Carbon offsetting through ‘off-site’ retrofitting seriously considered by ministers

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.

Nottingham Playhouse to undergo £1m makeover for superior energy efficiency

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.

Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important for local authorities

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.

CBI issues call to action on energy efficiency to government, firms

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.

SMEs get £5m fund to improve energy efficiency

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.

Microprocessor automatically compensates for unusually warm or cold days to save on fuel 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.

Save money with system that controls solar panels for heating hot water cylinders

The government wants to slash the feed-in tariffs available to domestic and small-scale solar business installations, from 43p per kWh to just 21p per kWh. Under the proposals the new tariffs would apply to all new solar PV modules with an eligibility date on or after December 12, 2011. This has resulted in criticism from the solar industry, with one Twitter remark stating: “So you ‘consult’ until 23 Dec but cut off tariff from 12th?

Beat energy prices led inflation with microprocessor powered boiler control

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has blamed energy prices as the major factor in the highest UK inflation figures for three years. The rate of Consumer Prices Index inflation, which was introduced 14 years ago in the UK, matched its record high in September – increasing to 5.2 per cent. The ONS, which released the data, said: “By far the largest upward pressure to the change in CPI…

Computer system reviews energy expenditure for each day to keep heating costs down

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.