An introductory collection on energy measurement, efficiency, unnecessary consumption and environmental policy. These guides provide a starting point for understanding how energy use relates to wider environmental questions.
Measuring energy
What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?
Understand the units used to measure energy and why a quantity of energy does not have one fixed carbon footprint.
Heating and efficiency
Why winter energy bills are usually higher
Explore heat loss, heating demand and the reasons buildings use more energy in colder weather.
Five household energy myths
Examine common heating and efficiency assumptions, including situations where simple rules can mislead.
Avoidable electricity use
Eight vampire appliances using electricity in your home
Learn about standby consumption and the limits of switching equipment off.
Business energy shutdown checklist for holiday closures
Explore unnecessary electricity use in workplaces and the importance of protecting essential equipment and services.
Environmental policy
Climate Change Levy explained
An introduction to a tax intended to encourage efficient non-domestic energy use. CCL is not itself a measurement of emissions.
Putting the guides in context
Much of this collection explains energy use and costs. It is not yet a complete guide to emissions, electricity generation or net zero. Reducing expenditure does not, by itself, demonstrate an environmental improvement.
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