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11 articles listed for the category Environment
Homeowners Guide to the Green Deal
23 October 2012
Most of us will have felt the effect of rising energy prices in recent years which is due to depleting local reserves and reliance upon imported fossil fuels. Competition for reserves in countries like China means the cost is going to keep going up. Installing energy saving measures, like loft,wall and floor insulation, will help protect you from rising heating bills and spiralling energy costs... Continue reading Homeowners Guide to the Green Deal
Renewable Energy
14 December 2010
As part of the Government's spending review it was announced in October this year that the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, or RHI, will go ahead, hopefully by June 2011. What, I hear you cry, is the RHI?! We are all by now well aware of the planet's limited fossil fuel supply and that we need to look to greener, more renewable forms of energy. Heat production accounts for around half of the UK's... Continue reading Renewable Energy
Curb Appeal
22 November 2010
We've all heard the phrase 'curb appeal' and most property experts are very quick to point out that a well-landscaped garden, both front and back could make a vast difference to the value of a home (as well as it's aesthetic quality). But how many of us have applied it to our own homes? Recent years have seen huge increases in styles and finishes for patios, terraces, drives and pathways. From reproduction... Continue reading Curb Appeal
How to Fight Back when it comes to Household Fuel Bills
5 February 2010
A sure way to end light-hearted conversation is to mention household fuel bills and their meteoric rise over the past seven years. According to the comparison website moneysupermarket.com household bills have doubled since 2003. Fuel poverty is a real issue amongst the vulnerable and occurs when more than 10% of household income is dedicated to paying fuel bills. However, with a degree of guile and... Continue reading How to Fight Back when it comes to Household Fuel Bills
Greening the Nation (1 Comment)
6 September 2009
With rising fuel prices and the world gripped by economic downturn, further gloomy news to hit homeowners is that our homes are not green enough. Latest statistics show that Britain's housing stock is responsible for nearly 27% of the entire country's emissions of carbon dioxide. This does not come as a real surprise. I am sure we have all sat round at Aunt Nellie's house and experienced cold ankle... Continue reading Greening the Nation
Rainwater Harvesting
15 May 2009
It's all in the Water Butt - A money saving idea that will keep you and your garden happy. As I sit here contemplating whether I should be turning the heating back on, I read with scepticism that we are predicted a “heat wave” this summer. The thought of wall-to-wall sunshine and lazy days enjoyed in the garden seems as distant as the “heat wave” of 1976. However, if the prediction... Continue reading Rainwater Harvesting
The Heat Is On - Will the Government's Aspirations of Zero Carbon Living become a Reality?
19 February 2009
Did you realise that by 2016, the Government will expect that all new homes that are built will be zero carbon? In order for a house to be classed as being zero carbon, it will have to generate as much power as it uses over the course of a year. For most of us, the idea of having a home that generates enough power to meet its own requirements would appear as likely as the 50 pence litre of petrol.... Continue reading The Heat Is On - Will the Government's Aspirations of Zero Carbon Living become a Reality?
Will Your House Last 1,000 Years? - Heating and Our Environmental Responsibilities
7 February 2009
Did you realise that Britain has the oldest housing stock in the developed world with 8.5 million properties over 60 years old? Given the current rate of demolition, this will mean that the average house could realistically have to last for 1,000 years before it is replaced. I look at my own home and at times, I struggle to believe it could comfortably last a further 100 years without major refurbishment... Continue reading Will Your House Last 1,000 Years? - Heating and Our Environmental Responsibilities
The House of Straw - No longer the preserve of Fables and Fairly Tales
1 February 2009
In a bold step, it appears that North Kesteven District Council (Lincolnshire) is about to announce plans for the first social houses to be built in Britain using straw bales. As we set out in our recent article entitled "the true cost of buildings" (31st January 2009), North Kesteven District Council recognises the benefits that can be gained from green construction. What does Straw Offer? Offers... Continue reading The House of Straw - No longer the preserve of Fables and Fairly Tales
The True Cost of Buildings - How the Construction Industry must face up to its environmental responsibility
31 January 2009
Did you realise that 47% of the UK's carbon emissions are from buildings? The construction industry faces a massive challenge in helping the Government meet its target of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. According to the Federation of Master Builders:- Construction uses approximately 6 tonnes of materials for every year man, woman and child in the UK Construction and demolition produce... Continue reading The True Cost of Buildings - How the Construction Industry must face up to its environmental responsibility
Green Energy - Hurry! Get Your Renewable Energy Grant Before Government Funding Stops (1 Comment)
31 January 2009
It is no coincidence that more and more of us are turning to renewable energy sources as a means of heating and lighting our homes. In less than 7 years, energy prices have literally gone through the roof having increased by more than 130%. Whilst we all recognise the potential benefits that a wind turbine or indeed solar panels can offer, there remains one stumbling block, the capital outlay for such... Continue reading Green Energy - Hurry! Get Your Renewable Energy Grant Before Government Funding Stops