Green Lane a green leader

28 July, 2008 Green Lane, in Leeds, is an unassuming suburban street, but also one that is teaching the public about energy conservation.

Green Lane, in Leeds, is an unassuming suburban street, but also one that is teaching the public about energy conservation.

As one of eight streets across Britain with the word 'green' in its name, Green Lane has become a contender in the national Green Streets competition.

The competition has been designed to demonstrate how altering habits can affect the amount of energy used by a household, and so the houses of Green Lane have each had a monitor fixed to their mantelpieces, which shows how much energy is being used - and the hourly cost.

The contest began in January and, halfway through at June, Green Lane was winning after a 29.32 per cent reduction in energy throughout its row of 1960s semi-detached houses.

Such energy reductions are typically made from simple gestures such as unplugging the TV and video, and avoiding items being left on standby.

It is hoped that the competition, arranged by British Gas, will alert households of the potential for saving energy by simply changing habits.