0:00:28 > 0:00:34To help them,
0:00:34 > 0:00:46and your energy bill You could replace all of them,
0:00:50 > 0:00:57be difficult to get used to.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00It's not just a TV.
0:01:00 > 0:01:07Most of us want to save money and sub-woofer and everything else.
0:01:07 > 0:01:12in just three weeks?
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Energy Saving Challenge.
0:01:30 > 0:01:38This is the coastal town
0:01:38 > 0:01:53we're going to follow six families Over the next three weeks,
0:02:01 > 0:02:09sustainability director from Robert are Dr Alan Owen,
0:02:09 > 0:02:17who lives completely off grid on ..and energy expert Lucy Conway,
0:02:17 > 0:02:37The challenge is to try
0:02:37 > 0:02:41suspect so. We don't skimp.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47the children and raising awareness.
0:02:47 > 0:03:00We can take the guesswork All their fault.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05They are all at your houses in this street.
0:03:05 > 0:03:12No, not particularly. Why is that?
0:03:25 > 0:03:34we've installed energy monitors As part of this challenge,
0:03:34 > 0:03:38for the past couple of weeks.
0:03:40 > 0:03:48consumed, either electricity or gas, of all the energy that is being
0:03:48 > 0:03:55mapping everybody's energy into a spreadsheet, and I've been
0:03:56 > 0:04:15The least greedy when it comes to their energy?
0:04:19 > 0:04:26So, 30%, guys.
0:04:26 > 0:04:32Lucy, thank you for joining us.
0:04:32 > 0:04:55That's right. We generate which is totally off grid, isn't it?
0:04:55 > 0:05:10Let's have a look at what You've got that DVD, haven't you?
0:05:10 > 0:05:18How proud are you of your fridge,
0:05:18 > 0:05:43There's a beer fridge
0:05:43 > 0:05:48Norman lives with his wife Alison
0:05:48 > 0:05:57It's probably unnecessary
0:05:57 > 0:06:02Shall we have a look
0:06:25 > 0:07:03Which is one of my bugbears, I do like a lamp on of a daytime.
0:07:35 > 0:07:46No TVs, no iPods, no phones.
0:07:46 > 0:07:57Getting their energy use down
0:07:57 > 0:08:15OK, everybody. This is
0:08:31 > 0:10:04but with a very serious message, Obviously, this is a fun challenge,
0:10:04 > 0:10:24You get totally bored, on our iPods, but the power's gone.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29for the blackout than others.
0:10:29 > 0:10:35so that they work. Like this.
0:10:43 > 0:10:50The dog that was really annoying As you can hear.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01we'll have to wrap up.
0:11:01 > 0:11:09and get ready for bed?
0:11:17 > 0:11:21effects of a night without power.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25to a cold house this morning.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29when we come down in the morning,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32was it?
0:11:34 > 0:11:41cold. I miss having warm breakfasts.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48this morning than it usually is.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52music goes on, or the television,
0:11:54 > 0:11:58When I got up this morning,
0:11:58 > 0:12:02That was an experience.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04with the house being this cold
0:12:04 > 0:12:08I've got layers on today.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15getting the power back on,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Watch a bit of TV.
0:12:32 > 0:12:47To find out, I'm sending are there more inventive solutions?
0:12:47 > 0:12:55It's these houses
0:13:08 > 0:13:42of roughly what you spend Does anyone here have an idea
0:13:42 > 0:13:49Rosie, one of the residents, is
0:13:52 > 0:14:41Let me introduce you to our lovely
0:14:41 > 0:14:43but not a lot.
0:14:47 > 0:14:55So, we need to find out
0:14:58 > 0:15:01this low-cost rental housing.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07as much as you can towards the sun,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10heating the house.
0:15:13 > 0:15:22And the remainder of the heat draught-free houses.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27by Rosie, her three girls
0:15:30 > 0:15:41Well, Rosie, if you're brave enough a heavenly idea. Brilliant.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45solar panels to heat her water.
0:15:48 > 0:15:57This also acts as if there's no sun.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00that's already there.
