James Alcock
The Warm Homes Plan released today!
The Warm Homes Plan was officially unveiled this morning as the UK Government’s flagship initiative to transform home energy efficiency, slash energy bills, tackle fuel poverty, and drive progress toward net zero emissions. With a commitment of £15 billion in…
Is it still worth getting EWI installed in 2026?
Over the last 18 months, the retrofit sector — particularly schemes like ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) — became a political hot potato. A damning National Audit Office (NAO) report in late 2025 highlighted systemic failures: 98%…
What Is The Best Type Of External Wall Insulation?
External wall insulation is still one of the most popular ways to insulate a home. It’s perfect for solid wall buildings, where cavity insulation is impossible and internal insulation would mean sacrificing too much space. It’s also a chance to…
Read This Before Installing a Heat Pump
Read This Before Installing a Heat Pump In June last year, I moved into a new property in Oxfordshire. The house, I guess, could be considered a new build since it was built in the last couple of years, and…
What is the best way to draught-proof a chimney?
When we think of fireplaces, we think of them warming us up, not cooling us down. It’s true that fireplaces can be one of the best ways to heat a home. Although burning wood is not the cleanest and certainly…
Why are my walls so cold?
It’s the chilly season, and we all know that means it’s time to turn up the thermostat and warm up our homes. But what if your walls seem to be leaching the heat from the room? What is the cause…
Saving Energy in an Old House
Energy efficiency and saving energy in old houses is a notoriously difficult thing to do, especially in the UK where the weather is changable and old house can mean VERY old house. So where do we even start with the…
Converting my shed into a home office
One of the major results of COVID-19 has been the huge increase in demand for home offices. With more and more of us working from home, the home office is the perfect solution to help separate home life from work…
Have you got a cold conservatory? Here’s how you can fix it!
A conservatory can be a great addition to your home, but it can also bring problems. It can be difficult to know how to heat it, and the fact it is built from glass means it doesn’t retain heat well. Aside…
Air Source Heat Pumps are definitely not the answer!
It is clear from Government policy, that they are intent on pushing electric heating in homes in the UK. This is despite 85% of us using gas central heating systems to provide the heating for our homes as well as…
Are Fire Pits Bad for the Environment?
As summer approaches, most people are enjoying spending more time outdoors. While many of us dream of an alfresco dinner, we are often let down by good old British weather. A run of warm weather can quickly be replaced by…
How to Save the Planet with the Clothes You Wear
The production of fashion accounts for 10% of the worlds carbon emissions. Clothing is a big part of our daily lives, however in retrospect it is an even bigger part of the climate emergency happening right now. For you to…
How to Save Water for your Garden in the Summer
We are now entering another Summer, and if this year is anything like last year it’s set to be a scorcher! With those sunny and hot days to come, water then becomes an even more precious commodity, especially if we…
Clean Heat Grant to Replace the Renewable Heat Incentive
What is the Renewable Heat Incentive? The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a Government scheme that was introduced in 2011 to replace the Low Carbon Building Programme. Its aim is to encourage people to invest in renewable forms of heating, by paying them…
Tesla Powerwall Working in Combination with Solar PV
With a 90% efficiency rate, the Tesla Powerwall is a leading technology being used in homes to save energy by working in sync with solar PV systems. Solar PV is a renewable energy source for many homes across the world,…
The Energy Price Cap
Big news today – OFGEM, the government regulator for gas and electricity markets in Great Britain, have announced there is going to be an increase in the energy price cap, meaning higher energy bills for all. This increase in the…
Reducing Food Waste in the UK
The basics of reducing food waste Reducing food wastage brings several key benefits, including saving money, reduced environmental impact and energy and resource conservation. In the UK, food wastage is a huge problem and sadly the issue seems to be…
Getting External Wall Insulation installed with the Green Home Grant Voucher
The Green Home Grant Voucher scheme is an extremely generous Government backed scheme giving homeowners the opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their homes by adding new insulation technologies or renewable heating systems. The scheme will cover 2/3 of…
The new Green Homes Grant
A new Government scheme launching in September will help homeowners in England improve the energy efficiency of their properties via a £5,000 grant. The grant can be used for a whole range of energy saving improvements including double-glazing, loft insulation,…
Warm Home Discount 2020/2021
What is the Warm Home Discount? The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme which designed to help vulnerable and low income households handle the costs of heating during the winter months. It’s a one-off lump sum payment, and it’s…
How do storage heaters work?
We’ve talked a lot about storage heaters here at the Green Age, but we know that a lot of people still have a lot of questions about how storage heaters work. If you haven’t used them before, they can certainly…
How To Make Home Energy Improvements When You’re Renting
MEES: Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Since 2007, every property being let (or sold) in the UK has been required by law to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). A trained and registered EPC assessor collects information on heating systems, insulation,…
Why is my electricity bill so high?
We all know that feeling of dread when the electric bill comes in and you have to face up to exactly what your household has been using recently. What’s worse than a huge electricity bill, though, is not knowing why…
What is the best kind of brick bond?
What is the best kind of brick bond? Brick bonds are the name given to the different patterns that bricks can be laid in. It’s necessary to offset rows of bricks to avoid a continuous verticle line of mortar, which…
Do smart homes save you money?
Smart meters There is a lot of rhetoric around smart meters that relates the government rollout of smart meters to halting climate change, but how can a system that measures how much energy you use, change how much energy you…
Should I Get External Wall Insulation When Re-Rendering?
A houses render is the covering that gives the building its external look. Over time, render cracks, flakes, and needs to be replaced. Increasingly, people are realising that this is the ideal time to add insulation to their properties to…
Should I get hydropower for my home?
Hydropower has a long history, being one of the first technologies ever developed to produce predictable, virtually labour free energy. Originally used for mills and grinding flour hydropower has come a long way and is now an important part of…
Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies
What is a Renewable Energy Feasibility Study (REFS)? A Renewable Energy Feasibility Study is used to provide an analysis of the best heating or microgeneration renewables for your particular needs. When looking into the various options of small-scale renewable energy…
The 10 Best Climate Change Books 2020
1. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate Forget everything you think you know about global warming. It’s not about carbon – it’s about capitalism. The good news is that we can seize this crisis to transform our failed economic…
25 Easy Ways To Help Save The Planet
Stop buying bottled water. Get a reusable one like this instead. Turn off your lights when you’re not in the room. Get a water butt to collect rainwater for all your gardening – it’s actually better for your plants too.…
A Guide to Daylighting
What is Daylighting? Daylighting is the name for when natural light is manipulated to help light a building in order to reduce energy use. Windows, skylights, and reflective surfaces are used to channel natural light to create a sustainable light…
How to: Eco-Friendly Cocktails
As we’re all getting more conscious of our carbon footprint ad the impact of how we live, a lot of people are changing up their diets. Vegan options are now bigger than ever, while local produce is becoming more popular…
RHI Eligibility for Air Source Heat Pumps
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a government-run scheme designed to get more people investing in renewable energy. There are thousands of eligible product models eligible to claim the RHI, as long as they follow certain rules. Here we’ll let…
What Renewable Tech Should I Invest In?
What is a Renewable Energy Feasibility Study (REFS)? A Renewable Energy Feasibility Study is used to provide an analysis of the best heating or microgeneration renewables for your particular needs. When looking into the various options of small-scale renewable energy…
How should the UK fight climate change?
Climate change is all over the news, with Extinction Rebellion continuing, Greta Thunberg making headlines, and billionaires investing in green tech. We all want the government to do something about our carbon footprint as a country, but not one seems…
Why aren’t we generating energy from the Severn?
In this new age of renewables and increasing emphasis on green energy, it seems completely mad to a lot of people that one of the UK’s most powerful resources is going untapped. As an island nation, surely we should be…
Earth Day 2020
What is Earth Day? Earth Day is an annual celebration and series of international events aimed at bringing attention and awareness to global environmental challenges. It’s part of the Earth Day network in 193 different countries the world over. It’s…
Does Carbon Offsetting Work?
What is Carbon Offsetting? Carbon offsetting is essentially the idea that you can “make up for” the carbon you release into the atmosphere by funding a project that reduces the overall amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. What kind…
Edible Flower Gardens: A Beginners Guide
The way we eat has been changing a lot lately. We’re more concious than ever of what we put into our food, how we consider our diets, and the affect that we have on the wider environment. One thing we…
How will the oil crisis affect my fuel bills?
It’s no secret that the world is in a very vulnerable state at the moment. Coronvirus and the spread of Covid-19 has seen stocks crash, businesses collapse, and whole industries in a state of panic. The price of oil has…
What are the problems with electric boilers?
Why get an electric boiler? Most electric heating system plug straight into your electricity supply and use internal heating elements to provide warmth. His can be an effective way to heat your home but doesn’t tackle water heating. Additionally, if…
Could you get £30 for switching energy supplier?
Is switching a good idea? We’ve all heard that we should be switching suppliers, but why? It seems like a bit of an inconvenience if there’s no good reason for it. Why is everyone always talking about switching energy supplier?…
Will Coronavirus affect my energy bills?
It seems that Coronavirus is all anyone is able to to talk about at the moment, and it’s easy to see why. In a matter of weeks the virus has seen an unprecedented change to the way of life for…
The Energy Cost of Data Centres
What are data centres? Well, they’re exactly what they sound like – storage and processing facilities for digital data. They’re what make the internet work, essentially. Data centres require energy for a lot of things. Not only do the servers…
A Guide to Hotel EPC Certificates
What is an EPC? Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) were first introduced by the government in 2007, to present accurate representations of how energy efficient different properties are. This is especially important in the UK, where the housing stock can be…
Best Eco-Friendly Gifts Under £20
Glass drinking straws Classy glass straws, for the perfect plastic-free cocktail hour. Eco organic bed linens Mitre have created a range of bed linens made from environmentally friendly 100% organic cotton. Lush. Coloured LED Edison bulbs These beautiful lights come…
EPCs and Floor Plans
What is an EPC? Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) were first introduced by the government in 2007, to present accurate representations of how energy efficient different properties are. This is especially important in the UK, where the housing stock can be…
What Are Gravity Batteries?
In today’s changing energy landscape and increasing use of renewable energy, it’s becoming more and more important for us to find ways of storing energy for later use. The problem with renewable energy like wind and solar, is that at…
What is auto-switching energy bills?
Auto-switching is a modern, time and money-saving way to manage your household bills and ensure that you don’t end up on excessively high charges. What is auto-switching? When you sign up to an energy tariff, the terms of the contract…
Can I get an Ovo Energy write-off or refund?
Ovo, the UK’s largest independent energy supplier has been caught incorrectly charging customers, and is being made to shell out £8.9 million. What did Ovo do wrong? Between 2015 and 2018, over half a million customers were sent inaccurate statements…
Are Wood Burning Stoves Being Banned?
Wood burning stoves are one of the oldest and most characterful ways to heat a home, filling an estimated 1.5 million UK homes – a number that is growing every year. With so much political upheaval and changes in environmental…
Should I Join London Power?
What is London Power? London Power is a newly announced green energy company, exclusively available to Londoners. The venture is a partnership between Sadiq Khan and Octopus Energy. London Power is promising quite a bit to potential new customers: Fair…
What is a MEES report and when do I need one?
If you’re a property owner then you might have heard of MEES reports, and you’ve probably heard of EPCs. Although they’re important terms if you own any buildings in the UK, a lot of people aren’t quite sure what they…
What Can We Do About Plastic Pollution?
Plastic is one of the biggest issues facing us as a species. Globally, eight million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean each year – that’s equivalent to a rubbish truckful every minute. If nothing changes, plastic in the ocean may…
Big Energy Saving Week 2020: How To Save Money!
Big Energy Saving Week 2020 is in full swing! We created some graphics for some of our favourite tips to conserve energy, cut your bills, and save you money. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that they…
Big Energy Saving Week 2020: Where Can I Get Advice on Saving Energy?
Big Energy Saving Week 2020 is a national campaign run by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in partnership with Citizens Advice, created to raise awareness of energy use and make the public aware of ways to cut…
A Guide to Domestic Wind Turbines
Wind turbines allow you to produce 100% clean, free electricity. For the majority of people living in suburban settings, wind doesn’t make as much sense as solar energy, but if your home is in an exposed windy area, and you…
10 Best Eco-Friendly Gifts for Nerds
1. Circuit Board Cufflinks Nothing says ‘I’ve got a fancy event to go to but I also need to express my love of central processing units’ like circuit board cufflinks. These ones by ReComputing are made from recycled computer parts…
Guide to Energy Tariffs 2020
Energy tariffs – which one are you on, which one should you be on, and what is actually the difference? Standard rate energy tariffs The standard tariff, also known as a ‘default’ tariff, has a variable rate, which means it…
5 Unusual Ways to Become Eco-Friendlier
It’s difficult to deny that climate change is happening. Sea levels are on the rise, the weather has become wildly unpredictable, and we are starting to see water shortages across the globe. Only by changing attitudes and becoming eco-friendlier as…
The GreenAge is back for 2020!
We’re back for 2020 and have more energy saving, bill-cutting, eco-friendly advice than ever. If you want to get in touch with us, fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Our offices will be closed from 20th December 2018 until the 2nd January 2019. If you have an enquiries then place get in touch using the contact form below and we’ll get back in touch in the New Year!
