Provide more advice about energy efficiency say experts

uswitch.com - 25th February 2011

Howeowners should be helped to find ways to make their homes more energy efficient an expert has said. 

Gordon Miller, Sustainability and Communications Director of Sustain Worldwide, said that there is a lack of awareness when it comes to energy efficiency. He highlighted the importance of energy saving and added that barriers that currently prevent people from carrying out essential measures need to be addressed.

Mr Miller explained that some homeowners are unsure of how particular gadgets and technologies work and do not know who can help to fit them.

"It goes back to finding peoples trigger point that will see them engage with the debate and act," he said, suggesting that environmental concerns and money may motivate people.
"Whatever works - and each [issue] will for different people - is where the focus needs to be," he added.

Investing in the green economy is a hot topic for many organisations, as this week the United Nations called for 2% of the worldwide income to be invested into reducing greenhouse gasses.

Huhne calls for greater effort in renewable heat development

energysavingtrust.org.uk - 23rd February 2011

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has called for greater developments to be made in renewable heat technology.

Speaking to the Royal Geographic Society last week, he highlighted the need to tackle what is the UK's second biggest driver of energy demand after transport.

"More combined heat and power schemes, putting waste heat to better use. More district heating schemes are needed" he said.

"And more electric air and ground source heat pumps, drawing warmth from the outside world to heat indoors. Better insulation, smarter homes, and more energy efficient heating can help us to cut our energy demand."

The minister noted that research from British Gas shows that homeowners who install energy efficiency measures cut their gas consumption by 44%, showing that home improvements can be made and can be effective.

In addition, Mr Huhne said that electricity use could double by 2050 as the grid is used to heat homes and charge cars.

He stressed the need for low-cabon supply from renewable energy such as wind, wave, solar and micro-hydro power, as well as from nuclear and carbon capture storage.

Being energy efficient is key to being competitive

guardian.co.uk - 15th February 2011

Energy costs account for as much as a fifth of business expenditure so investing in efficiency can lead to gains in competitive advantage.

At a time when cutting costs is imperative for many businesses, utility costs can be a significant and unavoidable overhead. Energy costs can account for up to a fifth of the average business' expenditure and this is compounded by a volatile energy market and an increasing amount of complex regulation on the horizon.

However this threat can be turned into an opportunity to cut costs and gain a competitive advantage if businesses are willing to transform their approach to managing their energy use.

From our experience of working with over 750,000 business and public sector customers we know that most businesses can save at least 10% on their bulls by taking steps to manage their energy more efficiently. For those that go a step further and make energy efficiency a business priority, savings in the region of 20-30% are achievable.

Landlords given tips on greening properties

rman.co.uk - 14th February 2011

Landlords have been handed tips on the best ways to make their properties greener in a bid to attract tenants.

According to letting agent body ARLA, the governments Green Deal is set to offer landlords financing in order to improve the energy efficiency of the homes they rent out.

Older properties will be particularly targeted under the scheme, with any houses with an energy performance certificate rating of F or G to be updated first.

Ian Potter, operations manager of ARLA commented: "landlords can already take advantage of a tax allowance of up to £1,500 for these energy efficiency improvements through the landlords's energy saving allowance."

He added that it makes sense for landlords to carry out the necessary work as soon as possible in order to make immediate cost savings.

Fines for missing EPCs

PropertyDrum - February 2011

Firms that alter their business premises may find themselves liable for providing their landlord with a new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or face a hefty fine warns Paul Burbidge, a partner at Gullands solicitors in Maidstone. Read More

EPCs should play a bigger role in home energy efficiency advice says FMB

build.co.uk - 1st February 2011

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has welcomed news that the data from Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will be used to offer advice and information to home owners and tenants about how to improve their property and reduce their fuel bills.

The FMB has said for a long time that the EPC should play a bigger role in improving the energy efficiency of the UK's housing stock.

Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said: "The retrofit revolution is an enormous challenge. In order for the Government's Green Deal to successfully deliver the carbon savings required, home owners and tenants must understand the benefits of home energy efficiency improvements. For a long time the FMB has said Energy Performance Certificates should be used to trigger property upgrades. This can only start to happen if local authorities and other trusted and accredited companies have access to information about the energy performance of the homes in their area".