0:16:02 > 0:16:13Inside Rosie's house, an excellent source of heat.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17So, all the kids...
0:16:17 > 0:16:22heat generators.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25are going to run upstairs.
0:16:32 > 0:16:38The children are running
0:16:38 > 0:16:41the temperature of the house.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46so the heat doesn't escape.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13or indeed, anyone can do
0:17:13 > 0:17:16more energy-efficient?
0:17:16 > 0:17:26So this must be the first approach, in the roof, and all that.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31energy with renewable energy. Right.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35goes before energy creation.
0:17:35 > 0:17:41And down the stairs,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47the temperature was 20 degrees.
0:17:47 > 0:17:55I can now reveal that
0:17:56 > 0:18:01absolutely nothing. Wow!
0:18:01 > 0:18:05LAUGHTER AND CHAT
0:18:07 > 0:18:11into these vents in the ceiling.
0:18:11 > 0:18:18a heat recovery system.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21is used to heat up
0:18:21 > 0:18:24coming in from outside.
0:18:28 > 0:18:34into every room in the house, then be circulated
0:18:34 > 0:18:38long after we've gone,
0:18:38 > 0:18:42cracks and gaps in the walls.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49taking home from this trip?
0:18:49 > 0:18:53The price was amazing.
0:18:53 > 0:19:00and our energy bill was like ?2,500.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06fancy gadgets
0:19:09 > 0:19:17the residents will need to find out their consumption by 30%,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30with energy technician Gordon.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35Gordon's job is diagnosing
0:19:35 > 0:19:46These days, all new builds must
0:19:46 > 0:19:51poorly insulated and a bit draughty.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57are happy with their house.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00any problems with heat loss.
0:20:00 > 0:20:17Gaps? That's... That's impossible.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22To find out if Bill's right, we're
0:20:26 > 0:20:29the thermal-imaging test.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33Gordon's taping up the vents,
0:20:33 > 0:20:51and he's also those sorts of things,
0:20:51 > 0:20:56I see. OK.
0:20:56 > 0:21:05How this works is that
0:21:05 > 0:21:13They've had the heating
0:21:13 > 0:21:30There is some slight leakage
0:21:59 > 0:22:02with theatrical smoke.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07going to come out most.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13be able to see the smoke escaping.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23so that's coming out through...
0:22:24 > 0:22:28How's it getting up into the eaves?
0:22:28 > 0:22:31gaps and cracks in the structure,
0:22:31 > 0:22:34from there, the cavity wall,
0:22:34 > 0:22:40and all that air roof spaces and vents in the wall,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42for the cost of probably
0:22:42 > 0:22:46you could save quite a lot,
0:22:46 > 0:22:51and ?300 a year in gas.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53you are going to have
0:22:57 > 0:23:00the thermal-imaging camera
0:23:07 > 0:23:10I think it's good for the house
0:23:10 > 0:23:17ventilation through the walls.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20have been less resistant,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27insulation was the way to go.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33round the house insulating things,
0:23:38 > 0:23:40draught-proofing.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45the lowest energy users,
0:23:45 > 0:23:52for them to make further cuts.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55watching the energy monitors
0:23:55 > 0:24:01are making are having any impact.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Jill and Peter,
0:24:05 > 0:24:09they've spent since they got up.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14of electricity today.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27done three-quarters of a day yet.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31I've been waiting for this for ages.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33He likes a pot.
0:24:33 > 0:24:40for a pot. You don't.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45more than half the money we spend
0:24:45 > 0:24:50our homes and providing hot water.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52You're bad for heating.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56HE LAUGHS
0:24:57 > 0:25:01to harness the power of the sun.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05on the east coast of Scotland.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08it's two degrees outside.
0:25:08 > 0:25:16much of an impact here?
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Marty Jopson to the street
0:25:20 > 0:25:23a little bit of sun
0:25:30 > 0:25:33is build a solar air heater,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37for Angela and Scott's house,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Scott would like it
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Is that right?
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Yes, says Angela.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46your cans on the table.
