Simple steps could cut energy bills by 20%

HOUSEHOLDERS can cut 20% off their household bills immediately by taking simple steps like covering saucepans and unplugging electrical devices so they are not on stand-by, according to the EU.

They will be able to make even more savings in the future under an action plan to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and address climate change unveiled by the European Commission.

The plan aims to make all the big users of energy more efficient, including buildings, cars, electrical products and even electricity generating stations.

It concentrates on cutting down on all the energy that is wasted in homes and workplaces as well as ensuring new appliances use less energy.

But the good news for hard-pressed householders is that they can begin to make savings immediately cutting the average two-monthly €150 bill by €20 at least.

Even further savings can be made by replacing an old inefficient fridge for a new one and topping up insulation in your home.

The Action plan is to be implemented over the next six years and should lead to new standards for electrical appliances and labeling that tell customers exactly how much energy they use.

One area being considered is the stand-by buttons on almost every domestic appliance now. The plan says they should be redesigned and labelled, possibly with an EU Eco label, by 2009.

According to a recent German study many electronic devices use over half their total power consumption in standby mode. A British study said they now use 8% of all domestic energy used.

According to their estimates one million plugged-in mobile phone chargers, even when they are not charging phones, use enough energy to power over 2,500 homes a year.

Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs says Europe should aim to be the most energy efficient region of the world. And he warns that if Europe fails to make the necessary savings, they will pay dearly.

“Europeans need to save energy – and Europe wastes at least 20% of the energy it uses. By saving energy, Europe will help address climate change, as well as its rising consumption, and its dependence on fossil fuels imported from outside the Union’s borders.

“Energy efficiency is crucial for Europe: If we take action now, the direct cost of our energy consumption could be reduced by more than €100 billion annually by 2020; around 780 millions tonnes of CO2 will also be avoided yearly,” he said.

EU leaders, including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, asked the Commission to come up with an EU- wide plan to cut down on energy use. The plan lists ten priorities for action.

These include:

* Appliance and equipment labeling and minimum standards

* Building standards and creating passive houses that use alternative energy sources

* Making power generation and distribution more efficient

* More fuel efficient cars

* Taxing energy waste and giving tax breaks to efficiency.