by Rachel Westwood.
How to save energy around the home
As we’re forecast more cold weather, it’s helpful to look again at energy saving tips and make sure we’re doing everything practical in our homes.
There are a range of tips at Money Saving Expert at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/energy-saving-tips/, including:
- turning down the thermostat on your boiler by one degree - from 21 to 20 for example.
- check that your hot water cylinder is properly insulated and that you’re only heating water when you need it.
- Turn down radiators in rooms that you don’t use.
- Make sure your boiler is serviced and running properly.
Another popular and effective tip is to use draught excluders - a rolled up old towel can be just effective as buying one, and there are lots of ideas for making them on line on You Tube and TikTok.
There is information on help available locally with energy and fuel at https://www.solihull.gov.uk/here2help/here2help-energy-and-fuel - some Solihull residents may be eligible for free boiler services.
Where are we Now? |
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We are proud to say that we have achieved the ‘Silver’ award level of the A’Rocha scheme. We intend to build on this and achieve Gold by recycling more, encouraging our church members and other churches to follow environmentally sensitive policies, and looking after our site (the churchyard) to promote ecological diversity and the wellbeing of the natural world. As part of this, we are thrilled to say that we were able to host the YCCN pilgrimage to the Glasgow Climate
Here’s our newly planted native (organic!) Yew hedge and our bee-friendly wildflower area which is showing good results!Summit!
| Recycling: |
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We have “recycling” boxes in the entrance to the Church and Hall where you can leave old mobile phones, stamps, spectacles and printer cartridges! These can often be sold to raise funds for the needy or passed to charities who can use them. We also can help with the recycling of many other things - contact us if you would like to help our Recycling efforts as we do need a new Coordinator!
We also try to feed the birds, encourage native wildflowers to grow in our grounds, and welcome people to use our space to relax - but please do so responsibly and do not leave litter! That’s what the bins and recycling boxes are for.