Warwickshire News Mine

In the run-up to Switch It Off Week (November 9 - 13) library staff have joined forces with environmental colleagues at Warwickshire County Council to flag up some easy measures for avoiding waste and saving cash.

“The old saying ‘look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves’ was never more relevant,” said Liz Wood, Service Improvement Manager for Warwickshire Libraries.

Cllr Alan Cockburn, the county council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Most of us could reduce our electricity consumption and make a significant cost saving by getting into the habit of switch unnecessary lights and appliances off, particularly overnight.

"We need to be more aware of the energy our gadgets and appliances are using.”

And a pilot at Stratford library means members can borrow an energy monitor, for free, to find out just how much electricity they are using. The easy-to-use monitors come with a full set of instructions and can measure consumption in either units or pence.

Five wireless monitors have been supplied to Stratford Library, for free loans, to help people reduce their energy consumption and save money at the same time.

Tanya Butchers, Divisional Library Manager, said the idea of loaning out free energy monitors was being tested out in south Warwickshire first.

“These monitors can be used anywhere in the home and make it easy for library members to work out how much extra energy their electrical gadgets and appliances are using,” said Tanya. “And, trust me, it’s quite an eye-opener.”

More information is available at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/switchitoff

DID YOU KNOW?
Switching a computer monitor off overnight could save enough electricity to microwave six dinners.Leaving a games console on 24 hours a day could cost around £39 a year.

Leaving a satellite, freeview or cable box on around the clock costs about £35 a year.Using a tumble drier only twice a week to dry a 6kg load costs about £35 a year.

Link to WCC