0:25:50 > 0:25:56into a long tube of cans.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59is knock holes in the bottom.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09get rid of that.
0:26:10 > 0:26:18and we can make a long tube.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22a little while to dry,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26because it has to be...
0:26:26 > 0:26:29to be completely matte black
0:26:29 > 0:26:31as much heat as possible.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34I will lift this off carefully...
0:26:44 > 0:26:47I'll show you what we've got inside?
0:26:50 > 0:26:54I prepared earlier.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02from the sun
0:27:02 > 0:27:12The air is going through by these metal tubes.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16come back into your house.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Is it going to work?
0:27:33 > 0:27:36You hope so! Yes, I hope so too.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41got the hot sunshine on your house?
0:27:42 > 0:27:45isn't painted black.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51moves in the day?
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Yes. And let's go.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04so...I'm hopeful.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06by Katrina and the Waves
0:28:11 > 0:28:14come out of the pipe.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17so any heat we gather
0:28:21 > 0:28:25is currently six degrees.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30in here has got to?
0:28:40 > 0:28:42up here, right at the top.
0:28:42 > 0:28:48So, I'm going to send It's ferociously hot up here.
0:28:50 > 0:28:56the temperature to us.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00It's really hot, girls.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06have you got inside now?
0:29:18 > 0:29:27and it's working a lot better This is great, yeah. It's free,
0:29:27 > 0:29:30solar air heater is,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33your garage or shed,
0:29:33 > 0:29:35larger versions
0:29:46 > 0:29:48our homes for free
0:29:48 > 0:30:21through the windows.
0:30:21 > 0:30:27That's free energy from the sun. beautiful, light room even lighter?
0:30:27 > 0:30:38some persuading. could go, but he may take
0:31:14 > 0:31:17and money.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21back on after 24 hours,
0:31:21 > 0:31:32Even though it's, like, minus one fridge back on? Yeah.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36the beer fridge off, in the winter?
0:31:41 > 0:32:07He needs tips gas guzzlers on the street.
0:32:12 > 0:32:28money on, in the tank.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31are you, if you invest ?10
0:32:57 > 0:33:56cycling a bicycle do you think,
0:34:15 > 0:35:01'use more power than In fact, most hairdryers
0:35:09 > 0:35:18and say, "Actually, there is the opportunity to engage people
0:35:18 > 0:35:43Is a kettle something that drinkers on this street.
0:35:43 > 0:35:49'The street will need to use
0:35:49 > 0:36:00One, two, three, go!
0:36:04 > 0:36:22Jill, I want you in here.
0:36:22 > 0:36:30'If everyone in the UK only boiled We're halfway, guys!
0:36:38 > 0:36:50The kettle's steaming - 82.
0:36:54 > 0:37:12'for seven minutes has '12 people pedalling
0:37:39 > 0:37:46Not as good as a beer? LAUGHTER
0:37:46 > 0:37:57'As it's Norman's birthday, we're
0:37:57 > 0:38:37I think, Norman, that you will This is a mini beer fridge.
0:38:37 > 0:38:45I think it becomes a habit quite and not letting it escape elsewhere.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49Cheers!
0:38:59 > 0:39:06their gas are trying to reduce
0:39:07 > 0:39:13Dr Owen has been analysing the through the challenge.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18Right, well,
0:39:18 > 0:39:22collectively, as a street, you have
0:39:22 > 0:39:30improvement. Now, we've had some I think that's a considerable
0:39:30 > 0:39:35guzzlers were Alison and Norman
0:39:35 > 0:39:37at 33%.
0:39:50 > 0:39:57as a whole. We've obviously still achievement for the street,
0:39:57 > 0:40:00now and, er...
0:40:00 > 0:40:09cos somebody left the television have heard her shouting
0:40:11 > 0:40:22Lucy is back on the street with her
0:40:35 > 0:40:40a long soak in the bath afterwards.
0:40:47 > 0:40:53and see how many litres it this bucket
0:40:56 > 0:41:00you're using in the shower. OK.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Go.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Three, two, one...
