How HeatingSave Helps Businesses | Page 19

Chris Huhne has urged consumers to switch energy suppliers as a method of gaining the cheapest available deal. The energy secretary said people also have to check that they are on the cheapest tariff and whether they could save money by paying by direct debit. Mr Huhne was talking after a summit with the six biggest power firms.

Attacks on Libyan oil fields means the commodity has breached the $124-a-barrel mark for the first time since August 2008 after concerns were raised about supply. Brent crude surged by $1.05 to $124.65 a barrel on Friday (April 8). The price rises bring increased inflationary pressures around the world. There are fears that unrest in the Middle East could spread at a time when demand is increasing on the back of strengthening economies in countries such as China and the US.

In what it has called the continued rationalisation of its windfarm portfolio, one of the ‘Big Six’ energy providers has sold off assets – but this is not likely to prevent it raising bills later in the year.

A new poll has revealed consumers trust modern smart meters offered by mobile phone and tech firms far more than those from energy firms. According to those surveyed, power and utility companies are seen as a having an “impersonal and transactional” relationship with their customers. Many questioned the motives of energy firms’ involvement in the rollouts and failed to understand why power companies would want to provide them with tools to reduce their energy bills.

The latest figures suggest 1.5 million people are in debt with energy bills in the UK. The statistics, collated from spring 2011, include 850,000 electricity and 700,000 gas customers. Bills are rising 18% this winter so there is a fear that more people would be pushed into debt.

Local authorities across the UK are becoming increasingly interested in the concept of energy efficiency, most of them actually having some sort of plan set up in order to make the buildings they manage more efficient and cut down on bills.

Both the UK Government and companies should do a lot more about implementing energy efficiency measures, said the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) in a public call to action.

Small and medium sized businesses will be able to access a fund worth up to £5 million in order to implement a variety of energy-efficiency measures, a news report on the matter has revealed.

The Nottingham Playhouse is a Grade II listed building that was officially opened back in 1963, when energy-related costs were significantly lower than they are today.

In a bid to make it easier for residential developers to comply with their set carbon targets, the Government is considering a scheme that would enable said developers to carry out energy efficiency improvements to existing properties and count these towards zero carbon targets for new house building projects.

HeatingSave has been officially listed in the Carbon Trust Green Business Directory, the latest feature of the Carbon Trust Accredited Supplier scheme.

Energy efficiency standards for new builds will be pushed up to 6% for the domestic sector and 9% in non-domestic buildings over Part L 2010 Building Regulations, Community Secretary Eric Pickles has just announced.