If you are living in a University Residence this year and want to have more control over environmental decisions made concerning your housing, then you might want to consider becoming a Green Rep for your residence. There will be a Rep for each residence with monthly get-togethers and campaigns to make the Uni's residences more environmentally friendly.
Contact Mike Leonard, m [dot] leonard
adm [dot] leeds [dot] ac [dot] uk, RCS Environmental Co-ordinator for more details.
Choosing a house
When you decide on a place to live after first year, you generally make a commitment to that place for at least a year so it's worth thinking long and hard about it before rushing to sign up. Also checkout the Community Guide produced by ACE which is aimed at students moving out of Halls.
Here are a few things to consider:
• Is the house registered with Unipol and does it fulfil the Unipol code of standards? This provides you with some protection if landlords refuse to comply with any reasonable requests you make concerning the property. Unipol are also working towards incorporating environmental requirements into the code. www.unipol.leeds.ac.uk. If you are having problems with your Landlord a student group has formed to deal with these issues contact: Rob Damiao r [dot] damiaoleeds [dot] ac [dot] uk for more info
• One key thing to ensure is that your contract doesn't restrict you from changing electricity and gas suppliers (more information in the 'Renewable Electricity’ section on p.6). If it does, ask the landlord if they can change it before you sign.
• You should also check that appliances are not old models which can be energy inefficient.
• Washing machines do an average of 274 cycles a year, having an A rated washing machine can reduce the power required by 30%.
• Fridges and freezers are another big electricity user, an A rated model can use 60% less power, cutting your electricity bill by more than £35.
• For detailed info on energy labels see: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/consumerprod/energylabels/energylabel.pdf
• A property's hot water and heating system is another key thing to check. If the boiler looks old then consider asking for a new one to be fitted. High efficiency condensing boilers are now standard and waste very little energy (90% fuel efficiency).
• Try and check what insulation a house has before you decide on a property, the landlord should know. This could save you a significant amount of money as it will reduce heat loss and therefore energy usage. Also look for double glazing and loft insulation at least 270mm thick.
• Finally, If your house was built post 1930's check and see if the cavity walls have been insulated. It only takes around 3 hours to get it installed and the average saving on energy bills afterwards is more than £100/year. If it hasn't been done ask your landlord!
Alternatives
It is also worth considering alternative housing options, although they may be more suited to when you finish Uni than while you're still here.
Housing Co-operatives work in much the same way as renting but they are self-managed, you are your own landlord! This means property is communally owned rather then being grabbed by rich landlords out to get richer. For more details see: www.cornerstonehousing.org.uk/chc/chc.htm