Financial Help With Bills: Winter 2020
What help is available with high winter bills for vulnerable people? WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS The Winter Fuel Payment is a scheme designed to help older people cover the additional costs of energy during the winter months. This payment is between…
Top 10 Vegan Skin Care Products
10. P’URE PapayaCare Papaya Lips The skin on our lips is thinner than the skin on our bodies. PURE Papaya Lips not only nourishes and moisturises the skin on lips, it contains a natural wax that helps to protect them.…
Guide to SAP Assessments
What is a SAP assessment? SAP is an acronym that stands for Standard Assessment Procedure. It’s a set of reports that reflect the energy efficiency of a building. What kind of building needs a SAP assessment? Building regulations for all…
Why We Need To Save Water, And How To Do It
We often forget how lucky we are here in the UK; we turn on a tap and instantly water flows. A recent study by Waterwise showed that 85% of people vastly underestimated how much water we use every day, with…
Winter-proof your home and save energy
It’s that time of year again; winter is here and energy bills are rising. It’s time to start looking at how to winter-proof your home and keep the heat in, to save energy and cut your energy bills. We’ve put…
Climate Change Food: How Does Your Diet Impact The Environment?
With all the media coverage around healthy eating and becoming more educated about what we consume, it’s easy to see why so many people are ditching the processed foods and giving up red meats. But can what you eat really…
10 Gifts for Eco-Friendly Foodies
1. Cheese Making Kit One of the biggest offenders for the environmental impact of our food consumption is the carbon cost of getting the product from the field to your table. That’s why we love these kits to start making…
How Your Old Phone Can Save The Rainforest
Why does the rainforest matter so much? Although we all know that the rainforests are important and worth saving, it’s remarkable how little thought we tend to put into why. Deforestation is the second biggest contributor to climate change, accounting…
Best Boilers Winter 2019
It can be difficult to know which boiler to buy – and as they’re not cheap, you’ll want to make sure you’re picking the right one. If you’re wondering where to start, this guide should give you some ideas. First,…
A Beginners Guide to Boilers
View high-res version here Download as PDF here
Does my EPC rating affect my house price?
When selling a house, it’s only natural that you want to get the best possible price you can for it. There are many ways to do that, so what should be top of your list? With so much paperwork to…
Can a fleet company go green?
With new green-friendly technologies appearing in the transport sector, notably systems of carbon reduction, there is a huge interest in using the collected data from a running fleet (through GPS fleet tracking or data transmission software) to search for optimization…
20 Hacks For Eco-Friendly Living (Without Spending Any Money)
1. Give up bottled water. Seriously, it’s so expensive and so unnecessary 2. Request your bills to be emailed to you to instead of posted to cut down on paper waste 3. Cold wash your clothes (unless you wore a…
Eco-Homes: What Are They and How Do They Work?
What is an eco-home or eco-friendly house? “Eco-friendly” is a bit of a catch-all term for anything that tries to have a low environmental impact. Likewise, an “eco-house” is a dwelling that tries to use as little energy as possible,…
The 10 Best Recycling Books 2019
10. Zero Waste: Simple Life Hacks to Drastically Reduce Your Trash We have a worldwide trash epidemic. What if there were a simple―and fun―way for you to make a difference? What if you could take charge of your own waste,…
Why is Intermittency a Problem for Renewable Energy?
Here at the GreenAge we love renewable energy. There’s absolutely no doubt that it’s the way forward, not only for the UK but for the whole world. That said, we think it’s important to understand how renewable energy works, and…
Rise of the Eco-Home
We teamed up with Ellie Fells at Kent Life recently for a story all about eco-homes – what they are, how they work, and why they’ve suddenly become so popular. You can read it below, or download the PDF here.
Power Cuts And Blackouts In The UK: Behind The Headlines
Power cuts and blackouts can be caused by a lot of different things. We’re really not used to them in UK – we like our power reliable and our lights firmly, you know, lit. We’re writing this a few days…
Is Too Much Insulation Making My House Too Hot?
Insulation is a marvellous thing, it keeps us warmer in the winter and means lower energy bills. But with hot summers and extreme heatwaves, a lot of people worry that their insulation is trapping the heat in their homes and…
The Problem With Renewable Energy
The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them what the are with renewable energy? This week, we’re playing devil’s advocate. We love renewable energy, but this weeks episode is all…
The Best Eco-Friendly Beauty Products 2019
1. Make Up Remover Cloth Do away with disposable wipes and cotton pads, and remove even the toughest makeup using nothing but water. The microfibres swell to grab and hold the makeup, meaning no more money wasted on makeup remover.…
RHI Eligibility for Biomass Boilers
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a government-run scheme designed to get more people investing in renewable energy systems. There are thousands of eligible product models eligible to claim the RHI, as long as they follow certain rules. Here we’ll…
A Guide to UK Renewable Energy
The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them how the UK makes its renewable energy? In our latest episode we dig deep into the numbers and recent trends, and take…
The 10 Best Eco-Friendly Buys on Amazon UK This Summer
1. Bamboo Towels Replace your paper towels and your cleaning cloths with these eco-friendly, money-saving bamboo sheets! Made from a certified organic source, each sheet is washable and reusable. 2. Food Huggers Food huggers can also be used to reseal…
What should I do if my energy supplier goes bust?
Oh no! Your energy company has gone bust! Don’t panic. We’re here to talk you through everything that happens when your energy supplier goes out of business, and what you need to do next. What happens when an energy company…
Where Does UK Renewable Energy Come From?
Last year around a third UK energy was generated by renewable energy sources. It’s a huge achievement and the percentage of renewable is only growing. We all want more renewable energy and less reliance on fossil fuels, but how does…
More Home Energy Saving Q&A
The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them…. well, whatever you want? We’ve once again put your questions to James and Nick, from Government grants to ground source heat pumps.…
The Truth About Nuclear Power
Here at the GreenAge we’re all about clean, renewable energy and making the world a better place, so it may surprise you to know that we’re not staunchly against nuclear energy. But wait, doesn’t nuclear waste harm the environment? Isn’t…
A Beginners Guide to Electric Cars
The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them all about electric cars? This week we’re going through the many different kinds of electric vehicles, with all of their pros and…
The Truth About Nuclear Power
The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them to get to the bottom of nuclear power. We take you through all the big questions of nuclear power. Doesn’t nuclear waste…
Summer Energy Saving
The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them their top tips for energy saving this summer? The weather is hotting up and so are we as we ask what are…
Lighting Choices: How to Choose the Best Eco-Friendly Light Bulbs
The world is becoming more conscious about the environment and our everyday habits have a bigger impact than we realise. One of the easiest changes you can make at home is switching to eco-friendly light bulbs. Not only will this…
Can I Get a Heat Pump for Free?
This May the energy regulators Ofgem updated the Renewable Heat Incentive, making some important changes to make solar thermal, heat pumps, and biomass boilers available to a lot more people. There is even an opportunity for free heat pumps. Heat…
How Much Are RHI Payments for Solar Thermal?
The Renewable Heat Incentive The Renewable Heat Incentive, or RHI, was announced in 2008 as part of the Energy Act, although it didn’t come in to effect until 2014. It’s a government subsidy designed to reward smallscale renewable heating systems…
Replacing the Feed-In Tariff: The Smart Export Guarantee
The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them what is replacing the Feed-in Tariff? The Smart Export Guarantee is a new policy that the government has announced to force energy…
How Much Are RHI Payments for Heat Pumps?
Renewable Heat Incentive payments for both ground source and air source heat pumps are calculated using a simple equation. Well, simple if you know what you’re doing. The Renewable Heat Incentive The Renewable Heat Incentive, or RHI, was announced in 2008…
The Green Room: Episode 15 – Getting to Grips with U-Values
The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them to explain the mysterious world of U-values? Oh yes, you guessed it, this week we delve even deeper into the wonderful world…
3 Energy Saving Ideas You May Not Have Heard Before
You probably already know that improving the energy efficiency of your house can help to keep your bank balance healthy, improve the comfort of your home and decrease your carbon footprint. Nowadays, everyone is talking about the different ways you…
The Green Room: Episode 14 – The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Explained
The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them to explain the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)? This week’s episode features one of the government’s biggest domestic subsidies for eco-friendly heating. That…
How Much Are RHI Payments for Biomass Boilers?
The Renewable Heat Incentive The Renewable Heat Incentive, or RHI, was announced in 2008 as part of the Energy Act, although it didn’t come in to effect until 2014. It’s a government subsidy designed to reward smallscale renewable heating systems…
The Green Room: Episode 13 – Windows, Floors, Roofs, and More (The Insulation Masterclass Series Pt 4)
The Green Room: What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them all about external wall insulation? The second instalment of our Insulation Masterclass Series is all about those pesky solid walls and how…
A Replacement to the Feed-In Tariff?
The Feed-in Tariff The Feed-in Tariff was a government subsidy scheme designed to reward homeowners and businesses for microgeneration of renewable energy. It worked by measuring the generation and export levels of various technologies – primarily photovoltaic solar panels (solar…
The Green Room: Episode 12 – Internal and Cavity Wall Insulation (The Insulation Masterclass Series Pt 3)
The Green Room: What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them all about external wall insulation? The second instalment of our Insulation Masterclass Series is all about those pesky solid walls and how…
Should I Get Solar Panels? 2019/2020
A lot has changed in recent years for the solar panel industry, and with all the developments a lot of people are left questioning whether solar panels are right for them or not. Solar Panel 101 There are two types…
Are Gas Boilers Being Banned?
What exactly are they banning? The new standards set forth by Philip Hammond will bring an end to the installation of gas boilers in any new build domestic properties from 2025. The ban on gas boilers is only for new…
The Renewable Heat Incentive Explained
What is the Renewable Heat Incentive? The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a government scheme that provides payments for the generation of heat from several different renewable energy sources. It was introduced in November 2011 to replace the Low Carbon…
The Cheapest Ways to Stop Condensation
With such uncertain weather these days, condensation is a problem that many of us are facing. Apart from ruining the view from your windows, condensation can damage window frames and sills, and cause serious mould issues. Double glazing is often…
The Green Room: Episode 11 – External Wall Insulation (The Insulation Masterclass Series Pt 2)
The Green Room: What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them all about external wall insulation? The second instalment of our Insulation Masterclass Series is all about those pesky solid walls and…
Energy News Spring 2019
Spring has sprung and we are all about the green vibes coming our way. Wind The UK government is throwing itself behind a huge expansion in wind power, with the aim of generating a third of the UK’s electricity by…
The Green Room: Episode 10 – Home Energy Saving Q&A
The Green Room: What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them…. well, whatever you want? We put your questions to James and Nick, from solar panels and boiler efficiency to wind turbines…
Do Smart Meters Save You Money?
A radio advert by Smart Energy GB was banned recently after it was deemed misleading to tell customers that getting a smart meter would save them money. We thought this warranted some investigation. Can a smart meter save you money or…
How to Heat a Listed Building
Listed buildings can be very difficult to heat properly. They are often draughty and poorly insulated, with archaic heating installed, on top of which you’re likely to be very limited as to any changes you can make to the building.…
The Green Room: Episode 9 – Loft Insulation (The Insulation Masterclass Series Pt 1)
The Green Room: What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them about loft insulation? We’re talking warm lofts, cold lofts, big lofts, small lofts, and all lofts in between. What kind of…
Green Gardening Tips for Spring
Plant With Consideration Soak the roots before planting, ensure that the hole is bigger than the root ball, and remember that plants like shrubs need a lot of breathing room to grow properly. Always be gentle with new plants, especially…
What’s the Difference Between a Solar Optimiser and a Solar Diverter?
You’ve got your solar panels, you’ve got the feed-in tariff, you’re generating electricity. So why would you want a solar optimiser? Or a solar diverter? What do they do and how do they differ? What are solar optimisers and solar…
The Green Room: Episode 8 – The Problem With Plastic
The Green Room: What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them about the plastic crisis? James and Nick spend the show debating the economics of plastics, the realities of plastic recycling, the…
15 Top Tips to Use Less Plastic (And Save Money)
To celebrate the latest episode of The Green Room, all about plastics and what we can do to reduce waste, we’ve put together some of the best and most simple ways to cut down your use of single-use plastics. Tips…
The Green Room: Episode 7 – The Energy Cost of Lighting
The Green Room: What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them if the smart meter rollout is really worth it? In this episode Nick and James talk smart meters; pros & cons…
The Best Stove Fans 2019/2020
Christmas is over, the January sales are gone, even Valentine’s Day has come and passed and still nobody bought you that stove fan you wanted. And why not?! They boost the efficiency of your stove by circulating the hot air…
Clean Air Strategy 2019
What is the Clean Air Strategy? In the middle of January, Michael Gove launched a new scheme to tackle the UK pollution crisis. The strategy targets public communications, behavioural changes, and consumer choices. It’s basically a whole bunch of plans…
5 Best Composters For Summer 2019
Best Kitchen Compost Bin £18.99 While some of us are still using the little green box given to us by the local council for our food waste, this little number can upgrade your kitchen…
The Green Room: Episode 6 – What’s the Deal With Smart Meters? How Do I Fix a Cold Conservatory?
