Study Finds More Energy Efficient Homes Command a Premium Price From House Buyers

The Green Deal could be set for a boost after a government study found improving the energy efficiency of a home could increase its value.

Research by the Department of Energy and Climate Change on over 300,000 homes found that improving the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of a house could add up to £41,808 to its value.

The increase in value was different depending on the location of the property. Properties in the North-east with a EPC rating of G could expected to see price increases of 38% if improved to an A or B rating. Properties in London could expect to see a 12% price increase for the same improvement.

Energy minister Greg Barker said the study was evidence of the “huge potential rewards” of taking-up energy efficiency.

He added: “The Green Deal is helping more people make these types of home improvements, reducing high upfront costs and letting people pay for some the cost through the savings on their bills. The Green Deal is a great option for anyone wanting to improve the look, feel and potentially the value of their home.”

John Alker, director of policy at the UK Green Building Council, said the study provided “evidence that the retrofit industry has been craving for a long time”.

He added: “It also provides a timely boost for the Green Deal, which will bring down the upfront cost of a retrofit package for those who choose to use it.”

James Brooks, director at Brooks Estate Agents, said energy efficiency was become a serious concern for house buyers.

He added: “With fuel bills continuing to rise, buyers are becoming more and more conscious about the energy efficiency of their prospective new homes and are willing to invest more in a property now if they know it will cost them less to run in the future.”

Urban Energy

We are an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economical and environmentally sound green energy solutions for homes and businesses in the South West.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system i.e solar panels, to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house installation team and electrical division, it is our promise to you the customer, that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

The Granary, Phillips Lane, Stratford-sub-Castle, Salisbury SP1 3YR
Tel: 0800 2321624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Get the Most Out of Your Solar PV Installation

Installing solar PV on your home is a great way to reduce your electricity bills and your carbon footprint and there are easy ways to get the most out of your system, therefore maximising your savings and also doing your bit to help save the world! Some small lifestyle changes and planning ahead can make all the difference to your savings.

• Use appliances during the day: Solar panels work by converting the energy in sunlight into electricity. This is done mostly during optimum conditions – the daytime. Therefore by using appliances during the day, the electricity being generated is used straight away. Washing machines, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners especially use a lot of power. When using them in daylight, even a low light day will supplement the energy usage, and a sunny day may power the whole operation.

• Pull the plug: many electrical appliances run in the background when they are not switched off at the plug, and this can use more electricity than you realise. Switch off your TV, chargers, and any other items that could be running on standby.

• Stagger your electricity usage: Using electricity during the day is the most effective way to get the most out of your solar panels. However if you use everything at once, you may still be importing the extra electricity needed from the grid. Stagger your energy usage throughout the day to maximise your solar energy; and keep this in mind when setting timers too

• Generate hot water from solar: By installing a solar immersion switch alongside your solar PV system, you can use the excess electricity generated by your PV to power your immersion heater. This means that you would get as much of the free energy generated by your system as possible. The switch works with intelligent controls which react to household demand, which means that is more electricity is needed somewhere else in your home, the electricity will be diverted there.

• Monitor your electricity: you can use a system monitor to access your generation and electricity consumption. Some monitors will work with your computer, smart phone or tablet so that you can access these figures easily. By utilising this information, you can work out how much energy you are generating at a given time, and then tailor your electricity usage to this so that you only use the energy your solar is producing.

• Convert your lighting to low energy: as most lights are used at night when the PV system is not generating, it is beneficial to install low energy or LED light bulbs. This will reduce the amount of energy the light needs to power itself, which will save you money on your bills.

Some of these actions are small changes you can make to your lifestyle, and others are things that may need some investment in time or money. When this is the case, it is vital to keep in mind how much these products/actions could save you in the long run, and you can guarantee that it will be worth it.

