Latest Gas and Electricity news from UK Power

'Robin Hood tax' could help make homes more energy efficient

2010-02-12 16:10:13 +0000

A 'Robin Hood tax' on all transactions between financial institutions that has been proposed by a coalition of charities, unions and aid agencies could help make homes more energy efficient.

It is anticipated that the tax will raise up to £250 billion a year to help tackle climate change, fight poverty and protect public services.

According to the campaigner's website: "The UK poverty-fighting charities who are supporting the Robin Hood tax have highlighted tackling child poverty, reforming the welfare system, investing in affordable housing and making homes more energy-efficient as the key issues to be tackled."

Oxfam, Barnardo's, The Salvation Army and ActionAid are among the organisations that are calling for support for the levy on financial dealings between banks.

An online campaign has just been launched in the UK starring actor Bill Nighy to try to gather support for the tax, which will see money split between domestic services and international development projects.

By making homes more energy efficient in an effort to tackle climate change, the tax will also help households to save money on their energy bills.

Cutting energy bills is a concern of businesses as well as homes, according to a recent survey carried out by the Carbon Trust.

From the survey of over 700 business people across the UK, energy prices was found to be the greatest worry.

Finding the cheapest energy provider 'crucial as more people ask for help with heating bills'

2010-02-11 17:10:14 +0000

An increase has been seen in the number of people that are asking for help with their fuel bills, according to an investigation by the Oxford Mail.

Between April and December last year, the Citizens Advice Bureau saw 682 people in Oxfordshire struggled to find money to pay their energy bills.

This is up from 468 that the bureau found asking for help in the same period the previous year.

According to the Oxford Mail, families were already saying that they are struggling to pay for their gas and electricity before the heavy snowfall last month.

Sharon Brown, who lives with her husband and three-month old daughter in Carterton, revealed that her last quarterly gas bill topped £150 and her electricity bill was £60 for four months.

"We both go without everything else that we used to buy, like clothes. I have got a lot of maternity clothes I'm still wearing, as I just can't afford new clothes," Ms Brown told the paper.

Guide2Bristol reported that local double glazing companies may be able to help in reducing energy bills by fitting energy-saving UPVC windows and doors.

Cheaper energy bills motivate homeowners to cut their carbon emissions

2010-02-10 17:10:14 +0000

Most consumers are encouraged to increase the energy efficiency of their homes to slash their energy bills, the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has revealed.

According to head of knowledge services for the EST Paula Owen, over three-quarters of home owners have mentioned cheaper fuel bills as a reason behind them cutting their household's carbon footprint.

"Around £8 billion of energy is wasted in the UK every year because of homes that are poorly insulated, have inefficient or poorly controlled heating systems and use electricity unnecessarily," she explained.

Measures that can be taken to cut emissions and household bills include replacing old boilers and not leaving TVs and computers on standby.

According to the EST, increased energy efficiency through measures such as insulation and improving heating systems can save homes £300 a year.

This is equivalent to an average saving of around 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide per household.

As £8 billion of energy is wasted every year in the UK due to poor energy efficiency in homes it is important to make sure that homeowners carry out the necessary actions to make their house more efficient as well as shopping around for the best deals on energy prices.

Make long and short-term plans to make your home energy efficient

2010-02-09 16:10:13 +0000

Consumers' energy use is mainly caused by the heating and cooling of households, with the recent cold weather causing even more energy to be used.

However, there are many effective ways that energy bills can be reduced, Macon.com's Jan Baggarly writes.

Both long and short-term plans should be made to help to reduce the amount of energy used and as a result cut the household's bills too.

An energy audit of the home is important, Ms Baggarly points out. This involves checking the insulation levels in attics, exterior and basement walls, ceilings and floors.

Holes and cracks around windows, doors, walls, ceilings and switches should also be checked for, as they can leak air into or out of the homes.

Ms Baggarly also recommends installing a programmable thermostat to help keep the house at a comfortable temperature.

Changing air filters on a regular basis can also help, as can ensuring that air vents are not blocked.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the recent big freeze meant that UK households would face larger energy costs. This makes it even more important to carry out energy saving measures and also shop around for the best deal on energy prices.

Richard Eden of energy price comparison service www.ukpower.co.uk said that as well as energy efficiency measures, savings of more than 20 per cent may be available to some households simply by comparing suppliers prices and switching to cheaper tariffs.

Businesses too can save up to 50 per cent just by checking prices at www.ukpower.co.uk/business

British Gas cuts could start price war

2010-02-05 18:10:15 +0000

Households should think about switching gas and electricity supplier following the announcement that one of the big six firms is to slash prices, according to Consumer Focus.

The group said the claim made by British Gas that it will be cutting the price of gas for the average customer by seven per cent may prompt other suppliers to do the same.

Audrey Gallacher, of Consumer Focus, said: "People should use the British Gas cut as a trigger to check they're getting the best possible deal - thinking about switching, making sure they're on the right tariff and getting the right advice on energy efficiency."

She added that "companies should have passed on wholesale price cuts before winter" to give the highest benefits to customers.

Under proposals from British Gas, customers could see their bills drop by an average of £55 per year. The company claims that price reductions over the past few months have seen bills decrease by £187.

Richard Eden, from energy price comparison website ukpower.co.uk, also added that consumers should be checking for online tariffs.

These tariffs are generally far more competitive than the standard tariffs even with the price cuts. Customers could save up to 25 per cent on their bills, depending on region.