The Green Room: What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them if the smart meter rollout is really worth it? In this episode Nick and James talk smart meters; pros & cons…
The Week in Energy & Environment 30/01/2019
Thousands of households now eligible for cold weather payments as freezing temperatures and snow hits the UK Around 4,000 households in Scotland are among the first to be paid cold weather payments this winter but this could rise as the…
The Week in Energy & Environment 23/01/2019
Scottish energy consumers ‘paying over the odds’ Switching energy supplier could save each household in Scotland £150 annually, according to Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS). Energy switching figures hit new record in 2018 Figures published this week show that 2018 was…
The Ultimate Guide to Thermal Liner
We know our readers love WallRock. No glass fibres, no PVC and no toxins, but still one of the strongest and highest performing thermal papers in the market. Wallrock goes on like wallpaper and can be installed yourself. It prevents…
The Green Room: Episode 5 – Ten Tips to Cut Your Energy Bills
The Green Room: What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them their top tips to save money on your energy bills? This week Nick and James are talking all things thrifty to save you…
The Week in Energy & Environment 16/01/2019
Ovo appointed by regulator as new supplier for 235k Economy Energy customers after company ceased trading earlier this week Ofgem announced Ovo Energy will take over as supplier for Economy Energy’s 235k customers Big rise in UK energy bills likely…
The Week in Energy & Environment 09/01/2019
Climate change: LED lights making dent in UK energy demand Installing a single low-energy LED bulb may make a trivial contribution to cutting the carbon emissions that are overheating the planet. Dutch eco initiative halves energy bills in first UK…
The Green Room: Episode 3 – Exploring the Energy Price Cap
The Green Room: What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them how Theresa May’s new energy price cap works? This week Nick and James look behind the numbers at the Tory’s controversial new energy…
How to Save Energy On Sash Windows
Sash windows are an elegant way to add character and class to your period home, but for some they can be a cause for concern. Although they are inherently inefficient, modern thermal upgrades have been developed that can have a…
The Week in Energy & Environment 02/01/2019
2018 was the worst year ever for energy price rises: the firms with the biggest hikes Households across the UK have been hit with 57 price hikes since the start of the year, compared to just 15 in 2017 Centrica…
10 Top Tips for Staying Warm and Saving Money: Autumn/Winter 2019
1. Draught proofing If there’s a more simple way to save energy, we don’t know it. Close your doors, close your windows, and plug up the gaps. There are a lot of ways to eliminate draughts, ranging from beautifully hand…
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Our offices will be closed from 22nd December 2018 until the 2 January 2019. If you have an enquiries then place get in touch using the contact form below and we’ll get back in touch in the new year!
The Green Room: Episode 2 – Energy Tariffs 101
Read MoreThe Green Room: Episode 2 – Energy Tariffs 101The Week in Energy & Environment 19/12/2018
Energy plans may cut £45 a year from bills Energy regulator Ofgem is proposing to cut consumers’ bills by £45 a year from 2021, largely by reducing the rate of returns to investors. EU coal subsidy phase-out ‘completely inconsistent with…
The Green Room: Episode 1 – Solar PV and Energy Certificates
Read MoreThe Green Room: Episode 1 – Solar PV and Energy Certificates8 Best Websites for Eco-Friendly Gifts
1. Protect the Planet Protect the Planet are a truly ecological gifts company, who’s products are all either made in the UK, made of FSC wood, recycle/reduce/reuse, energy saving, ethically made, organic, protect British wildlife, or sustainable. Their recycled office products…
Tips for an Eco-Friendly Christmas
I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas… Christmas is a time of excess, whether that be over-ordering from the Argos catalogue or Great Uncle Henry on the mulled wine, but with great excess comes great wastage. That’s why we thought it…
The Week in Energy & Environment 12/12/2018
Hard Brexit could add £270 million to Britain’s energy bills, UKERC warns The new research claims that a so-called ‘Elecxit’, and the subsequent uncoupling of the GB energy market with Europe’s, could significantly dampen Britain’s ability to trade power effectively.…
The Week in Energy & Environment 05/12/2018
New rules prevent environmental court actions being ‘prohibitively expensive’ to the public Following a request from the Scottish government, new rules have been published which aim to enhance access to justice by preventing court actions relating to the environment being…
Can I Get a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) on the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)?
What is the Renewable Heat Incentive? The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a government run scheme designed to get more people investing in renewable energy. Essentially, the scheme works by providing quarterly payments based on your rate of heat generation.…
Soundproofing with Insulation
Soundproofing and insulation go together like Ant and Dec (too soon?), and while insulation is something we’ve talked about endlessly here at the GreenAge, soundproofing has only come up a few times. The fact is, though, that they go hand…
The Week in Energy & Environment 28/11/2018
Research shows almost all farmers have taken environmental measures Almost all farmers in the UK have measures in place to drive environmental improvements, with two-thirds planning further investment, according to new research. British Gas owner to take £70m hit from…
Is Solar PV Still Worth It? Winter 2018
Why We’re Paying Wind Farms to Lie Dormant
Wind farms are turning off their turbines when it’s windy, and we’re paying them to do it. But why? What are constraint payments? Constraint payments are the name given to the compensation paid out to large wind farms when the…
The Week in Energy 21/11/2018
Energy companies are charging households without a smart meter up to £150 more every year Increasing numbers of suppliers now offer their cheapest tariffs only to customers who agree to have their home’s traditional meters replaced with the new technology.…
Best Eco-Friendly Deals of Amazon’s Black Friday Sale
1. This moon lamp 3D printed from eco-friendly materials Buy it here for £10.39 2. These cruelty free, vegan make up brushes make from recycled materials Buy them here for £7.64 3. These smart plugs, which monitor and control your energy use…
The Week in Energy 14/11/2018
UK renewables capacity overtakes fossil fuels for first time Britain has reached a major green milestone as the total capacity available from renewable sources has overtaken fossil fuels for the first time. Energy efficiency rules set to cost landlords up…
Am I in Fuel Poverty?
What is fuel poverty? Fuel poverty is what we call it when a household or individual is unable to heat themselves adequately, given their income. The Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act defines it as a member of a household…
The Week in Energy 07/11/2018
Green Great Britain: Climate Policy and Energy Transition Thank you for the invitation to speak with you this morning on a subject that has been right at the centre of the UK-Norway relationship for many years. Academics to develop building…
Why Bitcoin is Bad for the Environment
What is Bitcoin? In case you’ve been living under a rock or have just dramatically woken up from a soap opera style coma, here’s a brief rundown of what Bitcoin is. The first and by far the biggest of the…
Do I Have to Pay Exit Fees for Switching my Energy Supplier?
What are exit charges? Exit charges (otherwise referred to as cancellation fees) are given to the penalty you get charged when you decide to leave a fixed-term energy contract early. When do I need to pay exit charges? You might…
The Week in Energy 31/10/2018
Energy efficiency alone could deliver global emissions peak and slash bills by $500bn Energy efficiency could prove a climate saviour according to the IEA, and yet the policy action needed to help realise huge savings is weakening. ScottishPower profits surge…
The Most Efficient Way to Use Central Heating
The chill is settling and winter is well on its way. Or as I like to call it, radiator and red wine season. Conventional radiators work by conduction, cycling hot water through them thereby heating the metal it’s contained in.…
The Week in Energy 24/10/2018
Scottish Power becomes first major UK energy company to generate all electricity from wind ‘We are leaving carbon generation behind for a renewable future powered by cheaper green energy’ UK announces £40m fund to support cleantech companies The Clean Growth…
When is the Feed-in Tariff Ending and Should I Still Get Solar Panels?
What is the Feed-in Tariff? Apart from being the word that our intern Henry uses to describe Rihanna, FiT is the acronym for the government scheme known as the Feed-In Tariff. The Feed-In Tariff is a scheme that the government…
Introducing The GreenAge Installer Directory
What is the Installer Directory? We source the very best installers and suppliers of energy and energy saving technologies, and we list them all here for you to find. It is the foundation of what makes the GreenAge work. It’s…
The Week in Energy 17/10/2018
Fracking due to go ahead in Lancashire after High Court appeal fails Cuadrilla is expected to begin drilling for the first time in seven years after a High Court bid to block operations failed. Protesters block Cuadrilla as fracking re-starts…
Do You Need an EPC for a Listed Building?
When it comes to EPC’s, people have gone back and forth for years over whether listed buildings are subject to the same regulations as standard properties . It’s a story of ambiguity and poorly worded legislation, and we’re getting to…
How Much Does it Cost to Install Central Heating?
Central heating is by far the most common form of warming our homes here in the UK, however some of us are still using other methods to stay warm. So why do people love central heating so much and how…
The Week in Energy 10/10/2018
Renewable energy is growing too slow to meet climate goals, International Energy Agency warns Renewable energy will continue to grow rapidly over the next five years, but not enough to meet long-term climate and sustainability goals, the International Energy Agency…
The Week in Energy 02/10/2018
Millions switch energy supplier as households suffer record breaking year for price rises As colder weather has begun to bite, analysis shows 12 million households on standard variable tariffs have been hit by price hikes so far this year, according…
Drywall vs Plaster: Which is Better?
We’re looking at the cost and insulation properties of traditional wet plaster vs the drywall alternative. Which is cheaper? Which is quicker? Which will keep the heat in better? Welcome to the plastering thunderdome. Wet plaster The traditional form of…
The Week in Energy 26/09/2018
Cuadrilla To Start Fracking In The UK Within Weeks The government has given the green light to frack at a second exploration well in Lancashire. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking involves extracting gas from layers of rocks by injecting water and…
What is External Wall Insulation Made From?
To a lot of people external wall insulation is a totally new concept. With growing household bills and an increased demands from homeowners for better methods of achieving energy efficiency, external wall insulation materials are a rapidly expanding UK phenomenon,…
5 Cheapest Ways to Increase your EPC Rating
Invest in a hot water cylinder jacket They may not be a thing of beauty, but a hot water cylinder jackets might be the single most cost-effective investment you can make for saving energy, cutting bills, and achieving a higher…
The Week in Energy 19/09/18
Plans For New Cumbria Nuclear Power Station On Verge Of Collapse Plans for a new nuclear power station in Cumbria are on the verge of collapsing after the Toshiba-owned company behind it laid off 60% of its workforce and embarked…
Infrared FAQ
→ How do infrared heating panels work? → Is infrared heating efficient? → Is infrared heating safe? → Is infrared expensive to run? → Are there maintenance and servicing costs with infrared heating panels? → What size of infrared panels…
The Week in Energy 11/09/18
11 Million UK Households to Save £75 on Energy Bills The energy price cap that Theresa May promised us is here, and it could save a lot of people money… so why should we be wary? Bulb Energy Hikes Bills…
Do Storage Heaters Use a Lot of Electricity?
Storage heaters can be an ingenious way to heat your home using the cheapest electricity, but for many of us the way they work is a complete mystery. We’ve set out to unravel the how they work, how much electricity…
11 Million UK Households to Save £75 on Energy Bills
The energy price cap that Theresa May promised us is here, and it could save a lot of people money… so why should we be wary? What is happening? A price cap of £1,136 a year has been introduced by…
The Week in Energy 05/09/18
UK Summer ‘Wind Drought’ Puts Green Revolution Into Reverse Britain’s long heatwave threw the country’s green energy revolution into reverse and pushed up carbon emissions this summer, but 2018 was still UK’s second greenest summer. Halogen Lightbulb Ban: When Does…
5 Ways to Get Your Boiler Ready for Winter (And Save Money)
1. Get your boiler serviced A serviced boiler is a more efficient boiler. It will ensure that everything is working at its peak, any minor problems are picked up before they become big expensive issues, and all insurance paperwork is…
Are You Eligible For a British Gas Payout?
British Gas are being forced to pay £2.65 million in compensation and refunds to customers that were mislead about switching costs. What did British Gas do wrong? In essence, they gave people the wrong information about exit fees for their…
The Week in Energy
Scottish Power to Raise Energy Prices (Again) Scottish Power is to raise its standard variable gas and electricity prices from 8 October. It is the second price increase announced by Scottish Power this year. In April, it said it would…
When Should I Service my Boiler?
Why should I service my boiler? Cheaper bills. A full boiler service will ensure that your central heating is working at peak efficiency, doing everything possible to convert energy to heat. This means a warmer home per unit of energy…
What is the Cheapest Electric Heater to Run?
As the weather begins to turn chillier and our sunburn starts to fade, a lot of us finding out attention turning to heating. It’s no secret that electric heating is more expensive than gas; here in the UK the cost…
Where Can I Replace my Baxi Back Boiler?
Back boilers, once incredibly popular and praised for their efficiency, have now become all but obsolete, losing pride of place in the home to smaller and more efficient combi boilers. We’ve written about replacing your back boiler before, but that…
Why are UK Energy Prices Rising?
We’ve written a lot over the last few years about the countless price rises and tariff hikes that seem to happen every few months, but the fact is that since 2005, UK gas and electricity prices have more than doubled.…
English Churches Switch to Renewable Energy
Christian Aid have announced that over 5,500 churches and cathedrals in the UK are now operating on 100% renewable power, including Salisbury, Southwark, Liverpool and St Albans cathedrals. How much energy do churches use? In a word: loads. Solid brick…
Is Your Energy Company Overcharging You?
This weekend The Sun released an article claiming that British families’ energy bills have rocketed by a fifth, paying £4.6bn extra, even as use is down by a fifth. They blame this on the actions of “greedy energy firms” over…
How Much Does Air Conditioning Cost in the UK?
All winter we were pining for sun, but now that it’s here, it’s hot and sticky and simply too much (sorry sun worshippers and solar panel owners, I just hate it). This summer has been one of the hottest on…
Top Tips for Keeping Energy Cost Down with Children
It’s funny, really. They warned you about the cost of buggies and baby clothes and school uniforms and new shoes, they even warned you about the truly obscene cost of Christmas. But what they didn’t mention was how your little…
Can The Loch Ness Monster Power Scotland?
An enormous 2.4 gigawatt-hour pumped storage hydroelectric project has been proposed for construction at Loch Ness, with the potential to double the capacity of Scotland’s renewable energy output. What is pumped storage hydroelectric power? Pumped storage hydroelectric power is a…
MEES, EPC’s and External Wall Insulation
How can I improve the EPC rating of my property? A lot of homeowners look to improve the value of their properties in terms of aesthetics – updating the kitchen, bathroom, etc., but people often overlook how much improving the…
The Week in Energy
2018-07-17 EDF Announces Second Hike in 3 Months Prices are once again set to rise for customers of energy giant EDF, who have blamed wholesale energy costs for the new 6% increase to their prices. The last EDF energy tariff…
Free Boilers in Scotland? And Other Questions about Scottish Energy Funding
Can I get a free boiler in Scotland? Am I eligible for free insulation? Can I get a grant for energy saving in Scotland? Don’t worry, we’re here to clear up some of your questions about how Scottish people can…
Non-Domestic MEES Exemptions
Getting registered on the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) exemption list is going to be top of many landlords To-Do list now that the new standards have come into effect, but finding reliable information on how exactly to go about…
Why Was The Swansea Tidal Lagoon Rejected?
What is the Swansea Tidal Lagoon? Tidal lagoons work in a similar way to tidal barrages, but differ in that they do not form a barrier all the way across a coastline or estuary. They can be sited offshore, and…
The Ultimate Guide to Getting Solar PV by the GreenAge
REGULATIONS Regulations: Planning Permission The good news is that here in the UK there is no requirement for planning permission for solar panels. The government is keen for people to install them so the regulations are left intentionally lenient. There…
Reduced Energy Bills for Carers
In the UK, more than a third of the 5 million informal carers are struggling to pay energy bills as a direct result of the additional costs of their responsibilities. Nearly half of those surveyed reported receiving no financial support from…
8 Things you Didn’t Know About MEES
1. You might be eligible for an exemption If your EPC is below an E but you still want to let the property, you might be able to get an exemption from MEES. This is going to be an avenue…
Wales Launches Mortgages Based on Energy Efficiency
From the start of this month, Help-to-Buy mortgages in Wales will be calculated taking into account the projected energy bills of the property. What is the new policy? The central idea behind the policy is that larger loans will be…
The End for the Swansea Tidal Lagoon?
National newspapers are reporting that the government plans to reject the Swansea tidal lagoon project as soon as this week. What is the Swansea tidal lagoon? We are big fans of tidal power. Tidal lagoons work in a similar way…
Women in the Energy Industry
A number of high profile energy companies launched a campaign last week to tackle gender inequality in the energy industry and see more women in leadership roles. What is the current state of women in the energy industry? In a word,…
How a Conservatory can Affect your EPC Rating
We have been getting enquiries regarding the impact of a conservatory on the Energy Performance Certificate EPC rating. With EPC ratings becoming more important for rental properties with the introduction of MEES legislation, we think it is a good time…
How to Get a MEES Exemption
Getting registered on the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) exemption list is going to be top of many landlords To-Do list now that the new standards have come into effect, but finding any information on how exactly to go about…
The Problem With High Water Pressure
Due to the common complaint of low water pressure, a lot of people think that high water pressure is always good, but a home with excessively high water pressure can be an absolute nightmare. Although rare, high water pressure can…
Labour Promises 4 Million Homes Funding for Insulation
Labour has announced a policy to invest £2.3 billion in to installing insulation in low-income households across the UK What is Labour’s energy policy? In a word, the Labour energy policy is radical. Jeremy Corbyn has long been an advocate…
Levelized Cost of Energy
Although the term itself is pretty scary, the idea is actually really simple. The levelized cost of energy (also known as the levelized cost of electricity or LCOE, because the energy industry loves to make life complicated) is an estimated…
How Britain Is Going Coal Free
Last week Britain set a new record for coal-free energy. For the first time since the 1880’s we went 3 full days without generating any power from burning coal. The environmental effects of coal Cheap, reliable, and convenient – you…
5 Easy Hacks to Save Money and Energy in Your Garden
1. Use Water Butts Water butts collect free, natural rainwater from your roof and guttering system to utilise in a host of ways. Channelling and storing rainfall is a great way to make the most of your environment, save on…
Is Wood Fibre Insulation Any Good?
Wood fibre insulation boards – they’re a different type of external wall insulation system than EPS or mineral wool, giving you even more choice when it comes to choosing the right materials for your project. Given that you may not have…
Why Is My Water Pressure So Bad?
Water pressure – it ain’t glamorous but it sure is important. When it’s good you barely think about it, but when it’s bad it’s a massive headache. There’s a vast number of plumbing problems in the home that originate from…
Energy Companies Announce Further Price Hikes
Both Scottish Power and British Gas have now put up the cost of their standard tariff by an average of 5.5%, with EDF not far behind planning a hike of 2.7%. Several major energy suppliers have once again opted to…
Building Regs and Planning Permission for Solar Panels
Like many big purchases or renovations, solar panels come with a lot of paperwork. It’s not as much here in the UK as in some other parts of the world, but you still might want to consider investing in a…
Apple Goes Fully Renewable
Tech giant Apple announced last week that it’s operations are now running on 100% renewable energy, with further projects set to more than double their energy production in the coming years. Apple’s Energy Use From their data centre in Reno,…
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
Size The two dictating factors for the initial cost of the panels are size and quality. A larger system means more electricity produced, which in the long term will make a bigger impact on your bills and provide more surplus…
Are Wood Burners Bad for the Environment?
We’re living in a very different world than we were only 15 or 20 years ago. The general public has become a lot more aware of environmental concerns and carbon footprints, and we have seen an increase in trends associated…
How do The GreenAge Contact Forms Work?
As an a reader of our blog you’ve probably seen our contact forms knocking about the website. Even though you may want to know more about a certain subject, in this day and age giving away personal information is a…
5 Energy Technologies That Prove We’re Already Living in the Future
Solar advancements Solar power isn’t new, solar power is the source of life itself. From growing our food to lighting our homes, humans have been harnessing solar power in one way or another for millenia. What is new, however, is…
Now Hiring! Junior Energy Assessor at London-EPC
Our friends over at London-EPC are looking for a qualified EPC Assessor to join their team. Job Type: Full-time, Permanent Salary: £25,000 – £27,000 London EPC is a city based firm of Energy Surveyors providing cost-effective surveys and energy reduction…
What Kind of Boiler Do I Have?
There are no stupid questions, only questions that you might feel silly asking. This is one that I get from my family members and friends, who are a little red-faced at not knowing what system they’re working with. They shouldn’t…
Solar Panel Maintenance: Taking Care of Your Panels
Harnessing solar energy has in recent years become such a widespread and mainstream way of generating power, that it’s hard to take a walk to the shops without seeing it. Solar panels are a popular choice for those wanting to…
How Warm are Thatched Roofs?
Thatched roofs are one of the oldest and most visually pleasing forms of roofing, providing humanity with shelter since back when we were all wearing mammoth hides. After a serious decline in the 80’s and 90’s owing to widespread concerns…
Can I Take my Solar PV Panels With Me When I Move?
With all the time, care and money that goes in to fitting PV panels to your property, it can be a bit heartbreaking to let it all go. It’s no surprise that many people are keen to take their solar…
What Should I Do If My Pipes Freeze?
What happens when my pipes freeze? Freezing pipes can cause chaos in your house. When the winter weather hits, thousands of us find ourselves waking up to cold radiators, no hot water, and a boiler making generally alarming sounds. A…
Can the National Grid Weather the Storm?
What’s happening? Snomageddon! Snowpolocype! Snow my God! In other words, it’s snowing. With red weather alerts issued in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, the Beast from the East and Storm Emma have succeeded in bringing the UK to a standstill.…
How Good Are Nest Smart Thermostats?
Nest. We’ve all seen the adverts and most of us would recognise the friendly little circular control unit. We’ve even covered some it’s problem before. But what is it like to live in a house with this kind of smart…
Saving Energy in the Kitchen
The kitchen is undoubtedly one of the most important rooms in any house, but it’s also where we use a huge amount of energy. Here at the Green Age have a commitment to improving energy efficiency without compromising quality of…
The Problems with Cavity Wall Insulation
Cavity Wall Insulation: How We Got to Where We Are Let us take you back in time to an unimaginably different world. It’s the late 18th century, we’re at war in America, plague fills the streets, you can still sees…
A Beginners Guide to Fuel Cells
Wikipedia helpfully informs us that “A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen fuel with oxygen or another oxidising agent”. Now I don’t know about…
What’s So Good About Sheep Wool Insulation?
We all know the benefits of insulation, it keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Insulation is the oldest, simplest, and most cost efficient way to improve the thermal comfort of your building. Not all…
Everything You Need to Know About the Safeguard Tariff
Who are Ofgem? Ofgem is the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets. Essentially their job is to regulate UK energy suppliers to protect the interests of the consumer. This involves keeping track of market developments, protecting consumers, and pushing for…
Passive Houses vs Sustainable Living
Passive Houses Passivhaus. Trust the Germans to come up with a suave, cool sounding name for everything, am I right? In this case though, the concept itself just as great as the word implies. A passive house (or Passivhaus, depending…
What are a Landlord’s Energy Obligations?
For many landlords, knowing what exactly performance standards they’re required to provide for their tenants is a bit of a minefield, especially with changing legislation and different rules for commercial and residential properties. Tenants too should be aware of exactly…
Can I Get Free Loft Insulation?
If you’re anything like me then ‘free’ is one of your favourite words (along with ‘avocados’ and ‘half price Pinot Grigio’). So if you thought there wasn’t a way to make loft insulation exciting then you’ve obviously never prefixed it…
Choosing the Right Type of Electric Car
The concept of electric cars may feel like a new one, but in fact the idea of vehicles run partly or wholly on electricity has been around since the 19th century. We’ve come a long way since then, especially in…
What is Lot 20 and What Does it Mean for Me?
New year, new you, new energy industry compliance legislation! I was laughed at in the Green Age offices for considering that a ‘snappy title’ for this post, but in reality Lot 20 doesn’t need a hyperbolic headline or some sexy…
Can Kitchen Foil Cut my Energy Bills?
We’re all about energy saving measures here at the Green Age, so we thought it was about time to test out one of the life hacks we’ve been hearing mutterings about on the grapevine – using kitchen foil as a…
Why has insulation made my home damp?
This is a question we get asked a lot. Although insulation is probably the best way of keeping your home warm, it can also encourage the formation of damp. After all that money and effort spent trying to make your…
Should I buy a gas stove?
If you want a heating system that will add character as well as warming the room, the obvious choice is a wood burning stove. However, a new generation of gas stoves is now offering a popular alternative. As the name suggests, rather…
Powering London’s buses with coffee
Public transport has long been hailed as the ‘greener’ option, compared to travelling alone by car; but traditional buses produce serious carbon emissions. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has been on a mission to make London’s buses greener, in a…
Controlling infrared heating panels
Most good infrared heating panels can be plugged in and used straight away. This means you just switch them on and off as and when you need them, which is fine if they’re in a space you don’t use very often,…
How can I reduce my energy bills and where is it all going?
Where are my energy bills going? It’s an interesting quirk of human evolution that we have developed the sense to know, just by looking at an unopened letter or email, that it’s a horribly big bill. Instead of sighing heavily,…
Energy Saving FAQs
We get loads of comments left on our blogs every day, asking a huge range of questions. However, there are some that crop up time and time again. We picked out a few of these in the hope that they…
SMETs2
SMETs2 – or the catchy ‘smart metering equipment technical specifications: second version’ – is the new generation of smart meters about to be released. What are the benefits of smart meters? You might be aware that the Government is currently…
Merry Christmas from TheGreenAge!
Before we leave the office for a few days off to drink *slightly* too much mulled wine and argue over board games with our families, we thought we’d take a minute to wish you all a Happy Christmas! While we’re…
Infrared heating vs underfloor heating
We are often asked whether we would recommend underfloor heating or infrared panels, especially in regards to bathrooms. They are very different technologies, and the bottom line is that it depends if you are doing it just for comfort, or…
Are there any downsides to external wall insulation?
There are a lot of benefits with external wall insulation – but are there any reasons to be cautious when thinking about installing it? We’re going to share a few of the questions we’ve been asked over the years, and…
Why is my energy bill so high?
It can be a nasty surprise if you get your gas and electricity bills through and they’re higher than you were expecting. But how do you know whether there’s been a mistake, or you’ve simply used more energy than last…
Heat pump FAQs
How do heat pumps work? Heat pumps transfer heat energy either into, or out of, of a property. There are three types: air source (the most common), ground source and water source. As their names suggest, they all gather heat…
Tesla’s mega-battery is complete!
