John Leech MP commits to "Save your 20%" Energy-Saving campaign

1.35.33pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 30th Oct 2006

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, is urging his constituents to join him in committing to reduce the amount of energy they consume on a daily basis. John Leech has joined the Energy Saving Trust's "Commit to Save Your 20%" campaign which is being launched as part of the 10th annual Energy Saving Week.

Domestic energy use accounts for almost 50% of carbon dioxide emissions but collectively we can make a real difference. If we all saved 20% of the energy we use every day we can help prevent climate change. Energy Saving Week 2006 from 23 to 29 October will highlight that consumers are able to make an enormous difference both to the environment and to their energy bills through everyday, "normal" actions.

John Leech has added his name to a Parliamentary motion welcoming Energy Saving Week and calling on fellow MPs to show leadership in their constituencies by supporting the Energy Saving Trust's call to action encouraging individuals to reduce their energy consumption and help tackle climate change.

John Leech MP said:

"As well as signing the Early Day Motion, I will be urging my family, friends, staff and constituents to be energy conscious throughout the week and beyond. We can help prevent climate change by all committing to save 20% of the energy we use every day. I am making changes to my day to day life to reduce carbon emissions, such as turning down my thermostat by 1%. Small changes such as this can add up to make a big difference."

There are a whole range of energy saving measures that we can all undertake, many of which are simple and "low cost, no cost". The following is a list of 10 commitments the Energy Saving Trust are encouraging householders to make:

· When making hot drinks only boil as much water as I need.

· Turn down my thermostat by 1° C.

· Switch off appliances and not leave them on stand-by.

· Install cavity wall insulation.

· Top up my loft insulation to 270mm.

· Replace 3 light bulbs with Energy Saving Recommended ones.

· Install a condensing boiler.

· Buy Energy Saving Recommended appliances.

· Wash my laundry at 30° C.

· Leave my car at home for short journeys.

For larger measures such as insulating your home or installing microgeneration the Energy Saving Trust provides impartial advice, grants and information to help you implement your commitment.

Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said:

"We are calling on the nation to undertake a series of daily habit changing actions during Energy Saving Week 2006. The aim is to galvanise the nation into breaking their bad energy habits one by one, which will not only help prevent the damaging effects of climate change but also will help reduce individual energy costs. To find out how you can commit to save your 20%, visit www.est.org.uk/commit "

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Notes to Editors:

For ideas on how to 'Save your 20%' during Energy Saving Week and throughout the year, call 0800 915 7722 or log onto: www.est.org.uk/commit