Urban Energy

We are an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economical and environmentally sound green energy solutions for homes and businesses in the South West.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system i.e solar panels, to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house installation team and electrical division, it is our promise to you the customer, that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

The Granary, Phillips Lane, Stratford-sub-Castle, Salisbury SP1 3YR
Tel: 0800 2321624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Solar PV Myth Buster

Here we bust the top 6 myths that surround solar panels.

Myth #1: It’s too expensive.

The Reality: There are a number of government backed schemes that are designed to ease the burden on households.

The recently launched Green Deal gives families the chance to install solar panels in their homes through a loan that is paid back from the savings made on energy bills – essentially making them free – while the Feed-in Tariff (Fit) incentive scheme means that a well designed solar panel system can pay for itself in a fraction of its life span.

Myth #2: They don’t work in cloudy and cold climates.

The Reality: Energy producing technology that relies on sunlight sounds as though it might struggle somewhat in the UK, however it is the radiation from the sun rather than temperature that allows for photovoltaic generation.

Although it is true that they work better in the sunniest regions they still work effectively in cloudy conditions so there is no reason UK residents can’t enjoy the benefits of solar panels.

Myth #3: Solar panels are hard to maintain.

The Reality: With no moving parts solar panels in fact require hardly any maintenance at all.

The only thing you do need to ensure is that they stay free of dust, but as long as you live in a rainy climate such as the UK, they should stay clean.

Myth #4: The efficiency of solar panels is still too low.

The Reality: Solar panel technology is improving year-on-year, so although this may have been true when the systems first came on the market, today solar PV is an effective way of generating your domestic energy.

Myth #5: Solar panels won’t last 20 years.

The Reality: The standard accepted lifespan of solar panels is approx. 25 years, however there are some installations that were first constructed in the 1970s that are still in operation today.

Myth #6: Solar panels are unattractive.

The Reality: Of course this comes down to peoples’ own personal preferences somewhat, but modern solar panels don’t have to look unsightly, appearing more like sky lights when they are fitted flush to the roof.

Their sleek and contemporary styling will actually look right at home on many properties.

Urban Energy

We are an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economical and environmentally sound green energy solutions for homes and businesses in the South West.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system i.e solar panels, to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house installation team and electrical division, it is our promise to you the customer, that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

The Granary, Phillips Lane, Stratford-sub-Castle, Salisbury SP1 3YR
Tel: 0800 2321624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Solar Energy Can Compete

Renewables have seen such dramatic price falls in the past few years that they are threatening to upset the world as we know it and usher in an almost unprecedented boom in the spread of cheap, clean, home-produced energy.

Solar will be the cheapest form of power in many countries within just a few years. In places such as California and Italy it has already reached so-called "grid parity". Onshore wind, on a piece of land not constrained by years of planning delays, is already the cheapest form of energy on earth. These are not wild claims – those are figures from General Electric, Citibank and others.

Solar PV is a case in point. Three years ago firms were paying about €3,600 per installed kilowatt of solar capacity on barn roofs in Germany. Today it can be done for just over €1,000 – a staggering 70% fall.

Thanks to a surge in global production to 60 gWp annually, (enough to supply British households – not offices or factories – with all their electricity) solar power has dropped dramatically in price. But there is more to come. Cambridge IP, a global innovation and intellectual property firm, says there is a surge of interest and R&D into two new forms of solar power which are likely to be available commercially by the end of this decade.

Newly built solar plants are already considerably cheaper than new nuclear plants per kilowatt hour of electricity produced and because of this solar energy can and will compete head on with conventional energy.

True, there is an ongoing cost from the German government's previous support for solar, but is much lower than the subsidies pumped by the western world into nuclear, coal, oil and gas over the past decades.

Solar is starting to pay its subsidy back. Germany now has more than 30 gigaWatt peak (gWp) of solar plants installed, such that on almost all days in the spring, summer and autumn, solar energy surges into the grid at a time when demand is at is strongest (air conditioning etc) and when spot market energy prices are at their highest.

This peak price is being forced down by solar, helping to reduce wholesale prices. The big energy companies hate this because this peak is where they make their money. Solar in Germany is almost down to wholesale prices – in sunnier countries it already is.