0:41:22 > 0:41:31So, I think that's about five litres
0:41:31 > 0:41:41somebody in this household did the shower, which I believe
0:41:41 > 0:41:48is two pence per minute.
0:41:48 > 0:41:56over the course of a year those last 32 minutes every day,
0:42:00 > 0:42:07Just for two showers.
0:42:07 > 0:42:18Lucy is leaving Sheila with a shower
0:42:18 > 0:42:26At Bill and Me Young's their
0:42:26 > 0:42:47Today because it was a very sunny
0:42:47 > 0:42:51and a jacket on.
0:42:51 > 0:43:04and move the telly to let Me Young could follow Lucy's advice
0:43:04 > 0:43:13Before the challenge started we had
0:43:13 > 0:43:19Small changes like these can
0:43:19 > 0:43:25save around ?65 a year.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31is still sticking
0:43:34 > 0:43:44And some of the younger
0:43:44 > 0:44:02off lights and point out lights when I don't need them, and switch
0:44:02 > 0:44:48Now it's been, the heating at, like, 22-23 degrees.
0:44:48 > 0:44:57"Bring your slippers When we get visitors we always say,
0:44:57 > 0:45:09This little gizmo measures
0:45:09 > 0:45:2319.6. So, it's a degree warmer
0:45:39 > 0:46:23That looks absolutely awful now.
0:46:23 > 0:46:37But there is something really simple
0:46:37 > 0:46:45The girls are gathering in Jill's It's ladies' night on the street.
0:46:45 > 0:46:54Hello, how you doing? Hello, I'm ..science writer Alok Jha.
0:46:54 > 0:46:59Meet my energy-saving friend.
0:46:59 > 0:48:29Alok is a light bulb obsessive who
0:48:29 > 0:49:36This row here,
0:49:36 > 0:49:42You know what that means,
0:49:42 > 0:49:4440s by then or something.
0:49:48 > 0:49:52that often. Excellent.
0:49:56 > 0:50:01to change all her light bulbs.
0:50:01 > 0:50:09as ?400 a year on her energy bills.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12your 100 light bulbs changed!
0:50:12 > 0:50:14with that energy.
0:50:21 > 0:50:27Six households have been trying to
0:50:27 > 0:50:32their bills into the bargain.
0:50:32 > 0:50:42time for a final push from champion There's only a few days left -
0:50:42 > 0:50:52Today, she is joining the young
0:50:52 > 0:50:57Have you had shorter showers? Yes.
0:50:57 > 0:51:07The other day, my mum used all I had a three-minute one today.
0:51:10 > 0:51:14energy than you have saved already?
0:51:14 > 0:51:24so the TV is not in the window of our living room
0:51:31 > 0:51:57Hello. Hello. You've got a very
0:51:57 > 0:52:05How stupid was it? When you think about it now...
0:52:05 > 0:52:13It's been a steep learning curve
0:52:13 > 0:52:24But no-one has learned
0:52:24 > 0:52:39I'm absolutely gobsmacked through -
0:52:39 > 0:52:42carpet and things.
0:52:42 > 0:53:36Some people might have found it quite
0:53:36 > 0:54:02Time to find out if our six families It's results day.
0:54:02 > 0:54:15Before we reveal the results and
0:54:25 > 0:54:28and a dish
0:54:28 > 0:54:40The hay has been acting a few hours earlier.
0:54:49 > 0:54:55the eating? Is that what they say?
0:54:55 > 0:55:02Do you think you're going to be entered into the competitive spirit.
0:55:11 > 0:55:22with little or no knowledge of how street in the country,
0:55:22 > 0:55:26will they have saved
0:55:26 > 0:55:33and electricity?
0:55:33 > 0:55:54Alan, do you want to tell us first The results are in.
0:55:58 > 0:56:09you have absolutely blitzed that.
0:57:25 > 0:57:57great big energy savings and, make little changes that add up to
0:57:57 > 0:58:18and boiled a kettle using only had light bulb parties
0:58:18 > 0:58:47The Great Big Energy Saving say that
0:58:57 > 0:59:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd