What renewable energy options are available?

Households have a few choices, all are designed to make the home more environmentally friendly and cut the cost of energy bills.

Solar Power

A popular choice these days, and easy to get hold of and install. Solar power is completely natural, and emits zero carbon which makes it the greenest renewable energy option.

It works using solar panels to harness the sun’s energy to produce energy to heat water or even produce electricity. To work, solar panels require daylight so even if it is cloudy or overcast they will still produce energy. They are usually installed on the roof of a home, but whereabouts is crucial to maximize their productivity. For instance, installing them directly in the shade or under a large tree would limit the amount of energy generated.

Although the initial cost of installing them may be slightly tough on the wallet, once in, solar panels require little maintenance. Plus they will cut energy bills considerably as well as making a huge difference to your home’s carbon footprint.

Wind Turbines

According to studies, the UK has around 40% of Europe’s total wind energy. But we currently use less than a percent of this to generate our electricity. Wind energy is 100% natural and free, and because we have an abundance of it we can use it to cut our energy bills and our carbon emissions.

Many people think wind turbines are huge devices which require lots of space in order to work, but these days there are various compact versions ideal for the domestic market. Where you situate your wind turbine is essential, because wind energy increases with height, so the higher it is the more electricity it will generate.

Wind turbines work by harnessing the power of the wind to generate electricity for a home, so once yours is installed you will save considerably on your bills.

You could save even more by connecting to the National Grid, where you will receive money for the excess electricity your wind turbine produces. To find out more about this, visit the energy advisory website energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Heat Pumps

These are designed to pump heat from one place to the next. There are a few types available, and all are designed to lower your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills.

Types of heat pump:

Ground Source

This cleverly works by using pipes under your garden to absorb heat from the ground and pump it to your radiators for heating and your taps for hot water. It’s also a good choice if you have under-floor heating.

You can also expect a constant heating supply, because beneath its surface the ground has a constant temperature, even during the winter months. A ground source heat pump works in a loop, which tends to be a pipe buried in your garden. Water and antifreeze is pumped around this loop by the heat pump, which along the way absorbs heat from the ground. The system requires electricity to work, which means it is not 100% carbon free; however the heat extracted from the ground is constantly being renewed naturally.

A ground source heat pump is pricey, with some of the more sophisticated systems costing up to £6,000 to install. They will however lower your carbon emissions by around 540kg per year.

Air Source

These work by drawing energy from the air to use for heating up a home and providing hot water. These can work even when temperatures are as low as minus 15 degrees, but like ground source heat pumps do require electricity to run.

They are easier to install than their ground source counterparts, but are not as effective. They will reduce your energy bills, and because they run on electricity they reduce your need for gas.

Water Source

These tend to be the most efficient. Here energy is absorbed from a body of water, like a stream. This is only suited if you have access to running water which makes them a limited domestic choice.

For further information about renewable energy options, visit energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Source:
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/cym/Generate-your-own-energy/Air-source-heat-pumps

The plans were revealed by Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne during his speech at the Economist UK Energy Summit. Huhne promised a £90 billion investment into the new energy efficiency drive, saying it would create thousands of jobs because 14 million wasteful homes would receive home energy efficiency improvements, like insulation.

The overall aim would be to cut the amount of energy households are using, reduce their energy bills and lower carbon emissions. Under the new scheme, energy companies, local authorities and even high street retailers will be given up to £6,500 towards insulating millions of homes classed as the most energy-wasteful.

The new initiative does not require householders to pay anything, because the money spent on improving their homes will be claimed back from the money saved in lower energy bills.

Huhne told the Summit this will help the UK’s economic recovery. He said, ‘The market is big. There are up to 14m homes in the UK which could benefit. We are working on the package for each home, which could unlock tens of billions of spending over many years.’

He added, ‘Energy saving is the cheapest way of closing the gap between demand and supply, yet it is the Cinderella of the energy ball. At the moment, we may as well be burning £50 notes outside our front doors.’

The new Green Deal will also provide extra help for vulnerable households, like those in fuel poverty or living in hard to heat homes which do not have cavity walls. The onus would be put on energy suppliers and local authorities to provide this additional support.

The government also wants the home improvements to be done by independent installers as well as the big firms like British Gas and EDF. Huhne stressed, ‘A competitive market will provide best value and confidence in products for the customer.’

Sources:
http://www.confused.com/news/household/energy/huhne-to-launch-green-homes-deal-2251285931
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/money/guardian/news/2010/06/24/chris-huhnes-efficiency-drive-to-turn-wasteful-houses-green.html?page=2
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/politics/article-23848593-chris-huhne-14-million-homes-could-benefit-from-green-deal.do

Supported by Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne who will run the department, Cameron affirmed to his audience of civil servants his commitment to tackling climate change and making the environment a top priority for his government.

In his speech, Cameron said, ‘There is a fourth minister in this department who cares passionately about this agenda and that is me, the prime minister, right. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.’

Huhne added, ‘Climate change is in my view, our view, the greatest challenge facing mankind.’ He then talked about his plan to go ‘further and faster than ever before’.

