The Government is to switch their focus to the subsidy of all types of insulation- roof insulation, cavity wall insulation, under floor insulation – and are stopping the subsidy of energy saving light bulbs from next March. Chris Huhne, the Climate Change Secretary, is insistent that energy suppliers stop their promoting of energy saving bulbs such as compact fluorescent bulbs in DIY stores and supermarkets and start to instead promote more efficient methods of energy-saving, especially insulation. Read more…
Home Insulation Pushes Light Subsidies to be Scrapped
Replacing a Roof to Improve Your Property
New roofs add value
As well as reducing the likelihood of more expensive repair work later down the line due to water damage and damp problems, a new roof installation can also be a good investment for your home in general. The fact that prospective buyers won’t need to endure the cost of inconvenience of a roof replacement can give you a good selling point, so it’s not only beneficial to reduce household energy bills, but can also add value to your property.
Reduce Your Energy Consumption With a Replacement Roof
There are a number of steps you can take to keep your energy bills within your budget, which include locating and sealing drafts around doors, windows and from open chimneys, insulating your home and fitting energy efficient windows. However if your roof is not maintained adequately, your efforts could all be in vain.
An old, poorly maintained roof can cost you
Your roof is an important part of your home, responsible for helping prevent heat loss in particular during the cold weather experienced in winter. An old roof can not only look unattractive, but it could be resulting in a lot of hot air escaping through the rafters, meaning you’re paying out on your energy bills to heat the air around your home.
Alternative Heating and Renewable Energy Systems
In a world that is constantly battling with climate change and oil prices constantly on the up how long before the general public start looking for an alternative to fossil fuels to power their central heating? The sharp rise in interest for alternative fuels and greener homes would suggest that we are now at that point. But which way do you go and how to you choose the best option to meet your needs?
With all the different options available now, there is bound to be one that suits you and your home but finding it is can often be the hard part. It is a good idea to read up on all the available options; there are many websites that give good helpful advice on renewable and alternative energy sources and some have a tool that helps you select the best option. Another option is to get a specialist to come and view your home to advise on the best alternative central heating systems that are going to suit your home and budget.
New Heating and Cooling Seminars Launched by Danfoss
Danfoss, a family owned global business and one of Denmark’s biggest industrial companies, manufacture, service and sell mechanical parts and electronic components around the world for a number of industries. Their products include heating solutions, air conditioning controls, and controls for appliances and water systems.
Danfoss have announced that they have launched a free new CPD seminar which will be called ‘The Complete Design Solution for Variable Flow Systems’. The new seminar, which will add to current seminars offered by Danfoss, will provide the opportunity for mechanical design engineers and contractors who are responsible for designing systems to benefit from two workshops, each lasting 40 minutes, covering the heating and cooling aspects of variable flow heating systems.
Variable flow systems are installed as a method of increasing energy efficiency of heating and cooling systems and should also help increase the lifespan of the systems that are installed. There is also increased value for money for customers because the pumps and amount of pipework required to install the system will be less expensive than alternative types of system.
Consumer Focus Call For Gas and Electricity Companies to Cut Fuel Bills
Despite reductions in the cost of wholesale gas an electricity, customers are still seeing price increases when their gas and electricity bills land on the doormat. In addition to this, energy companies have announced increased profits, which energy watchdog Consumer Focus has slammed, saying that energy prices should be cut in order to pass on the reduction in the price of wholesale electricity and gas to their customers.
Energy companies have, it has been unveiled in an Ofgem quarterly report, made profits of £105 for each dual-fuel customer in February 2010 compared to £75 for each customer in November 2009. In addition, with British Gas having announced profits for 2009 of £595 million, a £291 million increase from 2008 profits; and Scottish Power having confirmed pre-tax profits lying at £1,293 million, it is understandable that consumers who are struggling to pay their energy bills will be less than pleased with this news.
Consumer Focus is therefore calling on energy companies to be fair to their customers and pass on the benefits of reduced energy costs to reduce their energy bills. British Gas have advised however that if they were to cut their energy bills by 5% they would not be making any profit. Their managing director, Phil Bentley, commented that if this was the case, British Gas would not be able to offer services such as installation smart meters, assisting with insulating people’s homes and creating more jobs.
Cold and Damp Related Illness and How to Prevent it
Being the coldest winter in 30 years damp and cold related illness is on the increase. In the UK damp and cold related illness costs the NHS an estimated £1 billion to treat each year so help keep your family healthy this winter by following some of the advice below.