Germany (Europe's biggest economy) now gets 25% of its electricity from renewables – a proportion that is increasing by the month. This is twice the level of the UK, although, interestingly, similar to that of Scotland on its own. Germany is also leading on figuring out how to overcome the problems of "intermittency" by storing renewable energy.

Urban Energy

We are an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economical and environmentally sound green energy solutions for homes and businesses in the South West.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system i.e solar panels, to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house installation team and electrical division, it is our promise to you the customer, that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

The Granary, Phillips Lane, Stratford-sub-Castle, Salisbury SP1 3YR
Tel: 0800 2321624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

PowerRouter – Self-Generating Solar Energy

The PowerRouter is the ideal solution for the use of self-generated solar power (self-use). Why sell your surplus energy to the grid at a lower price, when you can store it for later use and receive a higher incentive for generating and using your own solar energy? Just connect solar energy and batteries to the PowerRouter and monitor and control where and when you use it. The PowerRouter allows you to optimize, control and manage yourself-generated energy. The PowerRouter is perfectly equipped to make the most efficient use of the self-use regulations. Use your own energy whenever you need it most.

http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/solar-energy/self-generating-solar-energy/


Urban Energy

We are an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economical and environmentally sound green energy solutions for homes and businesses in the South West.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system i.e solar panels, to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house installation team and electrical division, it is our promise to you the customer, that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

The Granary, Phillips Lane, Stratford-sub-Castle, Salisbury SP1 3YR
Tel: 0800 2321624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Urban Energy Investment Calculator

Calculate the investment returns for yourself using our on-line calculator:

http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/help-desk/

Urban Energy

We are an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economical and environmentally sound green energy solutions for homes and businesses in the South West.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system i.e solar panels, to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house installation team and electrical division, it is our promise to you the customer, that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

The Granary, Phillips Lane, Stratford-sub-Castle, Salisbury SP1 3YR
Tel: 0800 2321624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Solar Feed in Tariffs from November 2012

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced that it's official deployment figures for the period from the 1st May 2012 to the 31st July 2012 are available to the public. This announcement is particularly significant, as it is these figures that will determine what the solar Feed-in Tariff rates are from November.

DECC has split installations into 3 size-based categories. Domestic scale installations (0-10kW), have totalled 164MW of capacity in the 3 month period. This falls within the 100-200MW threshold and so a 3.5% reduction will be implemented on the two tariff bands within this category. ≤4kW installations will receive 15.44p per kWh produced (down from 16p) and the >4-10kW rate will be 13.99p (down from 14.5p) from November 1st.

Small commercial installations (10-50kW) hit 57MW. The threshold here was just 50MW and so a 3.5% degression will also affect these tariff rates. As of November, the >10-50kW FIT rate will be 13.03p/kWh down from 13.5p.

The final category, large commercial installations (50kW-5MW), capacity only reached 14MW, which is less than the degression threshold. As a result the tariffs for larger installations will remain untouched, at least until February 2013.

Urban Energy

We are an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economical and environmentally sound green energy solutions for homes and businesses in the South West.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system i.e solar panels, to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house installation team and electrical division, it is our promise to you the customer, that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

The Granary, Phillips Lane, Stratford-sub-Castle, Salisbury SP1 3YR
Tel: 0800 2321624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Energy Performance Certificate

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC):

An EPC is an energy efficiency assessment of your home or business dwelling; all properties require one when they are built, sold or rented. Like appliances, they are rated from A to G with 'A' being the highest level of efficiency. They contain information about the current performance of your property and give you a rank based on this. They also make recommendations about measures you could introduce to make your home more efficient, reduce your carbon emissions and boost your rating. D is the average rating for houses in the UK; it is estimated that around 50% of houses are below this level.

In the main, your EPC rating will be based on a few key factors:

•              When your property was built.

•              Whether the property is insulated and to what degree.

•              How modern the heating system is and what fuel is used.

•              The property's ventilation characteristics.

