Stay Informed With HeatingSave | Page 17

Crude oil prices have hit a high for the year at $75.17 a barrel today, before edging back slightly. The rally comes amidst a general sentiment in the world that the worst of the recession is over and economic output has turned the corner; with some sort of recovery on the way. Evidence of this has been a reduction in China”s declining output and the strengthening of output from some Euro Zone countries. A weakening US dollar has also made oil cheaper when purchased with other currencies – all except the UK which has seen the pound slide against the greenback.

The new coalition government is almost literally banking on the green vote as part of initiatives announced in the Queen’s speech. As well as promising a new energy bill in the next parliament, the Conservative and Liberal alliance said it would set up a green investment bank so that householders will be entitled to borrow money to pay for carbon-reducing measures. The idea is called a “pay-as-you-save” approach. Households would repay the loan using money saved through lower energy bills.

The HeatingSave House and Home system for domestic dwellings has obtained Government approval from DEFRA via the Carbon Trust. The prestigious Energy Technology List of approved products registers energy saving products that have been scientifically tested and proven to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions.

As from 1st September 2009 the manufacture and import of 100 watt and all frosted finished incandescent light bulbs will be banned in the EU as part of Europe”s bid to cut energy costs. The 100 watt light bulbs will be replaced by the energy-saving fluorescent variety. These are the compact fluorescent lamps commonly found in supermarkets. They use 80% less electricity than incandescent bulbs and last longer. The new rules will be extended to 75 watt bulbs from September 2010 and 60 watt bulbs from 2011.

Centrica, the UK”s biggest supplier of domestic energy has said that they expect the average price of home gas bills to go up from an average last year of £600 per household to over £1,000 this year. They say that gas prices are linked to the price of oil and that is the reason for increases.

People living in rented accommodations might actually be able to save up to 190 pounds on their energy bills if they switch suppliers and go for the best available deal, the latest Ofgem guidelines suggest.

One of the requirements proposed in Ofgem’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme could see households across the UK being forced to cough up an extra £195 million on their energy bills, energy efficiency surveys company EUM

Council homes in Cambridge are set to go through a massive overhaul designed to make them more energy efficient on the long term, a news report on the matter has revealed.

After receiving a fresh batch of data from the DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) regarding the consumers’ average energy use, energy market regulator Ofgem ha

Following the significant and unseasonal drop in temperatures that occurred over the past few days, more and more people are actively considering the prospect of putting on their central heating systems.

Centrica-owned British Gas, one of the UK’s most important energy suppliers, is likely to hit its 12 million customers with an estimated 8 percent price rise over the next few weeks, multiple media news sources have revealed.

A survey by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) of their 10,000 members has revealed that more than 50% of the smaller construction companies believe that the government should introduce a strict set of regulations and incentives to make sure home improvements and extensions are energy efficient.