New Waterproof Technology Could Cut Household Energy Consumption

New waterproofing technology could help to cut energy use in homes by around 30 percent.

A silicone-based compound has been tested by scientists at the University of Portsmouth to cover the walls of a small home. They found that, in wet conditions, the amount of energy required to heat the home was reduced by around a third.

This could mean big things to homeowners in the UK, meaning that the average heating bill of a semi-detached house that already has double glazing and loft insulation could save over £100 a year. Once applied, the waterproofing is estimated to last for around 20-30 years.

The project, which cost £20,000, was part of a government competition to help find new solutions to environmental issues of residential property in the UK.

Dr Zhongyi Zhang of the University said that keeping the brickwork dry means that the insulation properties of the materials can be improved, as the water no longer cools the building. He added ‘the concept is simple but effective and should work particularly well in the UK climate and north Europe’.

Measures such as double glazing in windows are already available to help homeowners to dramatically cut the heat lost through the windows, helping them to save an average of £135 per year on their energy bills.

Keep Yourself Healthy During the Big Chill

After temperatures have been dropping as low as -20 in some parts of the UK in the last week, issues have been raised when it comes to keeping yourself healthy when it gets cold.

Experts have predicted that the number of deaths due to the cold could rise to 60,000 this year, after 40,000 last year. The cold weather makes complications such as chest infections, heart attacks and hypothermia more likely than usual.

However, there are ways in which you can help to reduce the risk, by following a few of our simple tips:

1) Avoid Catching A Cold: During the cold weather, the chances of a cold developing into something more complicated are increased. This is why you should try to avoid catching a cold by washing your hands before eating, after going to the toilet, and after you’ve been out of public. You should also try to stay active, and get a free flu jab.

2) Improve Your Circulation: During cold weather, it helps to stop smoking which can improve your circulation quickly. You should also keep your skin moisturized to reduce the chances of getting a skin infection as a result of the cold weather.

3) Help Your Heart: During the cold, your heart works harder to pump oxygen around the body. Help it out by staying warm. By installing measures such as double glazing in your windows, your home will be naturally warmer and your heating bills will cost less.

These are just some of the ways in which you can help to protect yourself from the cold this winter. Remember, always see a doctor if you are concerned about your health.

Energy Efficiency Grant Awarded to WI Hall

A grant from a leading energy company is helping people from the east Midlands how to be more energy efficient. The grant will be used to teach a course that can help consumers learn about energy efficiency of different types of materials, including cavity wall insulation and double glazing.

£4,800 was donated by E.ON from their sustainable energy fund. The money was given to the Watnall Women’s Institute (WI) Hall, and the cash will be used to install new double glazing in the windows, as well as an insulation suspended ceiling.

The benefits of adding these features to the hall means that less of the building will need to be heated. As a result, the hall will save on power and energy bills, as well as reducing their carbon emissions.

Double glazing in the windows of the hall mean that the heat that is used won’t leak through the windows so easily, making the hall more comfortable and warmer as a result.

Tony Jenkin Jones, E.ON’s community relations executive, said that the company is ‘absolutely delighted’ about awarding the funding, as it will help the WI to improve insulation of their building by reducing their carbon footprint, and saving costs, with double glazing.

Earlier in the year, E.ON launched a new channel on the video website YouTube, hoping to generate awareness and debate about energy efficiency issues in the UK.

Southend College Celebrates Completion of Major Work

Southend Adult Community College is celebrating recent completion of major building work to improve the area and its energy efficiency, as well as winning a prestigious award.

The work was designed to help improve the learning environment for the students, including double glazing windows that will help to keep classrooms warmer during the winter. New classrooms have also been added to give more space to learning students.

The college, located in Ambleside Drive, has received the Beacon status award from the Learning Skills Council due the quality of education – and is the only council-run adult community college in the UK to have done so.

The celebration will serve as the official opening of the new look building, which is 100 years old and was originally a high school for boys.

Principal of the college, Ali Hadawi, stated that ‘we are delighted to have received our Beacon status’ and added that ‘we strived to improve the student’s learning environment by fitting double glazing and opening an art gallery exhibition space’. All of these changes will work together to make the space more pleasant to work in, as well as saving on energy bills and reducing carbon emissions.

‘Green Bling’ Becoming Popular In London

Recent reports have suggested that some Londoners are more interested in the trendy side of going green, than actually taking the right steps to reduce their carbon footprint.

The report was recently published in the London Evening Standard, and states that Mayor Boris Johnson’s environmental advisor states that people are using ‘eco-bling’ rather than taking measures that will effectively reduce energy usage.

Isabel Dedring, environmental advisor, told MPs that people are spending a lot of money on the trendy and more visible signs of going green, rather than stopping heat from leaking out of homes and ultimately saving more money and reducing carbon emissions.

Dedring stated that, though loft insulation could be far more effective than installing solar panels on your roof, ‘they want the eco-bling factor’ and will install measures such as solar panels instead. On top of this, figures show that around 60-80 percent of all homes in London (out of three million) need to have a green refit.

Long term changes in home that would help to reduce heat loss include double glazing, as a large proportion of our home’s heat is ultimately lost through our windows.

However, environmental auditor Dannochadh McCarthy has claimed that the comments are unhelpful.

A new climate change programme in the city means that buildings such as colleges, hospitals and council buildings will be given help to make effective green changes, including double glazing, solar power, insulation and energy saving lighting.

