Smart energy homes
In Europe, homes and businesses use more energy than any other sector, including transport
Heating, lighting and power appliances - from computers and gaming consoles to white goods - are inefficient to the extent that valuable energy is being wasted. What can we do to smarten up our homes?
Twenty-five per cent of the UK's total electricity is used to power lighting and appliances in the home. If we do nothing this figure is predicted to rise by 20 per cent by 2020 as the number of electrical products in our homes grows. This is unacceptable. The UK, along with the rest of Europe, is committed to tackling climate change by reducing CO2 emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 - 85 per cent of which is caused by burning fossil fuels for energy. And with gas and oil reserves dwindling, Europe is faced with the challenge of reducing any future dependence on imported fuels and being able to deliver secure, clean and affordable energy. Against this scenario the concept of the Smart Energy Home (SEH) was born.
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