Energy saving and

behaviour

Easy to adopt in your

household

Save both heat and

electricity

Acquire higher self-

sufficiency by

lowering your energy

use

Many different

options available and

always something

can be improved

Network “Communities of a sustainable Europe” (CoSE)

International network of RURAL villages and URBAN neighborhoods for bottom-up approach

For more information, see: http://communities-of-sustainable.eu/

Smart meter: making your energy use transparant

LED light bulb

Energy saving and behaviour, what is it?

Increasing the share of renewable energy in relation to energy derived from fossil

fuels is vital for the transition towards more sustainable energy production.

However, reducing the energy need through behavioural change and energy

efficiency measures are of equal importance for this transition. Behavioural change

and energy efficiency measures have the opportunity to decrease our dependency

on energy exporting countries and energy corporations, avoid the adverse impact

on the climate and environment and provide us with financial advantages.

Energy saving and behaviour

Technical aspects (preconditions / opportunities)

Energy used for heating and warm water often constitutes the largest part of the energy consumed by end-users,

especially individual households. Hence energy efficient heating and different methods for insulating buildings can

significantly contribute to energy savings.

Heat flows from warm areas towards colder areas; it can thus escape in various directions. As a consequence,

different types of insulation can be applied in the building environment to reduce or prevent heat losses:

Heat rises and therefore a significant share of energy savings can be reached through insulating the roof.

Some estimate that twenty five per cent of the heat is lost through the roof. Loft insulation can be used for

insulating roofs and in general has a lifespan of at least 40 years.

Heat also escapes through the walls. Buildings that lack insulated walls are estimated to loose around thirty

per cent of their heat through the walls. Cavity wall insulation can be used to reduce the amount of heat

escaping through the walls, but get advice since it might interfere with air circulation and cause damp in

some houses.

All buildings lose heat through their windows. Placing energy-efficient glazing can reduce the amount of heat

lost through windows. Double or triple glazing, secondary glazing or heavy curtains assist in diminishing heat

losses through windows.

Although heat rises, some energy is lost through the floor. Insulating the floor therefore will help to save

about ten per cent as well.

Aside from insulating the roof, walls, floor and/or windows, there are other ways to save energy used for heating

your home or business:

Lowering the temperature by turning down the thermostat with one or more degrees, turning it down an hour

before going to bed and avoid heating rooms that are not used will drastically contribute to save energy. To

keep warm and/or help yourself adjust to a lower temperature at home, wear warm clothing.

Placing radiator reflection foil can easily be done yourself. Since radiators are often situated near the wall,

placing radiator reflection foil prevent heat losses into the walls.

Prevent draught by sealing air leaks. Especially in older buildings, the biggest leaks are usually found in the

basement and attic and around doors and windows.

In addition to preventing heat losses and more efficient heating, there are various ways to save electricity. Taking

into account the following advices allows saving a substantial amount of electricity:

Choose energy efficient devices. Electrical appliances account for a substantial share of electricity

consumption in households and businesses. Besides household appliances like televisions, digital TV

recorders, DVD players, also kitchen and office appliances (such as refrigerators, washing machines,

computers, printers, modems, routers and monitors) are common appliances that constitute a major share of

the electricity required by households or businesses.

Find out which devices consume a lot of energy. In general, the following luxury goods are among the

devices known for their high energy consumption: water bed, air conditioner, aquarium, tumble drier, large

television screens, electrical heating devices. If you know which devices use most energy, solutions can be

found for these devices in particular. For example: if you have a room (or place in the garden/balcony) on

which it is possible to dry your laundry, consider not buying or not using a tumble drier for it and save up to

seven per cent of your energy bill.

Unplug your devices from the socket. Most appliances not only demand electricity while they are active, but

also use electricity during standby or when not in use.

Change to LED lighting. A standard household spends about eight per cent of its electricity bill on lighting.

Changing behaviour by switching lights off in empty rooms and replacing inefficient lighting bulbs with

efficient lighting methods like LED lighting will drastically lower the electricity used for lighting.

