British Council-Future fuel sources

Transcript of the podcast

Interviewer: Good morning, today in the studio we have Sue Booth from Eco Power, she’s here to tell us about renewable energy sources and how we can use them in our homes

Sue: Good morning

Interviewer: Sue, energy is a hot topic at the moment, with petrol prices at record highs, gas shortages and price increases everywhere, what can the average householder do to save money

Sue: Well, we’re talking about the UK here – I think there are two issues

Interviewer: What are these

Sue: Well, first we need to use energy in the home more efficiently, then we can look at a couple of ways of using renewable energy sources in the home

Interviewer: OK, how can I make my home more energy efficient

Sue: Let’s start with insulation – make sure that the roof and the walls of your house are insulated, and you’ll save money on your heating bills. Next look at your windows, do these close well? Do you have draughts? Consider installing double glazing – this is expensive initially but again you’ll save in the long term

Interviewer: Ok, so ‘insulate’ seems to be the key word

Sue: Definitely, yes, now as regards actually producing energy in the home, solar power is a solution

Interviewer: Energy from the sun? In this country

Sue: Typical reaction .. you know it is possible to produce energy from the sun even in this country. There are two possibilities, the sun’s energy can be used to produce electricity using photovoltaic cells

Interviewer: Sorry what was that

Sue: Photovoltaic cells – these convert energy from the sun into electricity

Interviewer: I see

Sue: Or solar panels can be used to produce hot water

Interviewer: Which do you recommend for the average British household

Sue: Well, of the two I’d recommend solar panels to heat water for central heating and showers

Interviewer: How much does this cost

Sue: Well it’s hard to say precisely, this depends on the size of the house, but for an average house in the UK installation costs would be four to five thousand pounds

Interviewer: Rather a lot of money

Sue: Initially yes, but within three years the system will have paid for itself and there are government grants available to help with the installation costs

Interviewer: So solar power’s the answer

Sue: It can definitely help to reduce those gas and electricity bills

Answers