Working greener with you
1. Schools Energy Club
Thanks to 'energy teachers', school children in West Norfolk are able to learn about the impact of global warming and get tips on how to cut down on carbon emissions. The University of East Anglia's CRed (carbon reduction) programme hopes that 'pester power' will help to pass on to parents the importance of recycling waste and saving energy.
Norwich and Peterborough Building Society donated £15,000 to the CRed Schools Energy Club, in 2005, to fund the employment of a co-ordinator. The co-ordinator works closely with schools in West Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and South Lincolnshire.
2. Reduce your bills and raise money for charity
We've teamed up with Anglia Energy Services (AES) to help our customers reduce their energy bills whilst raising money for environmental charity causes. By switching to an AES supplier - an established, energy provider for either electricity, gas or both - N&P customers will enjoy
discounts on a range of home improvement services such as energy efficient boilers, cavity wall insulation etc.
A free home energy survey is available for every N&P customer who switches to an AES supplier with a small sum of money to be donated to Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT). In turn PECT will invest this money within the Anglia region towards various environmental initiatives. To join the AES scheme, or to obtain further information, please contact 0800 783 4761, or visit www.angliaenergyservices.co.uk.
3. Schools Competition
N&P has helped inspire some budding eco-friendly architects of the future. The society was one of the sponsors of a competition for primary and secondary school children in Norfolk to design a low carbon house.
The competition was run by the Community Carbon Reduction Programme (CRed), which is based at the University of East Anglia, and encouraged young architects in the region to research and develop their ideas in the form of a model of an eco-home. Judges were looking for ideas for energy conservation that were both practical and well-designed. Of the 11 entries, ideas ranged from wind turbines and solar panels, to loft and wall insulation and energy efficient boilers.
N&P’s chief executive, Matthew Bullock, was one of the judges in the final of the competition which was held at the end of March. The two overall winners were the Avenue Middle School in Norwich and the Ethel Tipple Special School in King’s Lynn. Each house design entry received a prize for making it to the final. While presenting the awards, Matthew praised the high standard of the design. He commented how important it was to see an improvement in the design of houses in order to make them more energy efficient and therefore combat climate change.
A pilot version of this competition was run in 2004 for pupils from Norwich’s Costessey High School. Pupils were given the opportunity to build model houses that were assessed for their energy efficiency and low carbon credentials. Prizes were awarded by the then Education Secretary, Charles Clarke MP, to the designers of the best houses in different categories.
4. Home Energy Check
N&P is working with the Energy Saving Trust to encourage customers and staff to contact the Energy Saving Trust to get free, impartial advice on energy saving ideas, suppliers of energy saving products and renewable energy options.
If you're interested in finding out more about how you can become more energy efficient or would like to carry out a free home energy check, contact the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre Anglia on 0800 512 012 or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.