There is no stopping Elon Musk. The man on a mission to reinvent how we use electricity has had yet more success, with the announcement that his team have developed the largest battery in the world. What started as a…
British Gas HomeCare: is it worth it?
British Gas offers a number of ‘HomeCare‘ maintenance packages. What these mean is that you pay a monthly fee for unlimited engineer call-outs. The extent of the technologies this covers depends on your individual package. Some cover just your boiler,…
Budget 2017: green or not?
We’ve had a few days now to digest last week’s Budget announcement, and we’ve been thinking about what – if anything- was promised with regards to green energy and the environment. The government is under more pressure than ever to deliver…
Black Friday’s best energy saving products!
If you’re a savvy shopper, you’ll know that today is Black Friday – and that means big discounts! We’ve rounded up some of the best deals on energy saving products so you don’t miss out on the chance to save.…
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G)
Energy companies have started to respond to the government’s recent announcement of its plans to move the UK to a smarter energy system, with the development of vehicle-to-grid systems. Balancing national energy stores is no easy task; ensuring a steady…
5 easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint
It might seem like living a sustainable lifestyle is too difficult, or that your efforts might not be worth it, but as individuals we can make a real difference over our lifetime. It’s so important to cut carbon emissions to…
How efficient are Dimplex Quantum storage heaters?
We recently visited Dimplex at their offices, where they talked us through some of their newest heating products. We started by hearing about why storage heaters were invented, why that need still exists, and what has changed with new technology.…
Where to put your air source heat pump
Planning where you install your air source heat pump carefully is very important in order for it to run at maximum efficiency. Clearly, a good installer will guide you on this, but we have compiled a few things you should be…
Electric car FAQs
Despite a huge increase in electric car ownership over the past few years, there are still a lot of misconceptions. As with anything relatively ‘new’, some people understandably have reservations. In this blog, we will aim to clear up some…
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
New Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) were introduced in April 2018 for commercial buildings. Commercial buildings were already required to have an energy efficiency rating from A (best) to G (worst); but now, the owners of the most inefficient properties…
Why do LED bulbs burn out?
LED light bulbs are a highly efficient, energy saving alternative to incandescent light bulbs. Their technology is completely different, and as a result they last far longer than older types of light bulb. All light bulbs eventually break due to prolonged…
Can I install solar panels on a listed building?
There are a lot of great things about living in an old period home is pretty, but trying to heat and power them efficiently and in an eco-friendly way can be a real challenge. Living in a listed building doesn’t necessarily…
Are greywater recycling systems a waste of money?
The average person in the UK uses 150 litres of water per day, so saving it, where possible, is key. A lot of people ask us if they should install greywater recycling. On paper, it sounds on paper like a great…
What’s the future for UK energy?
The UK’s energy supply is looking shaky at the moment, and opinion is divided as to the best way to deal with it. How will we meet rising demand for electricity, while limiting environmental impact? Generating capacity has already fallen…
UK’s ‘Clean Growth Stategy’ announced
Yesterday, the government released their long-awaited plans for moving to a cleaner energy system, and improving domestic energy efficiency to cut emissions. What is included, and do the proposals go far enough? We read the report so you don’t have…
The future of building – Passiv kit houses
The idea for a PassivHaus, known as a Passive or Passiv House in English, originated in Germany as the brainchild of Bo Adamson and Wolfgang Feist in 1988. Desperate to put together a concept for houses that could be as…
Upgrading the UK energy system
The government recently announced big changes to the way the UK will generate and manage its energy, but it has been light on specifics so far. We had a look at Ofgem’s report on ‘Upgrading our energy system‘, to get…
Can I get a free domestic charge point for my electric car?
With the recent huge boom in the number of electric car owners, more and more people in the UK are choosing to install electric car charging points at home. However, they don’t come cheap. A typical cost for a charge…
Is cavity wall insulation safe?
Most cavity wall insulation is perfectly safe – but it depends on the material used, and the quality of the workmanship. Modern retrofit cavity wall insulation methods pose no threat to those living in the home, but if your walls…
Are we facing a lithium shortage?
With an explosion in the number of electric cars being manufactured and sold, rumours are spreading that global lithium supplies will not be big enough to cope with demand. But how true are the scare stories? The electric car revolution…
5 reasons to install home battery storage
Battery storage is making waves in the energy industry at the moment. It is being developed for everything from cars to national energy management. But it can also have benefits on a domestic level. Let us explain! Home battery storage can save you…
What is district heating?
Also known as heat networks, district heating systems generate heat in a centralised location and distribute it amongst multiple different buildings. They can be used to provide space or water heating for residential or commercial requirements. The idea is to provide low-carbon…
Can solar panels catch fire?
Are solar panels a fire hazard? There have been a lot of scare stories put out by the press recently, riding a wave of raised anxiety following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. But are solar panels actually ever to blame for…
How to make your new kitchen energy efficient
There are a lot of things to think about when installing a new kitchen. Although it can be a very expensive process, and you might not want to add to costs, taking energy efficiency into account is important, as it…
Does carbon capture have a future?
Carbon capture and storage (CSS) is a much talked-about possibility, but one that has so far failed to materialise into the environmental game-changer it’s hailed as by many. Will it ever be affordable and effective enough to make a difference…
How to choose a home battery storage system
If you’re producing more solar power than you’re using in your home, then the excess will be sent to the National Grid. In the evenings, when the sun’s not shining, you’ll effectively be buying back the energy you sold (via…
British Gas hike prices by 12.5%
British Gas – the biggest energy supplier in the country – has become the latest to announce a considerable rise in prices, following an accidental leak on their website. The cost of its electricity will go up by 12.5% as…
The advantages of sheep wool insulation
Insulation is one of the best ways to help increase the energy efficiency of the home. One of the most natural and sustainable ways to insulate your property is to use sheep wool insulation. Most of us are familiar with…
Energy Performance Certificates: Ten years on
The Energy Performance Certificate is 10 years old! EPCs were introduced on 1st August 2007 as a measure of the efficiency of homes and buildings. If you’re a private landlord and your EPC is more than 10 years old, you could…
The best ways to prevent damp in your home
Condensation can cause damp anywhere and once it’s taken hold, it can be difficult to get rid of. As well as looking pretty horrible, damp and mould can lead to structural problems and health issues too. As with anything, it’s easier to…
Huge changes announced to UK energy management
Today, some big changes have been announced which signal the beginning of the UK’s long-anticipated move to a ‘smarter’ grid system. Current rules on electricity usage and storage will be overwritten, in order to help the UK prevent a potential energy…
5 reasons to install an EV home charging point
Electric cars have several benefits. They’re far better for the planet, they are cheap to run, and they rarely need maintenance.But sometimes there is an idea that they are inconvenient to run, which puts people off. In fact, there’s nothing…
What are kiloWatt-hours and what is the cost per mile of an electric car?
When you’re thinking about buying an electric car, you’ll hear lots of technical terms bandied around. You may get told, for instance, that a car will cost a certain amount to run per kiloWatt-hour. This might not mean much to…
Volvo announce switch to electric cars
Great news this morning – Volvo have announced that from 2019 onwards they will not be making any cars that solely run on internal combustion engines (normally petrol or diesel). Instead the car giant will be adding electric battery technology…
What is an EPC?
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rates the relative energy efficiency of your home or commercial property. A qualified assessor visits your property and looks at every aspect of the building and the systems within it and gives it a rating from A-G,…
The Problem with the UK’s Smart Meter Rollout
It’s safe to say that recent governments’ efforts to install smart meters in UK households have not been universally popular. The national rollout scheme – originally intended to be completed in 2020 – is now encountering more problems, with fears…
What to think about when installing solar panels
Solar panels are a popular choice for those wanting to generate their own electricity. They’re relatively quick to install, easy to maintain, and can save you money while reducing your carbon footprint. There are a few things to consider when…
TheGreenAge: proud sponsors of The Apprentice-winning boiler installers…
We recently sponsored the Boiler Installer of the Year category at the East of England Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Awards. We are always delighted to be involved in the Awards, which set the standard for the industry. The winner of…
How much does rendering cost?
There are several reasons why people choose to render their homes. It provides a decorative finish that can really brighten up tired houses, especially those with damaged brickwork or existing discoloured render. It is also the final stage of external wall…
70% of the UK’s energy from low-carbon sources!
Last Sunday (11th June) saw solar, wind and nuclear providing a record 70% of the UK’s electricity. This is a huge milestone which shows how much renewables can bring to the UK’s energy mix. The huge impact of wind and…
Is external wall insulation safe?
As you might expect, we have had a huge number of calls and emails over the last couple of days regarding external wall insulation. It was with great sadness that we all witnessed the events at Grenfell Tower, in North…
5 Reasons to Get Cavity Wall Insulation
Cavity wall insulation involves inserting an insulating material between the two layers of brick that make up a cavity wall, either at the time of building or as a retrofit measure. Clearly, it’s not a choice if you have solid walls,…
Does smart heating save you money?
Heating controls have been around for a long time, and until recently there hadn’t been many developments. This has all changed with the introduction of ‘smart’ heating controls. These are highly personalisable and user-friendly systems that give you better control…
Trump pulls out of the Paris Agreement
Last night, in one of his most controversial moves yet, President Trump announced his intention to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement. What will it mean for the US and the rest of the world? We spoke to…
How do ground source heat pumps work?
What is a ground source heat pump? Heat pumps now make up 1% of the UK’s heating systems, and this figure is rising fast. Ground source heat pumps are a green and effective way to provide heating for on and off-grid properties.…
The environmental impacts of eating meat
Vegetarianism is on the rise in the UK and across the world. More than 5% of the UK’s population is vegetarian and the Vegan Society estimates that there are considerably more than half a million vegans in the UK. This…
5 reasons to get solar panels
Solar panels (also known as solar PV) are a great way to generate electricity at home. Although they are not a cheap investment, they are the most common type of home renewable in the UK. We’ve put together our top…
Solar panels: what happens to Feed-in Tariff payments when you move?
Solar panels are a great way to create free electricity in your own home. Aside from the savings you can make from being less reliant on importing energy from the National Grid, they also mean you can get monthly payments…
5 reasons to get infrared heating
If you read our blog regularly, you’ll know just how much we believe in the benefits of infrared heating – so much so that we’ve installed them in our offices! We’ve written a lot about the technology over the years,…
Conservative manifesto 2017: energy policy and the environment
Following a look at Labour’s new manifesto yesterday, we thought we’d take a look at the Conservatives’. There’s a lot more detail in regards to energy policies in the Conservatives’ offering – but it doesn’t really offer anything new. One…
Labour manifesto 2017: energy policy and the environment
We’ve had a look through Labour’s new manifesto and dug out their environmental policies to see whether or not they are offering a viable alternative to the current government’s lack of commitment in this area. You can also see our thoughts…
Busting energy saving myths: Part II
It can be quite hard to know how best to save energy in your home, because of all the conflicting facts and stories we hear. We’ve visited this subject before – but then we thought of even more commonly-held misbeliefs about energy…
What would an energy price cap mean for consumers?
Theresa May has promised a cap on energy prices if the Conservative party is reelected in next month’s referendum. The claim is that this change will in future cut as much as £100 off bills annually for the majority of…
Home Energy Scotland Loan launched
A new no-interest loan and cashback scheme has been introduced for those wanting to install energy efficiency measures in their properties. The Home Energy Scotland Loan makes funding available for homeowners and some private sector landlords to make improvements that will…
What’s next for battery storage technology?
What are the benefits of battery storage technology? Battery storage enables us to hold electricity and use it at a later point. This is important because it means that we don’t have to ensure a constant supply of electricity into…
What is MEES?
MEES is a set of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards set out by the Government for commercially-let properties. From April 2018, new MEES rules mean a landlord cannot renew or grant a new tenancy of longer than 6 months if their…
Should I get a flexible solar panel?
A flexible solar panel is a really useful bit of kit, especially if you’re an outdoorsy type. Obviously, installing a full solar PV system is a big financial commitment. You can be sure it’ll generate some energy, but you can’t know…
What to bear in mind when installing battery storage
What’s the cost of a battery storage system? Depending on the model and the size of the system, battery storage systems normally cost between £2000-£3500 to install. It’s a lot of money and you’ll want to make sure your system is…
Will I lose my Feed-in Tariff payments if I retrofit a solar PV battery system?
We were contacted recently by someone who wanted to know if their solar PV Feed-in Tariff payments would be affected if they installed a solar PV battery storage system. Before we answer, let’s start by introducing the two terms: The answer to the question…
Are electric radiators cheap to run?
Electric radiators are often the go-to alternative when a gas central heating system isn’t an option, but their running costs in comparison to other forms of heating are often a mystery to people. The question is: are electric radiators cheap to…
Illegal levels of air pollution putting UK children at risk
On Tuesday, the results of a joint investigation by Greenpeace and The Guardian revealed the vast scale of the UK air pollution crisis. A new angle of research showed that nearly 50,000 children across England and Wales are exposed to dangerous…
Should I get new storage heaters?
What are storage heaters? Storage heaters are a technology invented to get around the problem of wasted night-time electricity from nuclear and coal plants that cannot be switched off overnight. Put very simply, a insulated heating core inside is charged…
Perovskite: the key to more efficient solar technology?
