May 22
2009

The Energy Saving Trust has today launched a 3-minute comedy video entitled ‘Eco-Pads’ featuring the comedian, writer and actor Marcus Brigstocke.  Inspired from MTV’s CribsTM Marcus reveals some of the eco-renovations he has made to his London home in true MTVTM style:

Following a trip to the Arctic with Cape Farewell to witness the effects of climate change, Marcus explains why he agreed to work with the Energy Saving Trust. He explained, ‘Climate change can be a difficult subject for comedy, but like anything else it can be made funny and in the face of too much earnestness it’s important that it is.  There’s a lot of apathy around personal responsibility; we need to talk about climate change but not for too long, the important thing is to take action and the easiest and best place to start is in the home.’

‘Over the years I have gradually made green improvements to my home, and I genuinely feel proud of what I have achieved. There are lots of things that you can do that can help your home be more energy efficient and cost effective. Insulation and lining the backs of radiators is easy and cheap. I did the a lot of the garden and water harvesting arrangements myself and the simple thing of changing over light bulbs to eco ones then leaving them off when they are not needed…  Having made the changes I’ve noticed a difference to the household bills and although they’re only small steps, I feel that it’s making a difference.  I would recommend that everyone should look into and start improving their homes by making them more energy efficient, a great way to start is to contact the Energy Saving Trust for free and impartial advice.’

Marcus takes viewers on a tour of his ‘Eco Pad’, discussing the alterations he has made to his own home to save money and energy, where he:

  • Reveals his ‘big butt’, also known as his water butt
  • Demonstrates ‘where the magic happens’, in his composter
  • Boasts his energy saving light bulbs
  • Brags about his insulation made from recycled plastic bottles
  • Explains a ‘water saving device called a plug’
  • Shows off his two bicycles, with ‘fourteen inch rims’

Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, added, ‘Everyone’s purse strings are tighter nowadays and bank holidays are the perfect time to take stock and check which DIY jobs will save you cash on the household bills. Our research shows many Brits are shying away from easy cash savings by ignoring simple, energy saving tasks which need to be done around the home. This is a real shame. This bank holiday weekend we urge householders to call their local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 to find out which simple things - from draught-proofing to bleeding the radiators - they could do this bank holiday. I am sure they will be shocked at the savings they’re missing.’

The EST carried out a UK-wide survey of more than 2000 consumers and found the top four home improvement jobs most dreaded by the DIY-shy were:

  1. Top-up existing loft insulation - 63% would never attempt this job but if they did it would save them £60 a year on energy bills.
  2. Put jacket on hot-water cylinder - 44% avoided this despite a £40 annual saving.
  3. Draught proof doors & windows - 43% weren’t keen, yet there’s £30 to be had.
  4. Insulate or “lag” hot water pipes - 56% didn’t want to know, £10 could be saved here.

‘Eco Pads’ is the first in a series of short celebrity films to kick off the Energy Saving Trusts Celebrity Green Ambassador campaign.

Further star-studded videos will be released throughout the summer.

For details and to view the video, please visit http://www.EnergySavingTrust.org.uk/MarcusBrigstocke

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