In a new twist on the papparazzi set, the Times of London hired a firm to do thermal imaging of prominent “green” leaders’ properties in the 
United Kingdom. And, the result, in most cases, seems to be that these people are not practicing what they preach. While commentators (and the newspaper) highlight this as hypocrisy, this also suggests the value of the door-to-door, street-by-street comprehensive approach of the Extreme Makeover: UK Sustainability Home Edition. Let’s face facts, there are many barriers to taking steps to make ones like energy smart and to improve the energy efficiency of everyday aspects of one’s life. The draft UK plan to do a systematic, ‘house-by-house, street-by-street’ approach to improving energy efficiency is something that even many self-branded “environmentalists” might benefit from undergoing.
Thermal images of the residences of 10 high-profile green campaigners found that their heat loss was either worse or no better than that found in the average family home.
Now, the 10 included key government leaders.
The audit .. found Hilary Benn, the environment minister, Ed Miliband, the climate change minister, and David Cameron, the Tory leader, had the most energy efficient of the 10 properties.
Note, it is Ed Milibrand who has the lead for concept of doing a comprehensive program for improving UK housing energy efficiency.
The Times article was a gotcha event.
THEY may shout their green credentials from the rooftops, but some of Britain’s most prominent environmental champions are living in homes that produce up to half a ton of excess carbon dioxide a year.
Thermal images of the residences of 10 high-profile green campaigners found that their heat loss was either worse or no better than that found in the average family home.
Perhaps we can all be warned, as thermal imaging (along with other technologies) can give a window on our energy souls from the nearest public street or even an aircraft flying overhead (another UK ‘gotcha’ program).
An audit of properties, measuring heat loss, has revealed that Chris Martin, the pop star, Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, and Sir David Attenborough, the broadcaster, are among those who reside in homes that are “leaking” energy. Some lack even the most basic energy saving measures such as cavity wall insulation and double glazing.
Reality is that the world is complex and it is not necessarily ‘easy’ to do the right things when it comes to energy issues. Straight out, basic energy efficiency measures like increased insulation will pay for themselves rapidly. But, there is not a general understanding of the value (importance) of home energy inspectors to bring such fundamental gaps to light.
Well, the Times has brought these gaps to light for millions to read.
Simon Hughes, the Liberal Democrat energy and climate change spokesman, owned the least energy-efficient property. He bought his £150,000 flat in Southwark, south London, 25 years ago but has failed to fit it with any significant insulation. Only last week Hughes unveiled plans to make every home in Britain energy efficient within the next decade. He could start with his own flat.
Simon, time to use this as a learning moment both for yourself and the nation. Bring in an energy auditor, inviting The Times to join the audit, and then sit down to figure out what investments make sense to move your flat to 21st century standards.
According to IRT Surveys, which analysed the thermal images for The Sunday Times, an estimated 1,812 kilowatt hours of heat a year seeps out through the walls and windows. The extra heating needed to make up for this loss produces 471kg of CO2 This weekend Hughes said he was planning to move. “I’m conscious that the house does need some more work to be as well insulated as possible,” he said. “If I stay, it will have a full survey and anything that’s necessary. In theory it doesn’t waste much energy because for large parts of the day there’s nobody there.”
Simon, this is a bad answer. So, you’re going to buy yourself up to a more energy efficient property while passing along an energy lemon to someone else?
The Times, however, really is going far with that ‘gotcha’ moment element.
Attenborough, the veteran naturalist and broadcaster, has lived in the same Georgian villa in Richmond, southwest London, for 40 years. Despite the installation of new boilers and insulation of the roof, the windows remain single-glazed because the property is in a conservation area.
As a result, it loses 1,107kWh of energy a year. “I’m talking to people about solar panels,” Attenborough said. “The property is 200 years old so we are limited [in what we can do].”
A 200 year old property and the wastage, due to the conservation-protected single paned windows is 1,107 kilowatt hours per year? That is, dependent on specific prices of the heating system, about 100 pounds of annual cost. At some point, financial returns can be put into the discussion. How much might it cost to put in energy efficient windows that are acceptable by the local code? 10,000s of pounds seems an easy rough order of magnitude estimate. Attenborough insulated and installed a more energy effiicent heating system. He has, at least, begun to take actions to make the home energy efficient. If it would be 20,000 pounds for new windows, the payback period would be about 200 years. Hmmm … perhaps better if Attenborough bought better lights, high-efficiency refrigerator, bought renewable power, and used those 10,000s of pounds more effectively.
Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, who denounced flying as “a symptom of sin” two years ago, lives at the Old Deanery near St Paul’s Cathedral. The property loses 518kWh and burns 134kg of CO2 a year in extra heating. A spokesman for the bishop said the grade I listed building had recently undergone an environmental audit and further improvements would be made to reduce heat loss.
A ha. Gotcha. Oops, you already got yourself and are working to correct deficiencies? Oops, that is a lot less fun.
John Sauven, director of Greenpeace, admitted that he had also struggled to make his £500,000 London home more energy efficient because of its age. To compensate, he has installed draught-proofing and solar panels. He also drives an electric car and no longer flies when going on holiday. Sauven is considering taking out a second mortgage to install double glazing, which costs more in a conservation area.
Again, the gotcha is a lot less fun when the people are actually taking steps to live up to their ideals.
In other words, while the ‘thermal imaging’ provided a window on the situation, it was only a window and not a path toward a thorough understanding of the total energy systems of these homes.
Taking a step back
It is hard, for most of us, to actually understand how our own homes operate. Nearly all of us have things around us every day that we are unaware of, paths to improve the energy efficiency of the systems-of-systems that are our residences. If hit with a thermal drive by, would you survive the results?
If you’re unsure, consider (strongly) spending a few bucks to learn how to put your home on an energy diet and make energy CENTS from the home to the globe.