Many people, when moving to a new home or perhaps buying properties to rent, are faced with a very important and difficult decision - which heating solution to use. It can drastically affect the value of your property, its appeal to tenants if you're renting out, and how your property feels from day to day. Of course, the main question on everyone's lips when they're trying to decide between various heating solutions is, which is cheaper - gas or electric?
There's been a great deal of speculation and talk over the past year about Britain's pursuit of cleaner, greener energy. With gas prices fluctuating and our dependency on imports increasing, it's obviously important that we look at 'home grown' renewable options, and everything from solar and wind to hydrogen fuel cells and nuclear power is on the table. But what does that mean for the average homeowner, or business owner for that matter? Many of us ride the wave of tumultuous gas prices and are at the mercy of big energy companies - can switching to electric really make a difference?
The idea of having a conservatory was at one time dedicated to growing plants. Today the options include space for socialising, dining, and blurring the space between the garden and the house. There are many things to take into account when building a conservatory.
Ministers in the UK have tightened safeguards around fracking and given the green light to companies to start fracking throughout the country. This green light includes the fracking of national parks in what they have deemed 'exceptional circumstances', although ministers have retained the right to veto these plans if called for. From Monday, the Government will invite different shale gas firms to bid for onshore gas and oil licenses for the first time in 6 years. So, will fracking really secure our energy future?
How easy is it to fit a plugin radiator? Wall mounted electric radiator design means that you can fit them quickly, and you only need the most basic of DIY skills. The electric radiators come with all of the fixing materials, (check with your supplier), to fix your new purchase securely to the wall.
In order to maintain the Europe's momentum when it comes to energy reduction and saving, the EU are now mulling over a 35% reduction target for 2030. EurActiv picked up on a draft for its scheduled 'energy efficiency review' which says that a 35% reduction would be needed to reap the benefits of jobs and growth, and stabilise energy security.
We're now gaining significant ground in the battle to give control back to the consumer when it comes to energy suppliers. Ofgem have recently announced a 3-day energy switching policy making it easier for consumers to shop around for the best deal, and Npower have been ordered to pay back money to consumers after a billing blunder. But with the energy landscape changing so rapidly, it's important to know your rights as a consumer...
At long last, efforts to pass more control onto consumers when it comes to their energy providers and tariffs have been successful. Ofgem have agreed a deal with energy firms which will see switching times reduced to just 3 days with a 14 day cooling off period for all customers. Hopefully this will encourage more people to switch more frequently, helping them reduce their energy bills and keep costs down.
Today it was announced that five offshore wind farms and three biomass plants in the UK would receive Government funding. Collectively the eight developments could provide millions of homes with clean energy, but there is a worry they could lead to a short term increase in energy bills. Should we be celebrating or should we really be concerned...?
There has been a media buzz of late about Scotland leaving the United Kingdom, and the campaign has made a lot more headway than people thought it would. While there are many things at stake if Scotland do chose independence, one of elephants in the room is energy. How will Scotland source its energy? Will the UK continue to subside Scotland and pay for their energy? How will it affect bill payers?
