In Hertfordshire in 2015, an estimated 2036 GWh of electricity were consumed in the residential sector, a reduction of 7% on 2005 levels. BEIS.
In Hertfordshire in 2015, an estimated 6308 GWh of gas were consumed in the residential sector, a reduction of 14% on 2005 levels - BEIS.
In 2015, the household sector consumed 28.8% of all fuel consumed in the UK. Only the transport sector consumed more - Digest of UK Energy Statistics, 2014.
70% of all domestic energy consumption is for space heating.
The Climate Change Act makes the UK the first country in the world to set legally binding targets for the reduction of carbon emissions.
The Climate Change Levy is a tax on the use of fossil fuels in the non-domestic sector and forms a key part of the UK Government’s Climate Change programme. Energy from renewables and approved Combined Heat and Power schemes is exempt from the Levy.
Hertfordshire’s forecast population growth over the 25 years from 2014 to 2039 is 276,400 a percentage increase of 24% (ONS 2014). That means electricity and gas consumption are also set to increase, making renewable energy generation more important.
Part L of building regulations deals with the energy efficiency of buildings. It requires minimum standards for fabric energy efficiency and sets a Target Emission Rate (TER) based upon the size, dimensions and use of the building. Standards within Part L have been gradually increased since 2002. At present a new building constructed to building regulations 2013 would show a 44% improvement in carbon performance over one built in 2002. UK government plans to adopt zero carbon homes standard in 2016 have been place under review, however the standard has been introduced within London.
Turning electrical equipment off at the mains rather than using the standby mode makes a difference - 8% of household energy is used by appliances on standby.
Turning down the thermostat by 1C can save 10% (£85) of a household energy bill whilst not negatively affecting the comfort of occupants.
The energy consumed each year by UK commerce and industry releases about 68 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.
The Climate Change Act aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through domestic and international action to 35% below 1990 levels by 2020, and at least 80% by 2050. UK Emissions were 38% below 1990 levels in 2015, but is not on track to meet its interim 2025 target of 50% reduction. To meet future carbon budgets and the 80% target for 2050, the UK will need to reduce emissions by at least 3% a year, from now on.
In 2017, the UK has 15 Nuclear reactors generating around 21% of its electricity. Approximately half of this capacity is expected to be retired by 2025. The Government has provisionally agreed terms on a deal to support construction of Hinkley Point C (HPC), a new nuclear power station that could generate around 7% of the UK’s electricity. Approximately 25% of grid electricity is supplied be renewable energy. April 22 2017 was the first full day the national grid did not use coal power to generate electricity since the 1880s.
Financial incentives for reducing energy consumption and generating renewable energy are continually emerging. Feed it Tariff (FiT) is available for electricity generating technologies that are renewable or ultralow carbon, and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is available for technologies producing low carbon heat. The level of incentive and the duration of payments depends upon the technology, its size and performance.