Perovskite is a photovoltaic crystalline material used in solar PV panels. Its crystals are thinner, more flexible and easier to manufacture than silicon crystals. It is already revolutionising solar technology and is one of the most promising developments in the whole of the…
Free insulation for low income households
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government scheme making large energy suppliers responsible for installing home efficiency measures. This aims to combat fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions, by installing free insulation for those who need it most. Although…
How to choose the best energy tariff for you
Switching your energy tariff is one of the easiest ways to cut your outgoings – and it really can save you a lot. Finding the best energy tariff for you is really simple too. Loads of people get stuck in a…
Will the new Green Deal scrap the Golden Rule?
We wrote a few weeks ago saying that the Green Deal is going to be relaunched. First, though, there are a few issues to iron out. The main sticking point left over from the last Green Deal is the so-called…
Why do people hate solar panels?
It is fair to say that solar panels attract some controversy. There are a number of arguments against the technology, some more convincing than others. However, on the whole they are a pretty good thing – let us see if we…
Should I buy thermodynamic panels?
Thermodynamic panels are a form of renewable heating. They basically work similarly to air source heat pumps, but are less bulky and don’t require fans. The panels work by circulating liquid coolant which absorbs heat from the atmosphere and turns it into…
Can fibreglass insulation give you cancer?
Is there any truth in the rumour that fibreglass insulation gives you cancer? The short answer is… no! Here, we will run you through where we think the rumour came from, and whether there is anything behind it. We are…
What is black hole ventilation?
Black hole ventilation is a cheap and easy way to ensure you are keeping your home healthy and discouraging damp from forming in your walls. In this blog we are going to look at exactly what it is, how it…
Should I get a heated mirror for my bathroom?
A heated mirror is a great way to warm your bathroom, but standard mirrors can encourage humidity, leading to damp problems down the line. This is because bathrooms are often inadequately ventilated, so heating can lead to condensation. We have found an…
15 surprising energy facts
1 Only 5% of the power drawn by a phone charger is used to charge the phone – so remember to turn it off when you are done! 2 A typical microwave uses more electricity to keep its digital clock…
Will I get in trouble for a low EPC rating?
New regulations for private landlords mean you could be in for a hefty fine if the property you rent out has an EPC rating of E or lower. But more than that you may be prevented from renting out the…
Green Companies 2017: Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay Plc
Following last week’s feature on kite power, we are now focusing on tidal lagoon power, a technology also expected to make an impact in the next few days. We’ve written about Swansea Tidal Lagoon before, but until now it has…
How do smart meters work?
What are smart meters? Smart meters measure your gas and electricity and automatically send readings to your energy providers. They are currently being installed free of charge across the UK – the Government wants every house to have them by…
Why get a new boiler?
Why invest in an energy efficient boiler? Old boilers are often pretty inefficient. Most last around 15 years, so if yours is approaching this age, it might be time to think about getting a new boiler. Because your boiler can account…
Toxic Home Syndrome
Poor air quality has become a big worry in the UK. with its big cities repeatedly failing to meet air pollution targets. Experts estimate that up to half a million people die prematurely each year as a direct result of breathing…
Npower’s energy prices rise by 10%
Npower have just announced a price hike of 9.8% or £109 a year for their customers on dual fuel bills. From 16 March, the ‘big six’ energy provider will raise electricity prices by an average of 15% and gas prices by 4.8%.…
Green Companies 2017: Kite Power Systems
For the next few weeks, we are going to be featuring a series of green technology companies that we think are going to be key in future years. We will speak to the people who work for them and get…
Can I remove free solar panels from my roof?
There are now over half a million properties in the UK with solar panels on the roof. While many households have chosen to invest in solar panels to benefit from both the Feed-in Tariff and the free electricity produced, others…
Green energy suppliers
We often get asked if there are any green energy suppliers in the UK. As most of us draw our energy from the National Grid, it’s difficult to know how or where it is generated. What is a green energy…
What are the benefits of saving energy?
Thinking about saving energy can seem like a lot of hassle. For instance, a lot of people will just turn up the thermostat when they think their heating isn’t warm enough, rather than taking measures to stop hot air escaping.…
What does 2017 have in store?
Happy New Year everyone – we hope you had a great Christmas and New Year! So what does 2017 have in store for us? Well a couple of pretty positive signs over the festive period to kick off this year’s…
Can LED lighting be bad for your health?
As of September 2016, traditional incandescent light bulbs are being phased out in favour of LEDs. Shops and suppliers are now no longer allowed to buy in new stock. LEDs are being pushed in Europe because of their relative efficiency…
First time of use tariff introduced
We’ve been wondering for some time now if energy companies would start offering time of use tariffs in a bid to soften the predicted energy shortage in the UK. In fact, we first wrote about the idea back in 2012.…
Green New Year’s resolutions
The New Year is a good time to form new habits and shake off some of the (not so good) old ones. As far as energy efficiency goes, you probably have things you know you should be doing, but for one…
Christmas Company News
Merry Christmas everyone! The office will be closed from 4pm 23rd December, when the mince pie bingeing will commence. We have limited opening hours on the 28th, 29th and 30th and then we’ll be back on the 4th January ready…
Loft insulation case study – Richmond London
Yesterday, The GreenAge team went to help a local resident with her loft insulation. Normally we would recommend a local installer to carry out the works but the resident was very keen to get the loft insulation in place before…
The GreenAge guide to an eco-friendly Christmas
Avoid wasting food Food waste is a big issue at Christmas. The Environment Agency estimates that British households throw away 160,000 tonnes of food waste at Christmas. Here are a few tips to help you cut down: [amazon_link asins=’B0152WXI18′ template=’ProductAd’ store=’the0c3-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’0f25a9f7-ff2a-414f-8dce-70d5e6eadc28′]Don’t…
RHI rates have increased
2016 saw fewer people benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive, as budgets were cut and there was less support for those hoping to install alternative heating sources. However, in somewhat of a U-turn, the Government have announced that rates will now increase by…
10 tips for a green Christmas
Everyone likes a white Christmas, but most of us could do a lot more to have a green one! We’ve been thinking of easy ways to keep warm, cut down on energy use and save yourself money over what is…
Enfield Warm and Healthy Homes Scheme
Thousands of houses in the UK are hugely inefficient and many people lack the knowledge or money to do anything about it. Enfield Council has launched a new scheme to help residents stay warm and save money on their bills, in…
What are sun tunnels?
Also known as light tubes, light pipes or tubular skylights, sun tunnels transport natural light from the sun into your home. They allow you to transform a space where sunlight would not normally reach, such as hallways and passages. The idea…
A guide to home electric car chargers
Electric cars have many benefits; amongst other things, they’re better for the planet, quieter and lower maintenance than petrol/diesel cars. EV cars can be charged at public charging stations. Some are free, some charge a small fee, and they are…
Is hydropower renewable?
Hydropower – otherwise known as hydroelectricity – is a fast-growing form of energy generation. It has been used for more than 100 years, popularised in the USA with famous projects such as the Hoover Dam. How do hydropower plants work? Hydropower…
How can I improve the thermal comfort of my home?
What is thermal comfort? Thermal comfort is how warm you feel in your home. However, it is about more than just temperature, and there are many factors which affect it. These are as follows: Air temperature The temperature of the air…
Where can I charge my electric car?
Electric cars are growing in popularity due to improving technology and dropping prices. However, despite advances in battery storage, most electric cars still have quite a short range between charges. Tesla‘s Model 3 has a range of more than 200…
Is heating oil a cheap way to heat my home?
Many people in the UK still use heating oil to heat the homes – this is particularly common when the house is off the mains gas grid. There are two mains types of heating oil: • Gas oil (also known…
Are electric cars environmentally friendly?
The claim that electric cars are ‘100% eco friendly’ is somewhat misleading. They are vastly more so than petrol or diesel engines, because they release no emissions when driven. In reality, they could never be described as totally ‘green‘ for…
Energy saving facts and figures
[amazon_link asins=’B01MTCFQZU’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’the0c3-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’2816239e-113f-45bc-85b3-0064475c3d04′]Sometimes nothing beats cold, hard facts. With this in mind, we’ve scoured our brains and past blogs to collect as many energy saving costs and figures as we can think of! Hopefully some of these will…
An introduction to renewables
If you’ve heard of solar but you’re unsure of the science, or you want to find out more about what makes technologies sustainable, we’ve put together some quick facts about the main renewables used in the UK. Using naturally- occurring fuel does…
Quick fixes for a warm home
It is well worth thinking about how you can keep your home warm efficiently. If you’re clever about it, you’ll need less heating, saving yourself money and use less of the UK’s energy – a precious resource and one that…
Heat Genius case study
We are big believers in smart heating systems and Heat Genius is one of the smartest. The Heat Genius team have sent us over this case study of one of their recent jobs to give a clear idea of how…
How to build an energy efficient extension
An extension can be a great way to add space and value to your property, but there are loads of things to take into account when designing, building and decorating it. How can you factor energy efficiency into this? We give…
What is solar glass?
What makes solar glass different from traditional panels? BIPV – building-integrated photovoltaics – are solar panels designed to replace conventional building materials in parts such as the roof, skylights, facades and windows. The key difference between this technology and traditional…
Blame it on the weatherman
It’s been another busy week in the office and in the energy sector. The government have made some key decisions which are sure to affect the price we pay for our energy. We’ve also heard the first rumblings of Brexit…
Should I buy an electric car?
For years, the electric car industry was a growing, but niche, market. It is now broadening out to new customer bases thanks to new models, grants and battery technology. Tesla has given the industry a much-needed boost, bringing electric cars to…
A guide to solar energy
Solar energy has been used for centuries, since glass lenses were first used to make fire by magnifying the sun’s rays in the ancient world. Radiant heat and light from the sun can be harnessed and converted into electricity, used…
Energy saving lighting FAQs
Do I have to use energy saving lighting? Regulations brought in from September 2016 mean that (once existing stocks run out), halogen bulbs are banned from sale in the UK. You may still be able to pick them up in shops…
What’s the cheapest way to heat your home?
We’ve put together loads of heating comparison tables over the years, with prices per unit of fuel and kWh per unit, but we thought it might be useful to write a blog in practical terms everyone understands. What does each heating…
Solar PV battery storage
Battery storage – the key to using your own electricity 24/7 We’ve been writing about solar PV since it was a fairly new technology. While many early adopters were passionate about getting involved with this innovative and exciting technology, they did so with an…
How do I remove render?
There are a couple of reasons why you might want to remove render. Depending on what you are precisely after, either getting wet render or tidying up existing render, then this blog will actually try and address those points. We have…
How to keep warm in a student house
As the end of September creeps up, thousands of university students are moving into their accommodation for the next year. If this is you, you’ll know that the constant struggle between spending your beer money on heating and enjoying just one month…
Halogen bulbs banned in UK
The Energy Efficiency Directive was designed to help European countries reach 2020 carbon reduction targets. This comprises of several changes, but a big focus is greater regulation of the energy efficiency of household appliances. Having already been phased out in Europe,…
Why a Gas Safety certificate is not just a piece of paper
A Gas Safety certificate is a legal requirement for all rental properties in the UK where there are gas appliances present. If you live in a rented home, it is the landlord’s responsibility to get a certificate, but if you own your…
Company news – 14/09/2016
We are going to stray from form this week in terms of our company news. I have just returned from a trip to the West coast of Canada – the trip was spectacular, but there was one day that was…
What is lagging and is it worth doing?
Most homes in the UK have a complex network of water pipes. Insulating this pipework is called lagging and by sealing in heat, it saves energy and has a number of other benefits too. Here we talk you through reasons for the…
Replacing your oil boiler with infrared heating
You may have an oil boiler if you live in a rural property. Unlike electricity, gas is not a given everywhere in the UK, and some small towns are without a gas network. It can be frustrating to be lumbered…
10 top energy saving products 2016
The end of summer has got us feeling all retrospective about energy saving products we have seen this year. Here is a roundup of the favourites we have used and recommended over the past year. Some are new, some are old favourites, some are…
The pitfalls of overheating your home
We all like to feel cosy and comfortable in our own homes, and heating can be a costly business. But did you know that indulging too much can impact on more than just your bills? Cost Clearly, paying for heating…
What’s the best type of internal wall insulation?
Internal wall insulation can be an option if you have solid walls, don’t feel cavity wall insulation is enough or you don’t have the budget for external wall insulation. As 35% of heat is lost through the walls of a…
How long does cavity wall insulation last and can it be topped up?
Cavity wall insulation is a relatively cheap way to increase the thermal efficiency and comfort of your home. If your home was built since the 1930s, it’s probably got cavity walls. If it has, it’s very likely they’ve already been…
Company News 25/08/16
Preparation for a ‘cooler’ Autumn You know when it spins at the Oval, and the opposition is on top, you’ve had a scorching summer! Despite the uncharacteristically warmer-than-usual August, we’ve been fairly busy responding to lots of emails and calls…
Can I get a free ground source heat pump?
[These numbers are correct as of August 2016 but they are likely to change – check current rates here.] [amazon_link asins=’B011B3J6B8′ template=’ProductAd’ store=’the0c3-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’d14821cd-5c7c-436c-a556-44224073c0b1′]Heat pumps Heat pumps create hot water by absorbing heat from the ground or air, into a…
Should I get spray foam insulation?