Due to liberalised energy markets, it is possible to choose between various energy suppliers. For a household, it

can be worthwhile (both in economic as in ecological sense) to change from energy supplier: this may save the

environment and/or save costs.

Scale

No relevant data or information on European level available.

Benefits for the community

Costs (ecological, social, economic)

The use of fossil fuels is unsustainable, meaning that it is a finite resource. Furthermore, the extraction of fossil

fuels causes environmental damage, accidents during transportation of fossil fuels regularly results in large-scale

degradation as well as the air pollution caused by burning it. Besides this, end-users and society are often

dependent on large oil companies and energy exporting countries. Oil has been the reason for many inter

continental conflicts and thus causes social distress. Finally, in general a typical household spends about a

monthly salary on its energy bill per year. Saving energy by changing behaviour can account for a substantial

reduction of these costs.

Revenues (ecological, social, economic)

Saving energy is acknowledged as the best option for the EU to meet its climate targets in a fast, cost- effective

way:

Citizens can have advantage in the form of lower energy bills, less dependency on large energy

corporations and improved public health due to better air quality.

The local economy may benefit through new local jobs, improved security of supply and greater economic

competitiveness. The financial crisis might be a good imperative to create greener, more efficient recovery

and growth.

The European Union can meet its climate objectives: according to the International Energy Agency energy

efficiency measures account for two-thirds of the reduction by 2020.

Social aspects (cohesion)

In addition to economical and environmental benefits, saving energy might also generate social merits:

Increased energy security

Europe currently imports around fifty per cent of its energy. If no further action is taken it is predicted to rise

to seventy per cent in the coming 20 years. Consuming less energy is therefore critical to assure the EU’s

economic stability and prosperity.

Oil and natural gas prices are rising and inherently volatile. If energy is generated in a local, renewable way,

Europe is less dependent on its imports and consequentially gains from more secure energy supply and

less volatile energy prices since renewable energy is always available.

Improved quality of life

Improved energy efficiency lowers energy bills for consumers, reduces fuel poverty and offers substantial

benefits in terms of health and quality of life.

Through collectively generating renewable energy, saving energy and/or becoming more energy efficient

enhance the social cohesion within the (local) community.

Where has it been implemented?

Examples CoSE communities

Insulation In most communities insulation is part of the community plan for more

sustainable energy use. And many communities have a large share of

old, poorly insulated houses. There are therefore large improvements

possible. Insulation contributes greatly to energy efficiency.

De Stoere Houtman, the Netherlands, has renovated and insulated 66

apartments and some houses. It plans to continue these efforts throughout the community, especially concerning

roof and floor insulation.

In Beckerich, Luxemburg, most houses have double glazing but generally lack wall insulation.

Many houses in Ashton Hayes have cavity walls including insulation. Also double glazing and even loft-insulation

are widespread. Insulation is uncommon in older, solid-wall houses.

In Reda, Poland, most houses are insulated with styrofoam and have double glazing (a legal obligation).

In Measolle, France, all the (recently built) houses have super performing double glazing and are very well

insulated. The community has mostly used natural materials for insulation, like straw, for the walls, floor and roofs.

Behavioural change In Ashton Hayes behavioural change has been the major contributor to a twenty per cent reduction of household

CO2 emissions since 2006. The community is confident that further reduction can be achieved through behavioural

changes.

In Ommerkanaal, the Netherlands, schoolchildren are taught about energy use and energy saving strategies. They

have also talked about LED-lighting at an information evening. The community is also working on energy scans for

all the houses. The municipality provides subsidies for energy saving systems.

The community of Strem will install a community-energy-meter to show how much energy is used in the village.

This serves as a reminder of the benefit of saving energy and is the kick-off of more saving-energy campaigns.

Beckerich has had electricity saving campaigns. Campaigns for heating and green electricity are planned.

Success and Fail Factors for implementation

Energy efficient devices usually require higher investments than energy inefficient devices. This also holds for

investments in regard to insulation. Generally, the return on such investments turns out positive in the long run,

which is important to consider.

