Mike Hancock News
MP Commits to Take Time out to Save Energy this Week
Mike Hancock, MP for Portsmouth South has pledged to take some time to save money and energy this week in support of the Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Saving Week (20th-26th October). He urged local people to call the Act on CO2 Advice Line or visit the Energy Saving Trust’s website to find out what simple steps they could take to save energy in the home, cutting energy bills and protecting the environment at the same time.
Mike has also signed a Parliamentary Motion supporting Energy Saving Week, which points out that energy efficiency can play a key role in reducing energy bills at a time of increasing prices. The Motion highlights research by the Energy Saving Trust showing that people feel a lack of time is a barrier to them taking energy saving measures. However, the Energy Saving Trust also provides some simple tips on quick and easy measures that people can take to cut their energy consumption and fuel bills.
Mike Hancock said: “I am delighted to support the Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Saving Week, to highlight the impact that wasting energy can have on the energy bills of hard working local people and the environment.
“With us all having busier and busier lives, I know that people in Portsmouth sometimes feel they do not have the time to take steps to save energy, but as the Energy Saving Trust are showing, it does not need to take long to save energy and money on your fuel bills too. That’s why I am committing to take a small amount of time out of my busy schedule to take action to cut my energy use this week and hope that local residents will find out what they can do as well.
So I will be making sure I do my bit by taking simple steps like switching appliances off at the socket rather than leaving them on stand by, and using low energy light bulbs to improve energy efficiency in my home.”
Mike added: “In Energy Saving Week, I am now urging all of my constituents to see what they can do to save energy by calling the Act on CO2 Advice Line on 0800 512 012 where local, expert and impartial advisers can give them individual advice on energy saving measures they can take, and on grants and other help that may be available. Alternatively, they can visit the Energy Saving Trust website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk”
Notes The Energy Saving Trust recommends ten quick and simple ways that people can start to save energy in their homes.
1) Turn the thermostat down by 1 degree. Reducing your room temperature by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10 percent. You could save around £50 per year.
2) Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
3) Always turn off the lights when you leave a room.
4) Don't leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances, such as mobile phones, on charge unnecessarily.
5) If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programme.
6) Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle).
7) A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off!
8) Use energy saving light bulbs. They last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs, and using one can save you around £40 over the lifetime of the bulb and only take a few minutes to install. This saving could be up to £60 over its lifetime if you’re replacing a very high wattage incandescent bulb, or one used for more than a few hours a day.
9) Call the Act on CO2 Advice Line on 0800 512 012 for free, local, impartial, individually tailored advice on measures you can take to save energy. Advisers can also let people know about grants and other help that may be available.
10) Visit the Energy Saving Trust website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk for a wide variety of information on saving energy, including Energy Saving Recommended products, insulation, generating your own energy, greener transport and more.
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