Tap Into Savings is one of the biggest water and energy saving projects in the UK. This community project running in Surrey, East Anglia and Coventry aims to help you save water, energy and money in your home.

10,000 homes to benefit

The project will install water and energy saving products in 10,000 homes across three different areas of the UK, helping people make changes to their behaviour making savings in water, energy and money.

Join EcoTeams

There is also the opportunity to join EcoTeams, which is a home based programme giving you the opportunity to meet neighbours and people in your local community and new friends. During the programme you will discuss topics such as energy, rubbish and water to help you make carbon and money saving decisions, benefiting both you and the environment.

We expect a 15% reduction in water use as a result of this project. Through EcoTeams, we also expect significant savings in energy and reductions in waste. An average home taking part in this programme makes an annual saving of £170 and 1 tonne of carbon.

Increased worry about paying higher energy bills

A recent Tap into Savings survey conducted in Surrey, found that more than half of the residents involved are worried about paying their energy bills. The majority of residents surveyed also say that they are already taking many steps to save water and energy but many would like to do more and Tap into Savings will help people achieve this aim.

The project is launched

Officially launching Tap into Savings in Redhill Peter Ainsworth MP, 2009 Environmental Parliamentarian of the Year, said: “It is very heartening to know that most local residents understand and accept the need to save vital resources such as water and energy. As the population of the South East continues to grow there is increasing pressure to lead our lives more efficiently when using these life-essential resources.”

Trewin Restorick, CEO, Global Action Plan added: “Tap into Savings research has shown that many people obviously care about the way they use water and energy in their homes, but we believe that through the use of more efficient devices and small changes to lifestyles, significant savings can be achieved. That’s the challenge we are setting local residents with Tap into Savings and through the formation of EcoTeams.”

Who is backing the project?

Funded in part by Defra’s Greener Living Fund (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), Tap into Savings is a joint project led by Waterwise with the help of Raven Housing Trust, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, the Environment Agency and ourselves.

A Surrey pilot scheme for Tap into Savings undertaken in 2008/09 – the Preston Water Efficiency Initiative, at Tadworth near Banstead – achieved savings of almost 15% in household water usage.

“This is a forward-thinking initiative that has obvious benefits in our everyday lives and I urge local residents to support Tap into Savings by joining a neighbourhood EcoTeam, and making worthwhile savings for everyone concerned,” added Cllr Julian Ellacott, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment.

For more information visit www.tapintosavings.org  www.ecoteams.org.uk/