Re: Banding of homes for energy efficiency

Keith,

I've also got degrees in engineering, etc. and work in climate research.
My energy bills are low, and the house is heated with renewables, but it's
built of cob and thatch, as are many older houses in Devon. Devon always
comes out low in surveys of double glazing, etc. the housing stock is
different, the climate rather milder too. Though it's frustrating that
any of that should matter - a point I'll return to.

The point I was trying to make about hosepipe bans is that people choose a
home to suit a real, or aspirational, lifestyle. So perhaps they enjoy
gardening, or want to feed their family with their own produce - or grow
trees to heat their house. Maybe schools, or crime, or access to the sea,
or views, or good walks are what matters - some might even want access to
rewarding work. Though in a diverse society I can see that choosing a
house based on an energy efficiency survey might suit a few people.

Back to water -
The public water supply comprises around 43% of all abstractions (average
from 1995 to 2001). Households are the largest users of the public water
supply, comprising 53% in value terms in 1997-98. (1) Industry accounts for
around 23% and water leakage for around 24%. Most water supply companies,
particularly in the south of England, are forecasting higher water demand
over the period to 2030 - driven mainly by strong demand from the household
sector. Population growth, new housing and trends in per capita consumption
are the main factors influencing growth in the household sector. (quoted
from
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/wfd/economics/pdf/usereport.pdf )

The same report suggests that power generation from conventional power
stations accounts for 33% of all water use. The existing UK nuclear power
stations are cooled by sea water - hopefully any future ones would use the
same approach.



Anyway, I don't feel the increasing expectation, perhaps even belief, that
society can be transformed by changes in domestic activity is very
positive. Focusing on fridge you own, the frequency at which you flush the
toilet, how long you spend in the shower, etc - is at odds with creating a
fair, prosperous, and happy society. There's still real work to be done,
lots of it. Any allowing idiots to believe they are making a greater
contribution because they live on vegetables, ride a bike and never wash
while others are driving large cars is plain stupid.

Michael Saunby


"Earth Blog" <earth-blog@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:i-2dnXFexPeW_gnZRVny3g@xxxxxxxxxxxx

Too right. If I were looking right now, whether or not the area is
subject to regular hospipe bans would be a bigger concern. But then
I've never even owned a house with cavity wall insulation (or the
walls), and right now don't have loft insulation, double glazing, or
central heating - that stuff is for wimps.


Well I think you've said it all with this comment. I find it very
difficult to see the link between your cynicism about the apparent
rigging of the rating system (which incidentally has generated nothing
from the environmental press - is this a real issue at all?) and your
lack of effort in making your house energy efficient.

And no, UK houses are about 99% brick built, so there is all the
opportunity we could imagine.

Keith
www.theearthblog.org
www.reduce3.com






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