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: It will be done by the…
Understanding your energy tariff: standing charges and usage charges
Over the last couple of years, the Government have made a real effort to simplify energy tariffs. We have looked at these before – both electricity and gas – but since these changes we thought we should revisit the subject.…
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…
Looking for a more intelligent heating control system?
Are the old dial thermostats destined for the scrapheap? For most of us, the room thermostat is a simple dial on the wall that allows you (in theory at least) to control the temperature of the home. I say ‘in…
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…
Comparing infrared heating with storage heaters
Many people rely on electrical heating to keep their homes nice and warm during the colder winter months. Despite the fact the cost of a unit of electricity is 3x the cost of gas (so electric heating is far more…