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) has been around for decades as a relatively cheap and quick to install type of insulation. Typically applied to the roof and walls of the attic, once sprayed, it expands and hardens. It has to be…
Heating a church with infrared
Churches are often big, draughty spaces with inadequate or inefficient heating. Their high ceilings and stone walls may be beautiful, but they are difficult to heat. The other thing about churches is that they have been constructed with traditional brick…
Are thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) worth it?
Thermostatic radiator valves are an easy way to increase your control over the temperature of your home and save yourself money on your energy bills. What do thermostatic radiator valves do? If your current heating system contains of just one centralised boiler…
Get rid of damp with infrared heating
Damp in your home can be really frustrating. It can also be really hard to get rid of once it has settled into walls. Sometimes it is caused by condensation arising from poor ventilation, but sometimes the problem comes from inside…
Is infrared the best way to heat your home office?
These days, more and more people are working from home. Whilst this brings some advantages, it can be difficult to build an environment which enables you to work the best you can. Getting the room to a comfortable temperature is…
Have smart thermostats got smarter?
Smart thermostats stop you having to fiddle with your heating and make sure your house stays a nice ambient temperature. We’ve reviewed lots of them before but we thought it was time for an update, as they keep getting better! There…
Prepare your baby’s room the eco way!
There’s so much to think about when preparing to bring your baby home from the hospital. You may have to make changes to your home – and eventually they will need a room of their own. We have a few suggestions…
Why should I get a solar battery storage system at home?
Through panels on your roof, a solar PV system is a reliable way to harness free electricity. Radiant light and heat from the sun is converted into electricity, to be used for lighting, hot water and heating. The benefits are clear:…
Business News: DECC scrapped – 29th July 2016
DECC scrapped in government reshuffle So what is new over the last couple of weeks? Well following Theresa May’s appointment, DECC – the office responsible for coming up with our energy blueprint – has been scrapped. Instead the energy remit…
Introduction to floor insulation
Insulation is perhaps our most recommended energy saving measure. The investment is worth it to regulate the temperature of your home and it normally pays for itself in the savings it can makto energy bills. Floor insulation is an often-forgotten type,…
What is PAS 2080?
May 2016 saw the launch of a new standard for carbon reduction in the construction industry, PAS (Publicly Available Specification) 2080. PAS 2080 was introduced to increase understanding of whole life carbon management within infrastructure (water, energy, transport, communications and waste).…
An introduction to storage heaters
What are storage heaters? Storage heaters are a form of electric convection heating with no plumbing or pipework. They are wired into the mains and have ceramic or clay bricks inside them. These bricks are heated at night, making use of the…
How to make the most of your heating
It’s easy to waste money with inefficient heating, but small behavioural changes and inexpensive products can make an instant difference to your energy bills. So, here are a few easy tips on how to save money and keep your home at…
DECC has been scrapped!
The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), previously headed up by new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd, has been scrapped by incoming PM Theresa May. In a massive reshuffle, May has announced a new Department…
An introduction to LED Lighting
How do LED bulbs differ from other light bulbs? LED bulbs are an energy efficient alternative to standard light bulbs. Traditional incandescent bulbs work by passing an electric current through an extremely thin filament which becomes very hot, thereby emitting light. Of…
Energy Sector News – 13 July 2016
So it has been a busy week in the world of politics and the energy sector seems to have been slightly put to one side, however three interesting bits of news have come out. 1. Hinkley C is now going…
An introduction to infrared heating
How does infrared heating work? Unlike traditional forms of heating, infrared works through radiation, not convection. Infrared light is the reason we feel warm in the sun, even when the air temperature is low. Infrared waves travel through space and…
TheGreenAge Guide to Saving Water
Heating water costs all of us, but saving water is even more important if your home is on a water meter. It may surprise you to know that in the UK, the average person uses 150 litres of water per…
What is eco paint?
Paint is an easy – and often cheap – way to transform your home. However, it can be dangerous for both human health and the environment. There are a huge number of products on the market, and it can be confusing…
An introduction to smart meters
What are smart meters? Smart meters can be installed in your home to record real time electricity and gas usage in households and businesses. It sends data straight to energy companies, meaning less fuss for the homeowner, as they no longer…
An introduction to internal solid wall insulation
Does my property have solid walls? If your house was built prior to the 1930s, the chances are that it has solid walls – simply a solid layer of masonry bricks- rather than cavity walls. According to research twice as much heat…
UK exits EU: impacts on energy and green policies
Yesterday, the UK voted to leave the EU. What does this mean, if anything, for energy prices and green policies? A couple of months ago we wrote a blog about the latter. There will probably be no instant impact – it could…
An introduction to cavity wall insulation
What is cavity wall insulation? Properties built since the 1930s usually have cavity walls. These are built from two layers – or ‘skins’ – of bricks, with an air gap between them. This air gap – or cavity as it…
Busting energy saving myths
It’s easy to fall victim to bad advice when you turn to the internet.It can be really frustrating when your research actually results in you spending more money! So we’ve been thinking of common energy-saving ‘tips’ we’ve heard (or even…
Renewable energy: comparing Sweden with the UK
Scandinavian countries are leading the way for renewable energy generation and Sweden wants to become the first fossil fuel-free country in the world. A few years ago we looked at combined heat and power in the country. This time we are taking…
How can I soundproof my home?
Do you live on a busy road and traffic noise is keeping you awake at night? Are you fed up of listening to your neighbours arguing? Maybe you’ve heard enough of the dubious house music making its way through your floors…
The environmental impact of nuclear power generation
Nuclear is considered by many a ‘clean’ form of energy; but this viewpoint is controversial for a reason. With Chernobyl – and the more recent Fukushima disaster – at the forefront of social consciousness, the idea of nuclear having a place in the modern energy…
Support grows for Swansea Tidal Lagoon
Conservative MPs have overwhelmingly backed a new project planning to harness renewable energy from the sea. A ComRes poll has shown that 83% of Conservative MPs support the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon. This forms a marked contrast with recent measures…
An introduction to external solid wall insulation
Does my property have solid walls? If your house was built prior to the 1930s, the chances are that it has solid walls (simply a solid layer of masonry bricks). According to research, twice as much heat could be lost through an…
Offshore wind energy may soon be cheaper than fossil fuels
11 leading offshore wind companies signed a document ahead of Monday’s EU Council meeting, stating that within a decade, offshore wind could generate electricity as cheaply as fossil fuels. However, it all relies on EU countries prioritising growth in the industry.…
Why should I get external wall insulation?
If you’ve read our blog before, you may have seen us recommending solid wall insulation. With 35% of heat in your home lost through the walls, we think it’s the best way to insulate your home. Here are our 10…
Is there a future for hydrogen energy?
This week, Tesla co-founder Elon Musk called hydrogen power a ‘scam’. Musk said the technology is flawed because ‘the energy equation is terrible’. He also pointed out that hydrogen is very reactive, and therefore it is difficult to stop it bonding…
Which is better: chimney sheep or chimney balloon?
As chimneys are designed to draw air up and out of a building, lots of heat can be lost in this way. Blocking it with a draught excluder can be a good quick fix to keep you warm and stop…
5 quick tips to save energy in your home
We’ve rounded up some of the best and simplest energy saving tips to help you save money on your bills – and help the planet too! These are quick, easy measures you can take without making big changes to your lifestyle or…
Largest floating wind farm in the world to be built in Scotland
Soon, gas won’t be the only form of energy produced in the North Sea. Scotland is to be home to the largest floating wind farm in the world – Hywind – featuring five 6 megawatt turbines. Developers have been granted…
Experts warn of approaching ‘energy gap’
A stark warning was issued this week: if considerable action is not taken, the UK faces blackouts in the next decade. On Tuesday, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) released a report entitled ‘Engineering the UK’s Electricity Gap’. The group estimated…
The comprehensive guide to loft insulation
We have written loads of blog posts about loft insulation over the years. Here we’ve gathered them together to give you a one stop guide and hopefully answer all the questions you may have! Why should I insulate my roof space?…
Making electricity from footsteps: is Pavegen the future for renewable energy?
On Wednesday I watched Pavegen’s Apple-style online live stream launch of their new product. It’s a London company which makes smart flooring that harnesses kinetic energy from footsteps. The company offers customisable surfaces to be used in high-volume public spaces, such…
Which appliances use the most energy?
We’ve rounded up the biggest energy-guzzling appliances in your home to help you save money on your bills! [button_page_link title= “Energy saving: the numbers you need to know” url=”https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/energy-saving-facts-and-figures/” image=”https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Screen-Shot-2016-10-21-at-13.31.55-780×350.png” button_text=”Read more”][/button_page_link] Fridge-freezer Fridge-freezers often account for 5% of a…
Why ventilate windows?
Do I need window vents? It’s all very well us ensuring our homes are energy efficient, but sometimes we are so obsessed with keeping heat in, we forget the importance of ventilation. The better insulated your house is, the more…
Public support for fracking has dropped sharply
The Department of Energy and Climate Change last week published their latest Public Attitudes Tracking survey. One of its key findings is a substantial dip in support for hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as fracking. The government survey shows that support…
Using thermal imaging to measure efficiency
What exactly is thermal imaging? And what is it used for? Originally developed for military use with the invention of heat seeking missiles in the 1960s, thermal imaging translates thermal energy (heat) into visible light in order to analyse heat transfer. It is…
Is making electricity from cheese the future?
Lake District Creamery, which makes cheddar, is putting its tonnes of waste to a good use: turning it into electricity with an on-site anaerobic digestion plant. This plant in rural Cumbria could pave the way for a revolution in renewable…
Would leaving the EU affect environmental policies in the UK?
It is claimed by many that the EU has been one of the main drivers behind environmental improvement in the UK. This IEEP review lists key environmental achievements of the EU, including a fall in greenhouse gas emissions and a big rise…
How does insulation work?
As we head into the summer, this may seem like a strange time to be talking about insulating. However, summer is actually the best time to insulate your property. This is for two reasons: [list_circle] It will be done by…
Installing brick slips with external wall insulation
It is estimated that there are 7 million homes in the UK with uninsulated solid walls. We recommend external wall insulation for a number of reasons; aside from the obvious benefit of increased thermal efficiency, it helps protect walls, muffles sound…
London air pollution at dangerously high levels: Will the new mayor fix it?
On 5th May, London will vote for a new mayor. The pressure is on for Boris Johnson’s successor to deliver a greener future for the capital; only 16% of Londoners think politicians are doing enough to protect the environment. Boris Johnson’s legacy…
Will the Tesla Model 3 mark a new phase for electric cars?
Electric cars have long been hailed by some as the future of driving. But until now, with high price tags and a lack of charging points, they have always been somewhat of a novelty. With the launch of the Model…
Rise in UK renewable energy generation
Despite the Conservative government repeatedly slashing support for renewable energies, the UK’s annual carbon dioxide emissions fell by 4% in 2015. The main reason for this is a huge decrease in coal power generation. What was the biggest reason for…
Significant changes to the RHI scheme – April 2016
While the government took the decision to cut FIT payments drastically as a means of cost saving, when it comes to the Renewable Heat Incentive, it appears they are very keen to expand it. DECC announced earlier this month that…
The environmental effects of coal
Coal power is reliable and relatively inexpensive, but it is controversial for a reason. The catastrophic environmental impacts of coal power generation are well known. Now, new research published on World Water Day has revealed that during energy production, coal power plants…
What’s the point in repointing?
What is pointing? Pointing is the mortar around bricks in a wall that holds the structure and ensures weatherproofing. Bricks are built to last hundreds of years. The mortar surrounding them, however, is sadly not. This ‘pointing’ will need a…
What is fuel poverty?
Most of us welcomed the official start of spring this week. We have ridden out months of cold weather and we can finally look forward to some sunshine. However, for many winter is more than a nuisance; it is a danger.…
Is underfloor heating better than radiators?
[amazon_link asins=’B00V52HDYS’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’the0c3-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’affe28eb-d697-4e8d-9cec-ffbefcfbf653′]If you are fed up of trying to keep warm in a freezing house, it could be time to try something new. Maybe it’s the cost of heating, or the fact it seems to disappear…
A new homeowner’s guide to saving energy
What are the best ways to save energy? So you’ve recently bought your first home. It can seem like there’s loads of stuff you’re suddenly expected to know about saving energy. Don’t feel overwhelmed! Most of it’s pretty straightforward. Small changes…
Should I get a single room heat recovery unit?
We all know what it’s like in the winter – sitting in a stuffy house because we’re obsessed with ‘keeping heat in’. Single room heat recovery units look to be a solution, pumping room-temperature fresh air into our homes. They can be expensive…
Bleeding and balancing radiators
We’re all looking forward to the summer, but we’re not quite there yet. With that in mind, here’s how to make the most of your central heating by bleeding and balancing radiators. Do you have cold spots in your home? This…
What is the future for UK nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy in the UK is fast approaching crisis point, with plans for a new £18billion power plant significantly delayed. Why do we need new nuclear energy plants? There is a danger of energy blackouts without a succession plan for…
Heatmiser SmartStat review – March 2016
About 9 months ago we moved into our new home – and as such it gave me free reign to install as much energy saving equipment as I liked (which I am sure my partner greatly appreciated!). One of the…
How to avoid cowboy tradesmen
Many of the energy saving solutions we talk about on TheGreenAge involve doing some sort of work to your property or business – while some of these are easy DIY solutions, some require the help of a professional tradesman. A…
The Changes to the FIT Explained – 2016
For many years the government has incentivised households and business to adopt renewable energy technologies via the Feed-in Tariff. The FIT is basically a payment made to the owner of solar PV systems (and other electricity producing renewable technologies) for…
British Gas announces 37% profits for last year! What action can we take?!