Mayor Boris Johnson recently visited a fire station in Ilford where changes have been made, helping to cut down on carbon emissions by a total of 40 percent. Nine more fire stations, 22 Transport for London buildings and 10 Police Service buildings have in total achieved a £1 million saving on their bills.

Energy Efficient Home in Mottingham Wins Award

An energy efficient home in Mottingham has been credited at the annual construction awards ceremony.

The home located at Court Farm Road, Mottingham, was awarded at the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) awards. They won the green home category thanks to having renewable energy systems installed, including double glazing and cavity wall insulation, that can dramatically cut down on carbon emissions.

They were also given the George Plucknett award, given to organizations which stand out from others in all categories.

Director of major developments, Simon Chatfield, said that the awards are great recognition, and that the aim was to show how much energy it’s possible to save when using energy efficient materials.

Solar thermal panels were used on the roof to provide hot water, and solar electric panels were installed to provide some of the home’s electricity. The building is also kept as warm as possible through double glazing windows and doors as well as wall and loft insulation.

Additional eco friendly measures include a rainwater tank to collect rainwater that is then used to flush the toilets.

Mr Chatfield added that ‘we have put ourselves at the front of environmental sustainability’ and that projects in the future will also maintain the position.

The home was originally built in the 1930s, and is being monitored each day to help understand which measures work best to cut down on carbon emissions.

Boiler Scrappage Scheme Now Launched

The boiler scrappage scheme was officially launched on January 5th, after being announced in the pre-budge report of December 2009.

The scheme is aimed at helping around 125,000 people to cut down on their carbon emissions and save money on energy bills, as well as providing vital jobs to those in the plumbing and heating industry.

The scheme is aimed at households with G-rated boilers, who can now apply to the Energy Saving Trust for a £400 voucher used towards the cost of fitting an A-rated boiler, or a renewable heating system.

Installing a new energy efficient boiler can cut the average household bill by around £200-£235 each and every year, taking just a few years to pay for itself. When combined with energy saving measures such as double glazing, homes will be naturally warmer and bills can be potentially reduced by hundreds.

The government has also claimed that replacing G-rated boilers will help to save around 140,000 tonnes of CO2 a year, which is the same as taking 45,000 cars off the road.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) stated that the scheme will help to bring work to 130,000 installers as well as 25 boiler manufacturers based in the UK.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brows has said of the scheme: “Today’s announcement will slash household energy bills and carbon emissions while providing an important boost for the British heating industry.”

Britons Still Carrying Out Expensive Home Improvements

Britons are still eager to carry out a number of expensive improvements on their properties, including double glazing, despite the economic climate.

According to editor of House Beautiful magazine, Julia Goodwin, people are staying in their current homes for longer due to the economy. This is why they are seeking to improve their homes with a number of measures such as installing double glazing in their windows.

Goodwin added that everyone was tightening their belts in 2008, trying to avoid spending money. However, towards the end of 2009 and beyond, people are now planning on bigger projects for their homes. She added, “these projects include work that will add considerable value to the property such as fitting double glazing”.

Goodwin also added that people are not installing such measures simply to impress new buyers. Rather, they are improving the quality of their home for themselves as they plan to stay in it for longer.

Recent research published in Aspect Maintenance earlier stated that around 70 percent of Londoners are planning on doing work to their homes within the next 12 months.

Of those that took part in the poll, only 14 per cent stated they were doing work before selling the house once it’s completed. More often, people are making changes to their windows or insulation simply to make their homes a more comfortable place to live.

The Advantages of Living By A Noisy Road

The title of this blog post may confuse you – surely there are no advantages to living on a noisy, busy road? Whilst the noise may be less than desirable, there are a good few perks to living in a noisy area that you may not have thought of!

Your Home Will Cost Less

The number one reason why you may choose to live on a noisy road is simply because it will cost you less. Hamptons International agent Fenella Russell-Smith states that many people choose to live on a noisy road simply because they will get far more space for their money.

In total, this extra space can equate to as much as a 30 to 40 percent price drop, meaning that people can afford more bedrooms in a large house for much less.

How to Minimise the Drawbacks

There are a number of drawbacks to living on busy roads – namely the fact that there is constant noise from the traffic. However, roads are now becoming safer due to schemes involving pedestrian crossings, traffic lights and sleeping policemen.

If you want to reduce the noise of the passing traffic, then why not use some of the money you save to invest in double glazing? Double glazing creates a layer of air between two panes of glass in your windows, breaking up an soundwaves and making your home far quieter. The best news? It will cost you far less than it would cost to move to a similarly sized home in a quiet area!

The Environmental Voice of Great Britain

The Energy Saving Trust has recently appointed Piper Terrett as their ‘average Joe’ representative on environmental issues.

The role was created to last for a year, to help get the views of ordinary people heard when it comes to environmental concerns.

Piper lives on the Sunnymede estate in Billericay and has always been interested in nature. She has spoken of the fact that becoming more eco friendly is closely linked to saving money and living on a budget.

The position was made available by an Energy Saving Trust competition to become the Green Voice of the UK.

Piper will now be visiting residents across the country to get to the heart of what really matters, learning their thoughts on climate change, and helping them find out what they can do to become more eco friendly. More importantly, she will put views across to politicians.

In her hometown of Billericay, the town is currently taking part in a green campaign that seeks to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted by homes.

Measures to make your home more energy efficient include installing double glazing in the windows, which will allow you to turn down your heating as the home is naturally warmer. It’s also important to get rid of any draughts, install loft and cavity wall insulation if possible, and start implementing smaller measures such as the use of energy saving light bulbs.