Warwickshire News Mine

Switch it Off 2008 got underway on Monday and culminates tonight with the Big Switch Off where Central Networks will be monitoring just how well local people can do in pushing energy use down.

Already this week there have been a host of activities around Warwickshire, with giveaways and promotions in Nuneaton, Bedworth, Rugby, Leamington and Stratford.

Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Switch it Off is capturing the imagination of more and more people each year. It’s simple message of turning off appliances not in use, and particularly not leaving items on standby is already saving some householders hundreds of pounds a year.

“We are once again working with our partner authorities in Coventry and Worcestershire this year, plus the Warwickshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre and Central Networks, but I’m also delighted that organisations such as the Heart of England Coop and Chamber of Commerce have come on board.

“And of course this year we have the new fun element where restaurants and bars around Warwickshire are holding candlelit meal deals to encourage householders to head out for a ‘low energy’ meal, and turn off at home.”

If businesses are interested in joining the Switch it Off candlelit meal event, they should visit http://www.enjoywarwickshire.com for more information.

The aim of Switch it Off is to get people to think about doing the little things in their home to save energy, little things which can then have a huge impact on bills.

Videos, set-top boxes, televisions and even the clocks on microwaves are using surprisingly high amounts of power everyday in our homes. The average family spend on electricity can be slashed by 25 per cent by switching off.

According to the Energy Saving Trust nationally 71 per cent of people regularly leave items on stand by in their homes, and 65 per cent of people leave lights on in rooms they are not using.

If everyone in Warwickshire, Coventry and Worcestershire stopped leaving appliances on stand by it would prevent 86,322 tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere through wasted electricity and save more than £20m (enough to pay the annual electricity bill for 71,953 homes).

For more information on taking steps to `Switch it off’ visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/switchitoff or call the energy advice hotline on 0800 512012. And for the latest offers from bars and restaurants taking part in the candlelit meal promotion see http://www.enjoywarwickshire.com

Link to WCC