Study into Solid Wall Insulation reports

"noticeably warmer"

An evaluation of solid wall insulation has been carried out in the Bath & North East Somerset Areas, amid fears that despite the advantages of solid wall insulation to homeowners, many will be put off by the disruption and impact on building appearance.

The study - part published due to a late finish of installations - has found that those homes where previously, residents had been experiencing problems in keeping warm, the standard of heating has improved considerably.

Amongst the results, residents reported feeling warmer, being able to turn down thermostats, experiencing more even heat throughout the property (where previously there had been cold-spots) and noticing properties warming up quicker and retaining that heat for longer.

The report reckons this proves that solid wall insulation - for many older properties, the only viable insulation method possible - despite it's immediate problems during installation, and afterwards, can play a major part in reducing CO2 emissions and reducing fuel poverty.

You can read the full report here.

photo credit: dringer

Last of the Summer's energy price rises begins...

Perhaps the media was full of other stories (or I just missed it), but there seemed to be a distinct lack of fanfare to herald the last of the Summer's announced energy price rises by the big six, which came into effect on the 10th November.

Easier Finance points out that with all the energy rises now in force, more homeowners than ever are facing difficult choices between eating or heating their homes.

"With the average household now facing an energy bill of £1,293 a year, the number living in fuel poverty has rocketed to an incredible 6.9 million."

Their report goes on to say that figures suggest 9 in 10 households - 89% will ration their energy use to save money - that's 16% more than last year.

Some 55%of households risked their health by going without heating at some point last Winter. A figure that looks set to rise.

Taking a few simple and cheap actions could make your home more comfortable - use draught sealing strips around doors and letterboxes. Hang thick curtains across draughty doors or single glazed windows.

Try not to heat rooms you're not living in. Even wearing an extra layer of clothing e.g a jumper, will mean you can comfortably turn down your thermostat a degree or two and still feel warm.

photo credit: ns newsflash

Unavoidable tariff cuts will affect poorest claim renewables industry

The newspapers have been full of little else yesterday - the shockwaves of Monday's Government announcement on the Feed-in Tariff cuts of around 50%, which will come into force from 12th December this year.

Whilst the Government have already explained that the cuts were unavoidable, in order to safeguard the future of some form of tariff system for micro-generators of renewable energy, the solar industry have responded with shock and dire warnings of the cuts affecting the poorest most.

I particular, community projects look the most likely to be scrapped. Such schemes were originally designed to help the most vulnerable escape fuel poverty. What now for those most at risk?

The solar industry is also concerned, and rightly so, that the latest cuts don't send a very confident message to the wider business community on Britain's renewables intentions.

They're also concerned for the business future of those solar installation companies that may loose work and the thousands employed in this fledgeling industry.

In a separate row, there's speculation that the target date of 12th December for the new tariffs to come into force, could be moved as the date is actually 11 days prior to the tariff consultations end.

It's remarkable that in all the reports I've read so far, very little seems to have been made of the fact that the new tariff rate, due to come into force on the 12th December 2011, could very well be reduced again when the proper tariff review date of April 2012 comes around.

The Minister for Energy in his statement on Monday stated that customers on the new tariff are only guaranteed that rate until the revisal of all tariffs in April 2012. December's reduction is in effect a temporary reduction to protect the tariff 'pot' from premature depletion, ahead of April 2012's review.

photo credit: rev stan

Wrexham - 3,000 council homes will be powered by solar

Spotted in the Daily Post was this story about the go-ahead of a plan by Wrexham council to install £60m of solar panels in 3,000 council homes.

The installations will cut individual homes energy bills by around £300 a year.

With a carbon footprint reduction of 3,000 tonnes of CO2 a year, it makes this scheme one of the biggest of its kind in Wales and the UK, reports Steve Bagnall.

The panels will be supplied by a local manufacturer, with the whole installation scheme set for completion by March 2012.

Wrexham Council is borrowing the money for the installation, but tariff payments from the Government is expected to see the council make a healthy return on the investment.

The scheme will also directly tackle fuel-poverty in the area.

As we've seen, following the latest energy price rises by all 6 major energy companies, fuel-poverty is estimated to affect over a quarter of the UK population.

photo credit: hannah and simon

Energy price hikes the 'final straw'

The Citizen's Advice Bureau has called the latest energy price rises announced by British Gas 'the final straw', which will drive a lot of people over the edge into serious debt and hardship.

The CAB is urging anyone already in debt or worried about how'll they'll pay the increased energy bills to contact them now rather than leave it too late.

Their services include helping to make sure you're on the cheapest deal that you current supplier provides and will help you look at whether you'd be better off by switching energy providers.

The problem for many is that switching means that some homeowners will be faced with making large final payments to their old provider - especially if their usage had been under-estimated and subsequent monthly payments haven't been enough to clear actual bills.

It's important to regularly take actual meter readings and submit them to your energy provider. Seasonal 'blips' in the weather - it's noticeably chilly in the evenings of late (and I've been resisting the urge to switch on any heating), may mean energy for heating that may not have been considered, adding to your overall usage.

*The same goes for your water usage - don't forget you can still provide your own meter reading to make your monthly debit more realistic.

With consumer groups warning the levels of fuel poverty could rise by over a million households, it's vitally important not to leave yourself vulnerable by acting too late.

photo credit: christian guthier

10,000 Birmingham homes to get solar panels

In a scheme part-funded by commercial banks and the council, 10,000 Birmingham homes are to get solar panels fitted.

The council owned properties will benefit from a new 'green deal' which will see the UK's biggest retro-fitted energy upgrade.

The proceeds from the retrofits will be used to re-finance a scheme that it's hoped will be enough to re-furbish a further 200,000 homes.

Residents will see savings on their annual fuel bills, despite a planned levy to help repay the councils loans for the installation costs.

The council has said it will start by identifying those households with the greatest social need, singling out people in fuel poverty.

The longterm goal is to upgrade all 420,000 homes in Birmingham city which will include owner occupied and the privately rented sector.

Way to go Birmingham! Is your city doing anything similar? We'd love to hear about it in the Comments below.

photo credit: uggboy

An Apple a Day won't keep the Green Doctor away.

The Green Doctors - a service being trialled by Groundwork UK is now roving the streets in electric vehicles helping to stamp out fuel poverty.

Fuel poverty is defined as when a household needs to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel use in order to heat the home to an adequate level.

According to the GroundWork UK website - in Yorkshire and Humber alone, fuel poverty affects around 163,000 households.

Head over to the GroundWork UK website now for more details - especially if you live in one of the trial areas.

photo credit: selma90