Just the mere thought is bad enough, but more and more people are having to choose between heating their homes or putting food on the table. It’s hard to imagine the scenario, isn’t it. After all, we are living in the 21st century. But thanks to high levels of unemployment and shocking fuel costs, more […]
Year: 2011
Britons Shower Longer Than Expected
In a surprising victory for hygiene and a regrettable defeat for the environment, a new survey has revealed that Britons spend far longer in the shower than previously thought. Lasting around eight minutes, the average shower is now estimated to use almost the same amount of energy and water as the average bath. The conclusion […]
Reinstating Boiler Scrappage Scheme in England Will Help Cut Fuel Bills
According to the latest Boiler Guide press release, reinstating the Boiler Scrappage Scheme in England will help homeowners cut their fuel bills. Boiler Guide is backing the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) who are calling on the Government to reinstate the boiler scrappage scheme in England, which last year saw more than 118,000 old […]
Take Advantage of the Warm Front Scheme As Winter Approaches
With the winter months fast approaching, energy consumers already struggling to meet the demands of rising gas and electricity costs are facing more worry when it comes to ensuring they stay warm and healthy this winter. But for the most vulnerable members of society – the elderly and low income households – there is help […]
Environmental Report Highlights China’s ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ Situation
According to a new report, China has great potential for green growth but it needs to replace dirty, energy intensive technologies with clean green forms of renewable energy. In the report, which was released this week, China’s Council of International Co-operation on Environment and Development described the country’s environmental situation in terms of green growth […]
Lib Dems’ Ire Over Solar Cuts
Whilst many seasoned political observers have watched on in dismay as the Liberal Democrats allowed their Tory masters free rein to implement austerity measures, it would appear that the recent decision to halve solar subsidies has lit the touchpaper of discontent. In a move that is likely to rock the political fabric of the UK, […]
British Gas Loses 200,000 Customers Following Energy Price Hikes
British Gas has seen its customer base drop by a staggering 200,000 as a backlash of the recent increases in their energy prices, the firm has revealed. Over the summer, energy providers – including all of the “Big Six” – raised household energy bills by an average of 16% for electricity and 18% for gas. […]
Scotland Unveils Plans For an Eco Village
Aberdeenshire is to be home to Scotland’s first sustainable village, and the general public will be able to give their feeback during an open consultation period. Kincluny Village is aiming to be carbon neutral by providing affordable homes that benefit from renewable energy systems. To ensure the community is self-sufficient, residents will have the […]
50% of Customers Unhappy With Their Energy Supplier
According to a recent survey conducted by uSwitch, 50% of energy consumers are unhappy with their energy supplier. As news goes, it’s hardly a surprising revelation, as more and more people struggle to keep on top of their heating and electricity bills. In a year that has been riddled with soaring fuel bills and more […]
Scotland Calls On the UK for Greener Homes Help
Scottish Government Minister Alex Neil has pleaded for help from the UK in providing Scotland with a greener housing stock. Mr Neil, the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, has urged the UK Government to exert its influence over the banking sector to free up greater capital for ‘green’ mortgages. Ahead of a Greener […]
Bristol Scientists Turn Urine Into Electricity
Who’d have thought it; turning urine into electricity. On the surface it might seem laughable to most people, but a team of scientists in the UK believe there’s a lot of potential in ‘pee power’. Particularly animal urine. We apparently produce 2.5 litres of the decidedly unpleasant waste product daily – 6.4 trillion litres globally. […]
CBI Claims Halving Feed-in Tariffs Creates ‘Uncertainty’
The largest business group in the UK has voiced its concern over the Government’s decision to halve solar power subsidies available to households and businesses. CBI claimed the 50 per cent reduction in feed-in tariffs would likely create uncertainty in an economy that is already struggling to escape another recession. Jonathan Cridland, the Director General […]
BlackBerry Firm Lowest For Energy Efficiency
They may be one of the world’s most popular smartphone makers, but according to a survey, Research in Motion – the firm behind the brand – produces some of the most energy inefficient products on the market. In Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics, Research in Motion (RIM) featured bottom of the list, signalled out as […]
Energy Saving Allowance Benefits Landlords
Landlords seeking to make their properties more energy efficient are reminded that they are entitled to help under the ‘Landlord’s Energy Saving Allowance’ (LESA) scheme. Available since 2004, LESA is a tax allowance of up to £1,500 per property for private landlords. But many landlords still remain in the dark over its existence. LESA gives […]
Panorama’s Report Into Energy Costs Under Fire
Panorama, the BBC’s popular current affairs TV show has been heavily criticised for it’s recent investigation into Britain’s rising energy bills. The programme set out to look at the reasons why the country is being forced to deal with soaring energy costs, but since going to air on Monday evening, the show has come under […]
Green Taxes Must Be Transparent
Conservative MP Tim Yeo has called for greater transparency over the way in which green taxes are applied to energy bills. Noting his party’s failure to become the ‘greenest ever’ Government, the head of the Energy and Climate Change Committee suggested energy bills ought to include details of green taxes in order to give rise […]