A project set up to provide thousands of social tenants with solar PV panels is under threat after the Government announced a comprehensive review of feed-in tariff subsidies. The social enterprise behind the initiative, Empower Community, fears the UK Government – the ‘greenest ever’ to take office according to Prime Minister David Cameron – will […]
Year: 2011
Is Your Energy Bill a Victim of the Postcode Lottery?
It’s been revealed that energy companies operate a “postcode lottery” when it comes to calculating how much a household has to pay for their gas and electricity. According to price comparison website uSwitch.com, depending on where you live, you could be paying up to £180 more as part of a postcode lottery which the “Big […]
6% of Households Too Poor To Heat Their Homes
An online poll has revealed that 6% of UK households cannot afford to turn on their central heating due to energy costs that have seen bills skyrocket in recent months. The survey, conducted by moneysupermarket.com, was undertaken by some 13,700 participants who visited the website. While 6% of those who completed the survey claim they […]
Fuel Poverty Deaths Driven By Soaring Energy Bills
According to an independent report written by Professor John Hills, thousands of people in Britain are dying every year as a result of illnesses caused by fuel poverty. Such is the seriousness of fuel poverty at the moment, Professor Hills’ report recommends the term be redefined to include any household that is pushed below the […]
Forget Climate Targets to Achieve Cheaper Energy Bills
Government ministers have been warned that discarding climate targets is the only way to stop energy bills rising. Business groups are claiming that it’s ministers’ obsession with green taxes that’s largely to blame for rising energy bills, and they have called on the Government to give priority to cutting fuel prices, rather than meeting targets […]
Energy Firms to Freeze Prices As Winter Looms
With winter edging ever closer, five out of the “Big Six” energy providers have promised not to hike their energy prices again, until next spring. British Gas, npower, SSE, Scottish Power and E.On have all agreed to freeze energy tariffs, with EDF only committing to no more price rises over the coming winter months. The […]
Energy Efficient Properties More Valuable Says Report
Properties that are shown to be the most energy efficient sell for more, according to the findings of a new report by the Australian Property Institute. The report reveals that energy efficient properties achieve a higher selling price and command higher rents compared to less efficient buildings. Which is certainly going to be welcome news, […]
Energy Suppliers Defend Profit Margins
Several of the leading energy suppliers in the UK have spoken out in defence of their pricing models after Ofgem published details of their profit margins. According to the energy regulator, suppliers currently enjoy an annual profit of £125 per customer – far more than the £15 reported in June. Following the announcement, Britain’s leading […]
Ofgem Reveals Shocking Profits Achieved By Energy Firms
We know energy companies don’t have the best of reputations, but the news of their soaring profit margins will not do anything to improve their already tarnished character. In figures just released by Ofgem, the energy watchdog has revealed that hikes in gas and electricity tariffs this summer has enabled the “Big Six” to turn […]
Build a Greener Home With the Big Green Home Show
If you’re a builder, renovator or simply someone interested in making your home greener and more energy efficient, then the Big Green Home Show is going to be right up your street. A one stop shop for eco and sustainable help and advice for the thousands who visit, the Big Green Home Show 2011 is […]
Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the Rise
Greenhouse gas emissions in Europe are on the increase but despite the rise the EU remains on track to meet set targets to cut gas emissions by 2020. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), last year gas emissions increased by 2.4%, compared to a 7% drop in 2009. The rise is being attributed to […]
One in Four Face Fuel Poverty Thanks To Green Taxes
One in four UK households could well be forced into fuel poverty, thanks to the Government’s controversial green energy targets. That’s the bleak warning City analysts have issued to ministers, if the Government continues to pursue its plans to encourage the uptake of renewable energy technologies, such as solar PV panels and wind turbines. Thanks […]
Government Urges Energy Suppliers to Issue Discounts
The UK Government has requested that energy suppliers provide all customers who are eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme with a £120 discount. The move comes just days after the scheme was criticised for affording suppliers the opportunity to limit the number of discounts paid to qualifying customers (namely low-income families and pensioners). Essentially, […]
Retrofit Scheme Turns Up the Heat on UK’s Housing Stock
A social housing property in Oxfordshire has been chosen to showcase the energy efficiency benefits of installing green technologies as part of a ‘Retrofit for the Future’ scheme to improve the UK’s social housing stock. Owned by Soha Housing, the fairly nondescript property in the South Oxfordshire town of Didcot has been transformed as part […]
E.ON Offers New Deal As Households Face Energy Crisis
E.ON, one of the leading energy suppliers in the UK, has announced plans to offer customers free gas and electricity for two months under a new deal. As households in the UK find themselves on the cusp of an energy crisis this winter, E.ON’s offer may seem too good to be true. The deal is […]
Renewable Heat Premium Payment Continues to Spark Interest in Heat Pump Technology
According to the latest Renewables Guide press release, since its launch in August, the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) has so far proved to be a popular incentive. Designed to stoke interest in renewable heating, one green technology in particular seems to be an outright favourite, and that’s heat pumps. The RHPP – the first […]