Changing behaviour is a process and can be difficult: it is possibly different from what is socially accepted or

considered ‘normal’. Concepts like routines, path dependence and sociotechnical systems explain why existing

patterns persist even when they are problematic. Individuals should be convinced through their own actions

otherwise actual change in behaviour is challenged.

According to scientific literature several stages should be completed in order to arrive at successful behavioural

change:

1) Pre-contemplation: becoming aware of a problem and accepting it. People are not thinking about changing

because they do not see their behaviour as a problem.

2) Contemplation: deep, reflective thought.

3) Preparation or determination: making a commitment to change.

4) Action: If people have the ability to change and start taking steps to change their behaviour.

5) Maintenance of the changed behaviour.

6) Transcendence: the bad habit is no longer part of your life, returning to your previous behaviour is

perceived as abnormal, weird or atypical.

How to get started?

European legislation

The European Commission (EC) sets a target of 20 per cent renewables within the EU by 2020. Renewables

include wind, solar, hydroelectric and tidal power as well as geothermal energy and biomass. Increasing the share

of renewables in the EU will contribute in cutting down greenhouse emissions and make it less dependent on

imported energy. To reach this ambitious goal the EC has presented the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive.

Besides setting a target, the Directive also improves the legal framework for promoting renewable electricity,

requires national action plans that establish pathways for the development of renewable energy sources including

bioenergy, creates cooperation mechanisms to help achieve the targets cost effectively and establishes the

sustainability criteria for biofuels.

Each Member State has a national target, which differs between them. Annex I of the 2009 Renewable Energy

Directive shows the various national targets. An annual report on the progress of each Member State is presented

on the website of the EC. These reports include various aspects such as the current share of renewables, updates

on national legislation, all support measures taken, system of guarantees of origin, administrative procedures and

many other relevant national measures. Under further reading a link to the national reports can be found.

In addition to the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, the EC has adopted the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive

(EED). This Directive entails the following:

The EED will require EU member states to establish a long-term strategy for investment in the renovation of

residential and commercial buildings with the aim of improving their energy efficiency. Public bodies

specifically will be required to lead by example in ensuring that 3% of the total floor areas of heated or

cooled buildings owned by central government are renovated each year to meet minimum energy

performance requirements (or take other cost-effective measures in other eligible buildings), and that

inventories of such buildings are set up.

Where appropriate, member states will be required to take measures to remove regulatory and non-

regulatory barriers to energy efficiency. These can include providing incentives, repealing or amending legal

or regulatory provisions, or adopting efficiency guidelines. Member states will also be required to facilitate

the establishment of financing facilities, or use of existing ones, for energy efficiency improvement

measures.

Other European legislation that might be useful to consider are the WEEE, which regulates the disposal of waste

electrical and electronic equipment, and the 2010 Directive on energy labelling, which enables end-users to make

an elaborate decision based on the energy efficiency the purchased service or good.

Local knowledge (CoSE partners)

The majority of the CoSE partner communities are working on saving

energy and/or changing behaviour and can be contacted for sharing

knowledge. Here are some examples of the projects these

communities are working on:

Bocs (Hungary) has a midterm goal to complete an Information-Centre

-of-View by 2012. This centre will demonstrate and educate people on

how to manage energy consumption in their houses as well as internal

air quality (insulation and ventilation).

Bukkaranyos (Hungary) also has an information project called the

'Blacon Energy Saving House'. This project embarks with insulated

homes.

De Stoere Houtman (Netherlands) aims to open an Eco-House on the short-term with examples on how to save

energy at home. Furthermore, there are programmes for insulation and v

entilation of built environment, production of green energy and clean transport.

Duurzaam Ommerkanaal (Netherlands) focuses on the development of a teaching programme to ensure that

children will adapt their behaviour at home and in future.

