News

Cut the cost of driving

23 Jun, 2008

How can you beat the price rises at the pump?

This month, hundreds of Cornish fuel stations ran dry, causing chaos across the county. But now the pumps are back in action, it still costs over ?60 to fill an average family car, so what can you do to save money?

The easiest answer is to leave the car at home. Walk or cycle for short trips ? some employers even run schemes to encourage cycling to work.

Think again about public transport. It can be expensive, but petrol prices have increased 20% in the last year, so it might save you money. Have you considered driving to a station then catching the train? You could save yourself the cost of parking near work too.

But if you really have to drive, how can you reduce the ?1,500 annual petrol bill for a typical car driving 20 miles each way from home to work?

Clear out the boot. Extra weight wastes fuel ? save ?50

Check your air pressure. Under-inflated tyres increase drag ? save ?75

Use air conditioning sparingly (but don?t open the windows!) ? save ?100

Look ahead. Anticipate hazards and decelerate smoothly ? save ?150

Slow down! Driving at 60mph uses 20% less fuel than at 70mph ? save ?200

Ask your employer about working from home one day per week ? save: ?300

Share the journey with someone else (www.carsharecornwall.com) ? save ?750

Next time you change your car, look for the label. All cars since 2001 are now banded from A to G for fuel efficiency just like washing machines and fridges.

For free, impartial advice on energy efficiency at home or on the move, call Cornwall?s Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012.

Too good to be true?

13 Jun, 2008

Are free insulation offers genuine?

Local residents have raised concerns about door-to-door salespeople offering grants for home insulation. Many claim to be selling totally free products, but is there a catch?

Julia Tibbett, manager of Cornwall?s Energy Efficiency Advice Centre says there really is free insulation available:

?The reality is that the utiltiy companies have agreed to spend millions of pounds to help cut our fuel bills. However, many customers have not come forward to claim their share of the money, so door-to-door ?salespeople? have been enlisted to help out.

?If you own your own home or rent from a private landlord, you are eligible for a grant towards the cost of insulating your loft or cavity walls. If anyone in the household is over 70 or receives certain benefits, a 100% grant is available.?

But Julia understands why many residents are wary of signing up to anything on the doorstep:

?We?ve all been told there?s no such thing as a free lunch, so people are right to check the facts before signing on the dotted line. The Energy Efficiency Advice Centre offers impartial advice on all the schemes available, including grants for new central heating systems.?

For free, impartial advice on household energy efficiency, waste, water, transport and renewables call the Cornwall EEAC on 0800 512012.

It pays to be green

10 Apr, 2008

Big prize for competition winner

A retired salvage diver from Port Isaac has won a year?s council tax simply by replying to an energy efficiency survey.

More about It pays to be green