Why you need one:

From 20 March 2012, the Feed-in Tariff rules require level 'D' Energy Performance Certificates.

From April, customers installing solar PV will be required to produce an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of a minimum of level D in order to claim the full feed-in tariff rate of 21p/kWh. Those who do not supply this as part of their FIT application will receive a lower tariff (9p/kWh) for the full duration of the tariff lifetime.

How to get one:

Urban Energy have fully trained EPC assessors. We offer an EPC survey as part of our installation package, however should you require just the EPC assessment; we are able to provide you with this service for a fee of £65.00.

                              

How is the assessment carried out:

During the assessment you can make it easier for your assessor by telling him about any energy saving measures you have installed. If you have had cavity insulation it's not always easy to see without knowing it's there and it could mean you get a lower rating than you deserve.

It is also worth noting that, in some cases, installing a solar PV or solar thermal system will boost your rate enough to raise your EPC level to a D. We will let you know if this is the case for your property. It should be noted that a property must already have an EPC rating of D or above to achieve the higher tariff for PV installations.

Urban Energy

Urban Energy has earned a reputation as the south’s leading renewable energy specialist. This has been achieved by ensuring that from the initial point of client contact we offer 1st class customer service and care.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

Our experienced surveyors can carry out a free, no obligation survey of your house or business that can help you save thousands of £’s per annum. We have our own fully qualified installers, electricians and plumbers who oversee every aspect of every installation.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house electrical and plumbing division it is our promise to you the customer that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

Eco Barn Showroom now open: 10.00 – 5.00 Monday to Friday and 10.00 – 4.00 Saturday

Call us on: 0800 232 1624 or 01722 335 322
Email us at: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Urban Energy Electrical ltd

Urban Energy Electrical Ltd has assimilated over 40 years of experience of all aspects of electrical installation and design.

All electrical work is undertaken to the highest standard, and fully in accordance with the guidelines set out by the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) and the 17th Edition Electrical Regulations BS7671 (2008).

Urban Energy Electrical Ltd is proud to have built up the high profile client list including a large domestic client base, local businesses, schools, churches and hospitals all of which receive and benefit from our service range.

Urban Energy Electrical Ltd offer a first class professional service where customer care is our number one priority. We understand that communication is key to offering a first class service. Our in house customer liaison team ensures that every client has a designated administrative officer who will take ownership of the work. This means that clear concise communication will occur at all times between the Urban Energy office and you our valued customer.

Urban Energy Electrical Ltd offers:

• Free friendly advice

• Extensive experience

• Professional and reliable service

• Free no obligation quotations

• Careful and clean installation

• Excellent aftercare service

• All domestic, commercial, agricultural and industrial installation, repair and maintenance

• High quality Solar PV installations

• Periodic inspection reports for landlords and businesses

• Portable Appliance Testing for domestic and business premises

• Fire alarm and emergency lighting installation, repair and maintenance

• Specialist church lighting, heating and power design#

***Come and join us on Saturday 28th April for our Family Fun Day at our new Eco Barn at Stratford-sub-Castle***

For further information about Urban Energy products and services:

Call: 0800 232 1624

Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/

FITs Review - Consultation

On 7 February 2011, the Government announced the first comprehensive review of the Feed-in tariffs (FITs) scheme for small-scale low-carbon electricity generation.

A principal objective of the review was to determine how the efficiency of FITs will be improved to deliver £40 million of savings, around 10%, in 2014/15.

A consultation has now been launched on Phase I and will run until 23 December 2011.

The proposals are subject to an eight-week consultation period. If implemented, they would introduce a new tariff for schemes up to 4kW in size of 21.0p/kWh – down from the current 43.3p/kWh. Reduced rates are also proposed for schemes between 4kW and 250kW, to ensure that those schemes receive a consistent rate of return. The table of proposed tariffs is below.