Beckerich (Luxemburg) has set several short-term goals, which aim to reduce CO2 emissions, a mobility project

focusing on electric cars and car sharing and develop around 30-40 low energy social houses. Furthermore, there

are electricity saving campaigns and there will be similar campaigns for heating and campaigns to use green

electricity.

Finding partners (co-funding)

Insulation plans: Bocs, Hungary

Bakkaranyos has made an elaborate plan for 15 new, well-insulated houses.

As part of a regional initiative, an NGO focused on energy saving and renewable energy is financing an inventory

on the possibilities for a more sustainable energy supply in the community of Reda, Poland. Part of the study is

regular contact with residents.

Several communities wish to have a community car, running on sustainable energy produced by the community.

The car might refrain people from buying (a second) one themselves. (Beckerich, Bocs, Bukkaranyos,

Ommerkanaal, Ashton Hayes, Measolle)

The community of De Stoere Houtman, the Netherlands, has plans to open an ‘Eco-house’ where examples for

energy saving are at display. In addition the have plans to set up Eco-teams-of-Private-Households.

In Beckerich 30 to 40 energy-efficient houses will be built in the social houses range. They can make use of local

subisidies for energy saving systems such as insulation.

Also the Strem community can make use of municipal subsidies for insulation of the built environment.

Building a strategy and plan

It is not easy to change patterns of energy use. Programmes to reduce energy consumption only capture a small

share of the potential. Providing people with information does not necessarily encourage them to change their

behaviour. This also holds for changing behaviour in relation to energy consumption. Through taking action,

providing feedback and sharing results individuals can be convinced to change their behaviour.

Further reading

European legislation

Homepage: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/targets_en.htm

Progress reports: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/electricity_en.htm

2009 Renewable Energy Directive: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?

uri=OJ:L:2009:140:0016:01:EN:HTML

Information on the 2010 Directive on energy labelling: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/labelling/

labelling_en.htm

2012 WEEE Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee/legis_en.htm

2012 Energy Efficiency Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/eed/eed_en.htm

Summary of legislations: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/energy/index_en.htm

Additional information on European legislation:

http://www.eeb.org/index.cfm/activities/climate-energy/energy-policy/

Practical tips and clips showing how to save energy:

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Take-action/Improve-your-home/Getting-started/Videos-on-basic-

home-improvements

http://energy.gov/public-services/homes/home-weatherization/insulation

http://www.green-energy-efficient-homes.com/energy-saving-benefit.html

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/top-5-reasons-energy-efficiency-incredibly-exciting-

20090310

Additional information on behavioural change:

http://www.energychange.info

Kern, M.F. (2008) Stages of Change Model. Derived October 25th 2011, from: http://

www.addictioninfo.org/articles/11/1/Stages-of-Change-Model/Page1.html

Contact: Jaap Huurman

De Stoere Houtman De Houtmanstraat 18

6826PJ Arnhem Netherlands

+31.26.3629962 jaaphuurman@hotmail.com

Network “Communities of a sustainable Europe” (CoSE)

International network of RURAL villages and URBAN

neighborhoods for bottom-up approach

An initiative of the communities of:

Ashton Hayes (village in Cheshire-West, United Kingdom)

Beckerich (municipality-village in Luxemburg

Betlejem (quarter of Reda, near Gdansk, in Poland

Bӧcs and Bükkaranyos (municipality-villages in Bükk-Mak-Miskolc-Region,

Hungary)

De Stoere Houtman (quarter of Arnhem, the Netherlands)

Measolle (village in France)

Ommerkanaal (village of Overijssel, the Netherlands)

Strem (municipality-village in Ӧko-Energie-Bürgerland, Austria)

Other communities invited into the network:

Blacon (quarter of Chester, United Kingdom

Feldheim (invited, village of Treuenbrietzen, Germany)

Frankenwald (invited, village near Hof, Germany)

Jühnde ( invited, independent village in Germany)

Schönau (Schwarzwald, Germany)

Vauban (quarter of Freiburg, Germany)

For more information, see: http://communities-of-sustainable.eu/

Published: March 2013