Council achieves 17.8% reduction in gas consumption at Coleford office in trial
As first reported in March 2020, the Council has undertaken a trial on its gas central heating system to improve its energy efficiency and lower the associated carbon emissions. EndoTherm, a gas saving central heating additive, was piloted by the council for two months from 3rd March 2020.
The additive is developed and manufactured in the UK, 100% organic, has a carbon payback period of 1 day and is verified by the Energy Saving Trust. The additive works by improving the heat transfer rate and efficiency of a heating system which results in rooms reaching determined temperature quicker and staying warmer for longer. Ultimately meaning that less gas is consumed to maintain thermostatically set temperature.
Over the pilot period the addition of EndoTherm to the council’s office building’s central heating system showed a 17.8% reduction in gas consumption. This is a saving of 11,838 kWh and a carbon reduction of 2,190kg CO2e. Gas savings made during the trial equate to a financial saving of £355.14 and reflect a payback period of less than 9 months. These carbon savings are equal to 20,769 miles driven by an average passenger car.
In 2018/19 carbon emissions from the council’s gas consumption equated to approximately 5% (63,754kg) of the council’s total emissions. EndoTherm stays active within a heating system for a minimum of 5 years and we expect to see approximately 94,900kg CO2e saving during this time - the equivalent weight of about 15 male African elephants, along with £15,389 in financial savings.
It is important to recognise that a period of the trial fell during the COVID-19 quarantine of Spring 2020. Thermostatic radiator values were lowered to no.2 throughout the Coleford Office on 16th April in response to the lower occupancy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and thus gas consumption was further reduced from this period. A comparison of the predicted gas consumption (82,651kWh) and actual gas consumption (65,063kWh) over the two-month pilot period showed a 21.3% reduction in gas consumption (a difference of 17,588kWh). However, the data shared here has been corrected to only show the reduced consumption (17.8%) achieved up to 16th April (i.e. before alterations were made to the heating system). Previous trials at other local authorities such as Middlesborough Council and a North East based council resulted in 20% and 12% savings, respectively.
Cllr Chris McFarling, portfolio holder for the Climate Emergency said: “This is one simple, effective change which has resulted in an immediate effect in lowering our emissions. In line with the energy hierarchy the council is working to reduce energy demand through behaviour change and improve the efficiency of heating systems through trials such as this. In July 2020 the council also undertook a full energy audit of its office building to investigate further opportunities for energy efficiency measures. The next step is to source the remainder of our energy from low carbon and renewable sources.”
The Council remains keen to work collaboratively with the community, Town and Parish Councils and other partners to tackle the climate emergency and will continue to keep everyone informed about its progress.
For further information and ‘Top Tips’ on how to lower your carbon footprint view the Council’s climate change webpage: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/environment/climate-action/climate-action-you-can-take/