Band (kW)	Current (p/kWh)	Proposed (p/kWh)
≤4kW (new build)	37.8	21.0
≤4kW (retrofit)	43.3	21.0
>4-10kW	37.8	16.8
>10-50kW	32.9	15.2
>50-100kW	19	12.9
>100-150kW	19	12.9
>150-250kW	15	12.9
>250kW-5MW	8.5	8.5*
stand alone	8.5	8.5*

Under the proposals, the new tariffs would apply to all new solar PV installations with an eligibility date on or after 12 December 2011. Such installations would receive the current tariff before moving to the lower tariffs on 1 April 2012. Consumers who already receive a FIT will see their existing payments unchanged, and those with an eligibility date on or before 11 December 2011 will receive the current rate. Click on the link to take part in the consultation:

consultation

Urban Energy

Urban Energy are delighted that nearly half the population would like to install renewable energy technologies; what worries us is the lack of awareness surrounding it. To bridge the Green Gap it’s essential we continue to educate consumers and break down some of the myths surrounding the Green Deal, energy efficiency and microgeneration.

Urban Energy has earned a reputation as the south’s leading renewable energy specialist. This has been achieved by ensuring that from the initial point of client contact we offer 1st class customer service and care.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house electrical and plumbing division it is our promise to you the customer that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

For further information about Urban Energy products and services:

Call: 0800 232 1624

Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/

Energy efficiency and renewable energy subsidies

The government wants to encourage everyone to think about how they can pay less on fuel - a pretty sensible idea when energy bills are rising and fuel poverty is on the increase.

It also wants to reduce the UK's carbon emissions to help it meet stringent and legally-binding climate change targets.

One way it is looking to achieve both these aims is by offering incentives for people to become more efficient in the way they use energy, and by encouraging them to start generating their own.

There are three main subsidies on offer.

Renewable Heat Premium Repayment

Under the Renewable Heat Premium Repayment (RHPR), anyone living in England, Scotland or Wales can claim a voucher to help pay for renewable energy generation in their home:

Solar panels to heat water - £300

Air source heat pump, which extracts heat from the outside air - £850

Ground source heat pump, which extracts heat from the ground - £1,250

Biomass boiler, which burns wood to provide heat and/or hot water - £950.

Every household is allowed to apply for one voucher per technology.

The scheme runs until the end of March next year.

Anyone can apply for solar panel funding, and if you do not use gas as your main heating fuel, you can apply for air and ground source pumps and biomass boilers.

So far, the scheme, which began at the beginning of August, has issued almost £2m worth of vouchers. It will be reviewed at £10m.

The Energy Savings Trust (EST), which is a charity offering advice on how best to take advantage of the subsidies on offer, is managing the scheme and can be contacted on 0800 512 012.

The RHPR was designed as an interim measure to keep momentum in the push for energy efficiency, and will be replaced in the autumn of next year with the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Feed-in tariffs

These subsidies, also available only in England, Scotland and Wales, mean you get paid for the electricity you generate from renewable sources - both the power that you use and that which you export to the national grid - up to a maximum of five megawatts.

They cover a number of different technologies, including solar panels, wind turbines, anaerobic digestion, combined heat and power and hydroelectricity.

The so-called big six energy suppliers - British Gas, EDF, E.On, nPower, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern - are required by law to pay you for the energy you generate, but some smaller providers are not. There are 21 registered providers in total.

Feed-in tariffs are designed to benefit you in three ways:

You will be paid a set amount for each unit of electricity you generate, depending on the technology you have installed, and these are set for the full term of the tariff - between 10 and 25 years. Rates are also linked to inflation

You will receive an additional set payment for every unit that you sell back to the national grid, regardless of the technology you are using

Obviously your energy bills will be lower as you will have to buy less electricity from the grid.

All plant and contractors will need to be properly certified for you to qualify for the scheme.

Boiler scrappage scheme

This scheme has closed in England and Wales but is still open in Scotland.

Homeowners can receive up to £400 towards the cost of upgrading an old boiler to a more modern, energy-efficient alternative.

