
the home over 30 years ago - 17

24. Typical energy
using products in
the home today -
over 40

25. 25
Use ‘A’ rated appliances
Fridge-Freezer
325kWh x 18.04p
that’s a typical
running cost of
£58.63 annually

26. 26
Energy Efficiency is also
keeping the heat where it is needed
for as long as possible

27. 27
According to the laws of heat
exchange, heat will always move
from a warm place to a colder area.
Thus a significant
amount of heat in the
home can be lost to a
colder outside
environment
21oC
5oC

28. 28
Where the heat goes
Roof
25%
35%
Through the
Walls
1155%%
Floor
Draughts 15%
10% Windows

29. 29
Keeping the heat where we need it
for as long as possible?
Not Insulated Insulated

30. 30
Cavity Wall Insulation
Reduces heat loss through the walls
•Installation takes less than a day to
complete
•Payback: 3 – 4 years

31. 31
Loft Insulation
Reduces heat loss through the roof
•Install loft insulation to a depth of 300 mm
(approx 12”) and reduce the heat loss through
your roof.
•Payback: about 2 years (installing 300mm from 0mm))

32. 32
Hot Water Cylinder Jacket
• One of the most cost effective
measures available
• Payback: approx. 6 months

33. Draught-proofing gaps around windows,
33
doors, pipes, unused chimneys
Reduce unwanted ventilation heat loss through
gaps around doors , windows, etc.
•Fit draught proofing
•Payback: 2 – 3 years

34. 34
Windows
Reduce the heat loss through the windows
with double glazing
•Low emissivity energy efficient glass can
reduce heat loss even further
•Payback: + 20 years

35. 35
A thought……
…..the cheapest unit of
energy is the one
we don’t use.

36. Contact numbers
Bryson Energy Advice Line 0800 1422 865
Warm Homes Scheme 0800 9880 559
Boiler Replacement Allowance 03448 920 900
Northern Exposure (Belfast) 028 9023 9909
Age NI 0808 8087 575
Citizens Advice 028 9026 1970
Advice NI 028 9064 5919
Consumer Council 028 9067 2488
Disruption to Supply 08457 643 643
36

37. 37
Together we can…..
….. make a difference!