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Combining the future and energy savings

The small Swiss district of Ayent (3.300 inhabitants) was awarded the "Cité de l’énergie" title in the autumn of 2004. It has sustained the momentum acquired for its energy-saving initiatives and local decision-makers were delighted when it joined the Display Campaign early in 2005.

Five public buildings were monitored and their energy consumption data entered into the programme as set out in the Display rules for local authorities with less than 10 000 inhabitants. Posters will soon be on display in the entrance halls of the public buildings concerned and everyone will be able to see that it is possible to avoid wasting energy without impairing their quality of life.

The local newspaper will publicise the campaign this year and a questionnaire designed to assess energy consumption in private buildings will be distributed to all local residents to promote more energy-conscious attitudes.

In the village of St-Romain, the district’s main town, it will be interesting to compare the results achieved by public buildings before and after installation of the wood-fuelled central heating system last autumn. This facility has been designed to supply heat to all public buildings in the village, as well as to the parish church. There is no doubt that this will help demonstrate the relevance and encourage appreciation of the Display Campaign.

On the basis of its relatively short but highly interesting experience, the municipality of Ayent recommends the Campaign to all municipalities. It naturally involves a significant amount of work, but the conservation of energy resources for the benefit of future generations is a price worth paying.