Little Gransden Energy Group (LGEG) - Nov 2012

Electricity supplies:  The Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership (SPEP) that was set up by South Cambridgeshire Council, are looking at the possibility of setting up a scheme for “collective switching” of electricity supplies.  A meeting was held to discuss the proposal at Coton Village Hall on 14^th November.  Any further developments on this scheme will be reported next month.

Energy saving lights:  Further to the article last month, it has been found that Homebase were selling LED bulbs at about £4 each under their brand name, whereas most other similar bulbs from recognised manufacturers are around £6 to £10.  Also a wide variety of LED and CFL bulbs can be bought by mail order at discounted prices from BLT Direct.  Their service has been used, and found to be excellent.  Their website is: www.bltdirect.com.  Telephone number: 01473 559 501.

Electricity monitors:  These are still available on a free loan, if you should like to find out when, why, who, and what, are using so much electricity in your house!  Please contact Trevor Brown (details below).  These monitors were supplied to Little Gransden by SPEP.

There was a great show put on at the EcoHub in Gamlingay on 20^th October.  Several green energy companies had stands there, as did wild life groups such as the RSPB and Wildlife Trust.  Talks were given by Siobhan Mellon of SPEP on the Green Deal, and by Dan Jones, who designed the EcoHub.  They plan to put on another show at the EcoHub next year.

Contacts:   Trevor Brown on telephone 677285,  email:  trevor.brown40@hotmail.co.uk.

Websites for reference:

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk – independent non-profit organisation that offers impartial advice on methods of energy saving.

www.decc.gov.uk – the Department of Energy and Climate Change website.

www.SPEP.net – South Cambs SPEP website.

Little Gransden Energy Group (LGEG) - Nov 2012

Little Gransden Energy Group (LGEG)                                                                 Nov 2012

Solar pv panels:  The “Which?” magazine carried out an evaluation on the cost effectiveness of installing solar pv panels, now that the Feed in Tariff (FiT) has been reduced so much.  They concluded that it is still financially beneficial, provided that the income from the FiT is paid back in to a Cash ISA to improve the financial return.

Electricity supplies:  “Which?” magazine also reminded us that the cost of electricity has doubled between 2004 and 2012, and we have just heard of further increases of around 6% later this year.  The only ways to contain the cost of electricity is to avoid wasting power, and installing more efficient lights and appliances.

Energy saving lights:  The European governments are forcing us to change from the inefficient tungsten bulbs (which give out more heat than light), by severely restricting the sale of tungsten bulbs.  Halogen lights are only 20% more efficient than tungsten bulbs.  Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) are more efficient, but disliked by many people, because of the flickering and dim start up.  The light bulbs of the future are undoubtedly LEDs, but these are quite expensive to buy.  However, LEDs use about 12% of the electricity compared to CFLs, last about 5 times longer, and instantly achieve full brightness.  Compared to tungsten bulbs, LEDs use about 2-3% of electricity, should last around 25 years.  Unfortunately, at present LEDs are only bright enough to replace tungsten bulbs up to 60 watts.

Lumens is the new measure of light output, and is applied to tungsten, CFL, and LED bulbs.  Wattage is the amount of electricity used by a bulb.

A 40 watt tungsten bulb may emit 300 to 500 lumens, equivalent to 7 to 11 watts for a CFL.

A 60 watt tungsten bulb may emit 500 to 800 lumens, equivalent to 8 to 15 watts for a CFL.

A 100 watt tungsten bulb may emit 900 to 1300 lumens, equivalent to 15 to 20 watts for a CFL.

Not all bulbs are equal:  “Which?” magazine found that some CFLs started quicker, and brighter, than others – GE 8 watt energy saving spiral bulbs were the quickest to start (470 lumens, equivalent to 40 watt tungsten).  Megaman Modo 8 watt stick bulb was nearly as quick as the GE bulb (420 lumens, equivalent to 40 watt tungsten).  Ikea’s Sparsam 15 watt was also rated highly for speed of illumination (820 lumens, equivalent to 100 watt tungsten).

“Best buy” LEDs include Philips MyVision 5W (250 lumens), Osram Parathorn Pro Classic A60 (650 lumens), Sylvania Toledo GLS A60 (250 lumens). 

I have successfully replaced a B&Q 11 watt CFL with a Philips Econic 7W warm white LED (350 lumens), which gave similar light output and immediate start up.

Tungsten bulbs give a warm white colour light, which is equivalent to 2700K colour temperature of light.  For comparison, candle light is 1850K, halogen bulbs produce light at 3500K, noon daylight is 5000K, blue sky, daylight lamps, and SAD light, is at 6500K to 7000K.

Contacts: 

            Trevor Brown on telephone 677285,  email:  trevor.brown40@hotmail.co.uk.

" The South Cambs Community Bus Service".

In April 2013, the local council will be withdrawing all local bus subsidies, we are therefore looking into the possibility of setting up " The South Cambs Community Bus Service".

We are carrying out a survey, and would appreciate your help in gathering data for your area.

Survey Link:- http://www.smart-survey.co.uk/v.asp?i=59917vixen

Regards

John Weedon