As long as you use a certified boiler and installer, you can claim back the money by sending a completed scheme voucher and invoice for the works to the EST.

Grants and discounts

The are numerous other grants and offers available, many of which relate to insulation, which is seen as the most cost-effective way of reducing energy use, especially when you consider that more than 10 million homes in the UK have lofts that are under-insulated.

Some of these are offered on a local authority level, so will vary depending on where you live. The EST has a webpage which highlights relevant offers depending on your postcode.

Urban Energy

Urban Energy are delighted that nearly half the population would like to install renewable energy technologies; what worries us is the lack of awareness surrounding it. To bridge the Green Gap it’s essential we continue to educate consumers and break down some of the myths surrounding the Green Deal, energy efficiency and microgeneration.

Urban Energy has earned a reputation as the south’s leading renewable energy specialist. This has been achieved by ensuring that from the initial point of client contact we offer 1st class customer service and care.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house electrical and plumbing division it is our promise to you the customer that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

For further information about Urban Energy products and services:

Call: 0800 232 1624

Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/

Five Ways to Cut Energy Bills

The political battle over energy bills intensified after David Cameron met with the main energy providers in the UK to discuss ways that households could save money on fuel this winter.

But consumer groups say that the plans discussed, such as setting up a new government website with advice on the cheapest tariffs and clearer bills, will add little to the existing options.

Since 2004 the average annual bill for a duel-fuel energy customer has risen by 117 per cent, to £1,293.

Providers say that they are simply passing on the increase in wholesale energy prices, which were pushed up this year after unrest in the Middle East and the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan.

Five of the largest energy companies in the UK: SSE, Scottish Power, E.ON, npower and British Gas have promised to hold prices steady until next year. In the meantime, there are a number of ways that households can act now to save money on gas and electricity bills.

● Switch tariff and pay by direct debit – save £350

The government has warned that consumers are confused by the sheer scale of tariffs available and are not given the correct information by providers about the cheapest deals available.

Scottish Power, for example, has the most expensive standard plan on the market at the moment. Its dual-fuel tariff, which consumers pay on receipt of the bill, costs on average £1,391 a year. If customers switched to the same company’s Online Energy Saver 16 plan, an online-only offer, they would pay £1,045 – saving themselves £346. (These figures are based on a user consuming 3,300 kWh electricity and 16,500 kWh gas each year).

Despite the size of savings on offer, Ofgem says that only 15 per cent of households switched their gas supplier last year, and only a fraction more changed their electricity provider.

Consumer groups say this may be down to the complexity of tariffs, rather than inertia.

And providers don’t always make it easy to move. After a provider announces a price increase, consumers have just 30 days to switch their supplier. If they want to move after this, they may find themselves slapped with a £50 exit fee.

● Insulate your home – save between £175-£300

Installing insulation to stop heat escaping through the roof costs between £50 and £350 and could save the average non-insulated three-bedroom semi-detached house £175 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Even if a house already has insulation of 100mm thickness, topping it up to the recommended 270mm could save an extra £25 each year.

Homes built before 1920 may find they have a gap between their inner and outer walls. Filling this could snip another £135 from annual bills.

Some companies, such as British Gas, offer free loft and cavity wall insulation, so check with your provider before you get a quote.

● Use an energy monitor – save £135

Energy monitors are cheap, wireless gadgets that check how much energy you are using – they won’t make an automatic difference to your bill but they can help households understand where they might be able to make a saving.

The average monitor costs about £40 and some providers such as E.ON and npower offer free monitors with certain tariffs, although these are not always the cheapest deals available.

Energy monitors should not be confused with smart meters, which send accurate energy use information to providers and are the gizmos that the government wants all homes to have by 2020.

● Turn down the thermostat, switch boiler, install glazing, replace lightbulbs – save between £50-£450

Making a series of changes to your home, not all of them expensive, can dramatically cut the size of your fuel bill. Official government figures say that reducing the temperature in rooms by 1C can cut heating bills by 10 per cent, and turning off radiators in rooms that aren’t used can save another £50 or so on average.