It was announced this morning that British Gas’s profits have soared 31% in the 12 months up to 31st December 2015. It is not a massive surprise considering the price of oil has fallen so sharply over the last 18 months.…
Using sheep wool to insulate my loft
Using sheep wool to insulate my loft – a case study Loft insulation is one of the easiest ways to save money on your energy bills- so when we moved in to our new house, it was one of the first…
Merry Christmas from everyone here at TheGreenAge!
We would like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas! It has been a really exciting year here at TheGreenAge with over 1.5m users taking advantage of our resources to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient.…
How to modernise a period property
Old properties are notoriously difficult to modernise, but just last week we put the following touches to a property just south of Reading that has undergone a complete retrofit over the last 2 years. Back in November 2013 when we were…
The Christmas Book Review – Part 2
Last week I reviewed two children’s books for TheGreenAge Christmas book review. Giving those of you buying presents for children this year some positive ideas. My little girl is still is still loving the activities introduced in the ‘This is…
Does turning up the thermostat warm the house quicker?
Most men appreciate a new gadget and I am no different – last week I had the new Heatmiser Smartstats installed in my home. These thermostats are the latest offering from Heatmiser and I have to say I am very…
GreenAge Book Review – Part 1
I have loved doing this year’s GreenAge Christmas book review, mainly because they have given me free reign to choose the books to review, so I have picked a handful that I have been meaning to read for a while.…
Thoughts on Amber Rudd’s Energy Policy Speech – November 2015
Amber Rudd made a speech today, on a new direction for the energy policy of the UK. While some of it was good news (getting rid of coal power plants for example) we felt most of it seemed pretty short…
Buying a house with solar panels
Well over 500,000 properties in the UK now have solar panels installed on their roofs – this equates to approximately 2% of the 28,000,000 homes here in the UK. There is therefore a reasonable chance that if you are in…
Do Standby Savers Really Save You Energy?
Standby savers – the truths Many household appliances have a standby mode – in this mode, these appliances use a fraction of the energy compared to when they are properly operational…however they do use some! It is estimated, here in…
Could the export tariff for Solar PV be increased?
When the Government announced plans to reduce the feed-in tariff I think it took everyone in the industry by surprise. The Government’s plan is to reduce the feed-in tariff by 85% in January 2016 – which will severely dent the…
How Do Solar Power Diverters Work?
We get a fair few comments regarding solar power diverters here at TheGreenAge. These clever little gadgets prevent electricity produced from your solar panels from being exported back to the grid by diverting the electricity to the immersion instead. Why…
Adding additional solar panels to an existing system
With the proposed reduction to the solar feed-in tariff, we are getting a huge amount of interest from people looking to install their new solar panels before the 1st January (the date that the proposed cuts would take place). We…
Cavity Wall Insulation Extraction – A Case Study
More and more consumers are getting in touch with us about cavity wall insulation – you would of thought that the majority would be looking to install the cavity wall insulation bearing in mind we are an energy saving blog,…
Could a wood-burning stove cut my energy bills?
Wood burning stoves seem incredibly popular at the moment, with more and more homeowners making the switch – but why is their suddenly so much interest in them? Well once you get them installed, if you can source the wood…
Will killing the feed-in tariff kill solar?
With the news that the Government are all but withdrawing the feed-in tariff, many think that the end of solar PV could soon be upon us. The feed-in tariff was introduced in 2010 to help drive uptake of solar panels…
Nick on Radio 4 today speaking about LED and Solar
10 Reasons To Use Rockwool Insulation In Your Homeome
If you are insulating the walls of your home there are a few different materials you can use. One material that is growing in popularity is Rockwool – which like the name suggests is wool made from molten rock. A…
Is electric heating expensive?
In the UK, the cost of electricity is 10-15p/kWh and the cost of gas is just 3.5-4p Therefore, on the face of it, heating with electricity is considerably more expensive than heating with mains gas (e.g. a boiler). How much…
Big Changes in the Private Rental Market
Did you know that from 2018, private landlords will not be able to rent their properties out if the energy rating (i.e. the EPC rating) of the property is less than E. That means if an EPC is carried out…
EDF Announce Delay to planned Nuclear Plant Hinkley Point
We hate to say we told you so, but we have heard form EDF that Britain’s first new nuclear power plant in a generation has been delayed and will not start generating power by 2023 as previously planned. The plan…
The Problem with the Nest Intelligent Thermostat
Smart thermostats have become all the range over the last 12-18 months, with more and more people installing them in their home to help lower energy bills and better manage their heating requirements. All the large heating control companies have…
The proposed reduction to the solar PV feed-in tariff in Jan 2016
The Feed-in tariff scheme (FITs) was introduced in April 2010 by the UK government to promote the deployment of small-scale renewable and low carbon electricity generation technologies as part of their obligation to meet the Renewable Energy Directive. The scheme…
The running costs of infrared heating
If you have been reading TheGreenAge blog for a while, you will know that we are pretty keen on infrared heating. If you live in a home that doesn’t have access to mains gas, then unfortunately your heating choices are…
7 reasons why you should swap to LED lighting
There are about 700 million light bulbs in UK homes (an average of 25 bulbs for each of the 28 millions houses) but only a fraction of these are LED lights. LED bulbs have lots of advantages over incandescent bulbs…
Energy saving housekeeping ahead of winter
About this time of year we always see a bit of a spike in our website traffic. Obviously being an energy saving website, as you might expect we get more website traffic during the cooler winter months than during the…
5 easy ways to make your home greener
Today we are going to take a look at 5 of the easiest ways to make your home just a little bit greener – from the quick and easy to the weekend home improvement project these small changes will help…
Thickness of solid wall insulation and U-values you can achieve
According to the planning portal if more than 25% of the solid wall is renovated with solid wall insulation the installation needs to adhere with building regulations. Building regulations stipulate that a solid wall needs to achieve a u-value of 0.3W/m2K…
GreenAge Plus Energy Surveys – a service tailored to your home!
In the aftermath of the Green Deal being canned by the Government in 2015 we are pleased to announce that we are still offering free and up to date energy saving advice across TheGreenAge website as well as tailored energy saving assessments…
Why did the Green Deal fail?
The Green Deal was the Governments flagship energy saving program here in the UK. It ran for a couple of years and despite being simple in principle – the energy savings produced from installing a measure are used to cover the…
Is the residential solar PV feed in tariff about to stop?
Is the solar PV feed-in tariff about to be cut? After last weeks announcement regarding the end of the Green Deal, we had a very interesting chat today with one of our solar installers who has some great contacts in…
The Green Deal is finished
UPDATE: Please note if you have GDHIF vouchers already, they are unaffected. You have until the expiry date on the voucher to get the work done and claim your funding. Amber Rudd, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary announced today…
Why now is the best time to install solar panels
Solar PV is already hugely popular here in the UK with over 600,000 households benefiting from solar panels installed on their roofs. You might think that solar PV is made for ‘Greenies’ who dream of living off grid, but actually…
10 ways to stop condensation occurring in your home
Condensation is a big worry for homeowners, but interestingly it is normally a result of their actions that it actually occurs. Condensation forms when the water vapour produced by the occupants and their activities / actions hits a cool surface…
EU to raise VAT rate on the Install of Energy Saving Measures
We did wonder what would happen with the energy saving sector as a result of the Conservatives gaining the majority in 2015’s General election. We were expecting announcements on the Energy Company Obligation, the Green Deal and even the subsidies…
Competitively priced boiler in London
Why should I replace my boiler? The spring and summer months are always the best time of the year to look at your home’s energy needs – the heating is off, and so it is the only time of year…
Should I replace my double glazing?
Well-installed double-glazing can make a real difference to the comfort of your home and they can significantly improve the look too, but most window companies do charge a lot for them – so is now the time to consider replacing…
Is the Flow boiler worth it?
Earlier this year a new domestic boiler was introduced onto the market that produces hot water as well as electricity that can be used in the home to power lights and appliances. The Flow boiler is a type of CHP…
Have a voucher for solid wall insulation? Get additional quotes!
The rush to grab a GDHIF voucher for solid wall insulation was pretty intense. We witnessed first hand the volume of people coming through trying to get works carried out under the scheme, but it was pretty difficult for us…
CIGA – An interview with Gerry Miller – the CEO
Cavity wall insulation is one of the most popular energy saving solutions available since it is relatively cheap to do but the resulting savings are pretty substantial. It is currently getting a lot of bad press here with installers not installing…
Smart meter roll-out is kicking off in earnest!
And it begins! Smart meter advertising campaign has kicked off! Driving along in the car today, I heard two adverts for the recent roll out of smart meters. The theory is that by 2020 we will all have a smart meter…
CHP Boilers – their time will come!
CHP boilers produce both electricity and hot water! We get an awful lot of interest in CHP boilers for the home; these are pretty much like conventional boilers, however the difference is that they also produce electricity when they fire…
Is the Green Deal helping those who need it?
The Green Deal is the Governments flagship energy efficiency scheme, which they hoped would improve the efficiency of millions of homes in the UK. The scheme is now over two years old, but are the people that actually need the…
Smart Homes grants are ending soon so act fast!
The Smart Homes scheme is a fantastic offer if you live in any of the following 6 boroughs – Haringey, Islington, Camden, Waltham Forest, Hackney or Enfield In a nutshell, the scheme allows anyone who lives in a solid wall…
Bad news for those looking to install Biomass
Biomass has seen a boom in popularity since the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was introduced in April 2014. The RHI payment was introduced to drive up take of heating systems that produced spacing heating and hot water from low carbon…
Should I swap to a green energy tariff?
We gets lots of requests from our users about energy suppliers – questions like which supplier is the cheapest, who provides the best customer service and which of the suppliers are Green Deal participants. One question that seems to be…
Green Deal Home Improvement Fund is Live!
UPDATE: As of 30 March 2016, the government has stopped funding and the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund is closed to new applications. You can read about it here. GDHIF is now live again – we are not sure for how long…
How can I keep my home warm this winter?
As the cold weather begins to set in, now is the perfect time to prepare your home ahead of winter to ensure that you can stay nice and toasty inside, even if the temperature outside drops significantly. The key about…
Phase 3 of GDHIF will soon be upon us!
We are expecting the new GDHIF grant to go live next week and although there has been no official announcement yet, we just want everyone to be prepared for when it does. We are expecting the announcement at ECOBuild so please…
Do solar panels increase house value?
You might be thinking about buying a house with solar PV already installed, or you might have solar PV on your roof and you are looking to sell your property. In the article below we look at whether solar PV…
How building regulations have changed over time
How building regulations have tightened up over the last 50 years We often talk about U-values here at TheGreenAge – these have changed considerably over the years as building regulations were bought in to help improve the energy efficiency of…
What insulation materials are used in EWI?
What insulation materials are used in external wall insulation? There are lots of different external wall insulation systems used to insulate solid wall properties – the EWI system includes the type of insulation, the render as well as the fixings…
RHI Legacy applications assume a low SPF
RHI Legacy applicant assumes low SPF We had an interesting question from one of our readers last week regarding legacy RHI claims. It is assumed that any heat pump installed before the 9th April 2015 (known as a legacy install)…
Can each flat in a block claim the GDHIF grant?
Now we know the GDHIF solid wall grant lasted all of 30 hours when the second round of funding was released in December, but for those who got it, it is obviously a great way to make the payback of…
How to videos – helping you solve some winter heating headaches!
According to some, this winter is going to be the coldest on record for a century, and we are all well-aware that Christmas is the most expensive time of the year, however it’s not all doom and gloom. Our friends…
GDHIF Phase 2 – solid wall Insulation grant all gone (30 hours!)
GDHIF lasted 30 hours – Well done DECC! So that’s it! We have just heard from DECC that the £24m set aside to help subsidise the cost of solid wall insulation as part of the GDHIF scheme has all gone…
Protect the elderly and vulnerable from the cold this winter!
Protecting the elderly and vulnerable from a cold home Cold weather can be dangerous for everyone; in a typical winter 25,000 elderly and vulnerable people die as a direct result of the cold weather, with further deaths resulting from the…
TheGreenAge is now part of the RetrofitWorks Cooperative!
Yesterday our membership to RetrofitWorks was confirmed. This is a network of small to medium enterprises aimed at reducing CO2 emissions as well as household energy bills. The cooperative is multi-stakeholder and owned by its members, making it the first…
Keeping the lights on over Christmas 2014
It appears things aren’t looking too good at the moment for the energy companies – supply is down and if we have a cold winter, for the first time in a very long time we could be facing energy blackouts.…
Solar PV and Green Deal Finance
UPDATE: As of 30 March 2016, the government has stopped funding and the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund is closed to new applications. You can read about it here. I sat down with Bernard Hughes last week, the Communications Director from the…
USwitch – how to save £100s on your energy bills in under 2 minutes!
Use Uswitch Now to save £100’s on your energy bills I’ve been looking at my energy bills again this month, to make sure I’m not paying too much. I’ve been aware of energy companies changing their tariffs recently (aren’t they…