The EU has already banned incandescent lightbulbs in favour of low-energy bulbs but opting for the most energy-efficient products on the market can trim about £11 from the average bill, according to green campaigners.

For a little more outlay homeowners can save even more. Fitting energy-efficient glazing on windows should save the average home £165 a year. The cost will differ according to the number of windows and their size but will often start at about £3,000. Those thinking of replacing their old boiler with a condensing boiler will spend £500 more but could save £300 each year, although some users have reported problems with frozen pipes in winter.

● Install renewable energy – save between £70-£1,200

The unpopular hikes in energy bills this year threaten to derail the government’s plan to spend £200m on renewable energy infrastructure, which would also be passed on to customers. But for the moment, subsidies for those who adopt green energy sources remain intact.

Households that install solar panels, wind turbines or hydroelectricity systems are all eligible for the government’s feed-in tariff scheme, whereby your energy supplier pays you for the electricity you generate.

A typical domestic solar electricity system with an installation size of 2.9kWp could earn about £1,200 a year from the government, in addition to any reduction in energy bills that the system generates.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change will be reviewing feed-in tariffs before the end of 2011.

Urban Energy

Urban Energy are delighted that nearly half the population would like to install renewable energy technologies; what worries us is the lack of awareness surrounding it. To bridge the Green Gap it’s essential we continue to educate consumers and break down some of the myths surrounding the Green Deal, energy efficiency and microgeneration.

Urban Energy has earned a reputation as the south’s leading renewable energy specialist. This has been achieved by ensuring that from the initial point of client contact we offer 1st class customer service and care.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house electrical and plumbing division it is our promise to you the customer that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

For further information about Urban Energy products and services:

Call: 0800 232 1624

Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/

Automotive Manufacturers Race to Corner Green Market

Nissan will produce a plug-in hybrid vehicle as part of its on-going efforts to become the world leader in low-carbon motoring by 2016.

The manufacturer launched its new five-year environmental plan today, reiterating its goal of selling 1.5 million electric cars by 2016 and introducing new targets to improve fuel economy across its fleet by 35 per cent against 2005 levels, reduce CO2 emissions per vehicle produced by 20 per cent, and increase the use of recycled materials to 25 per cent by the same date.

"More consumers are demanding products in line with their values, including cars and trucks with a lower carbon footprint," Carlos Ghosn, Nissan president and chief executive, said in a statement. "At the same time, we are using technology to make our factories greener and more efficient."

More than 16,000 LEAF electric cars have been sold worldwide to date and the Japanese company, along with French partner Renault, plans to add another three electric models to its fleet by the end of fiscal year 2017.

Nissan also said it aims to release a new plug-in hybrid and lead the development of an all-new fuel cell electric vehicle in conjunction with Daimler.

Toyota announced over the weekend that it will produce hybrid vehicles and key components in China by 2015 as it bids to close ground on GM and Nissan, which will respectively launch the Chevrolet Volt and the LEAF in the country over the next few months.

Volkswagen, also popular in China, is similarly set to begin local production of pure electric cars in 2013 or 2014.

The plug-in version of the Prius is expected to be available in China from 2013, and Akio Toyoda, Toyota's president, told reporters that a pure electric vehicle would also be launched that year. This is likely to be an electric version of its RAV 4 compact SUV.

Urban Energy

Urban Energy are delighted that nearly half the population would like to install renewable energy technologies; what worries us is the lack of awareness surrounding it. To bridge the Green Gap it’s essential we continue to educate consumers and break down some of the myths surrounding the Green Deal, energy efficiency and microgeneration.

Urban Energy has earned a reputation as the south’s leading renewable energy specialist. This has been achieved by ensuring that from the initial point of client contact we offer 1st class customer service and care.

We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.

We understand that introducing a renewable energy system to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house electrical and plumbing division it is our promise to you the customer that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.

For further information about Urban Energy products and services:

Call: 0800 232 1624

Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk

Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/