Cameron went on to formally announce his government’s pledge to cut carbon emissions by 10% in its first 12 months. To help deliver this, he would introduce a new initiative where the government’s real time energy consumption rates would be published. The aim was to lead by example by offering transparency, and ultimately cutting carbon emissions. He believed it was ‘a new way of tackling climate change and a new way of doing politics’.

He also announced his plan to introduce five year fixed term parliaments which he believed would also benefit how environmental issues were tackled. He said, ‘Nowhere are long-term decisions more needed than actually in the fields of energy and climate change and environment’.

During his speech, the prime minister highlighted three areas for Huhne’s department to prioritise. These are the green economy, climate change and energy security. Cameron said, ‘We’ve got a real opportunity to drive the green economy to have green jobs, green jobs and make sure we have our share of the industries of the future.’

Although the coalition’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions by 10% was welcomed by the World Development Movement, it’s director, Deborah Doane remained cautious, saying ‘History will judge this government on its green credentials by its policies to cut the UKs emissions dramatically and getting a fair international climate deal, not by turning off its lights at night.’ She added, ‘any suggestion that blue and yellow means a green government are premature because there are so many unanswered questions about the policies’.

The Sustainable Development Commission, an official government watchdog responded more positively. Its chair Will Day said, ‘This is an excellent first step, which has the potential to pay dividends in terms of saving public money through energy efficiency, and contributing towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy for the future.’

Sources:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/14/cameron-wants-greenest-government-ever
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthcomment/geoffrey-lean/7726032/David-Camerons-coalition-is-off-to-a-green-start.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthcomment/geoffrey-lean/7726032/David-Camerons-coalition-is-off-to-a-green-start.html
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/20318

It is simple to start doing your bit for the environment with an energy tariff from renewable sources. Many people think a green energy tariff is more expensive, but this is not the case. In fact, you will find the majority of them are set at a similar rate to what you are paying already. Green energy tariffs come with added benefits, reducing the impact on the environment is the obvious one, but you could save money too.

By law, all energy suppliers must purchase at least 8% of their electricity from renewable sources, so by joining a green tariff you can help them. A green energy tariff means your energy supplier will provide renewable energy to the national grid, who will in turn supply energy to your home.

We have reviewed the latest green energy tariffs from the ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers to help you make your choice.
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EON – Go Green

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EON’s Go Green tariff uses 100% renewable energy sources for its electricity, and offsets carbon dioxide emissions for gas consumption.

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British Gas’ Zero Carbon & Future Energy Tariffs

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There are two green energy tariffs to choose from British Gas; Zero Carbon which is a 100% carbon neutral dual fuel tariff – that’s zero carbon footprint and Future Energy which comes with a free standby saver.

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nPower Juice

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This tariff enables you to source your gas and electricity from green energy without extra cost. It works by estimating the amount of electricity you use and matching it with electricity generated from renewable sources, which is fed into the electricity network.

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Scottish Power’s H2O & Green Energy Fund

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6.6% of Scottish Power’s energy is generated from wind farms. Its H2O tariff matches the amount of electricity you use with green hydro-power which is fed into the electricity grid. This comes at no additional cost to you, plus you could save £16.80 each year.

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EDF Energy Green & Climate Balance Tariffs

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EDF’s Green tariff invests in renewable energy sources and projects throughout the UK and is available on dual fuel and electricity only tariffs. Its Climate Balance tariff works by offsetting your home’s CO2 emissions, but does come at a premium price.

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Scottish & Southern Energy’s Eco Better Plan, RSPB Energy & Eco Online Tariffs

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Signing up to these green energy tariffs means Scottish & Southern Energy will match the amount of energy you use with green energy from renewable sources and feed it back into the national grid.

Its Eco Better Plan works by incentivizing customers to improve their energy efficiency with cash savings. The Eco RSPB tariff works by donating money on your behalf to this charity, and its Eco Online tariff promotes paperless billing and online account management.

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For further information about all the energy tariffs included in this review, contact the energy suppliers directly or visit comparison websites like Energychoices.co.uk

Sources:
http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/energy/our-products/future-energy.html
http://www.southern-electric.co.uk/GasAndElectricity/EcoEnergy/StandardOnline/
http://www.savetodaysavetomorrow.com
http://www.npower.com/web/savewithnpower/index.htm?t=0800%20975%209300
http://www.scottishpower.co.uk/Home_Energy/Product_Information/Green_Energy/
http://www.eonenergy.com/1010/?WT.mc_id=Reduce_your_energy_by_10%_in_2010&WT.svl=7

With the election looming, climate change is high on political agendas, but the winning party will be crucial in achieving the target according to the REA.

Gaynor Hartnell, the REA’s Chief Executive said, ‘If we’re serious about energy security and global warming, nothing needs to change more than our energy system. The new government, of whatever colour, must redouble efforts to deliver the 2020 renewable energy target.’

She added, ‘Meeting that target is essential for plugging the UK’s looming energy gap, reducing emissions and securing the jobs and economic opportunities of the future.’

Only 2.3% of the current energy produced in the UK comes from renewable energy sources like anaerobic digestion and biomass, so to achieve the 15% goal in a decade is ambitious. Nevertheless, the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive means the UK is committed to delivering it.

The REA has put together a manifesto detailing what the elected party must do in their opinion to achieve the 15% renewable energy target. It includes actions like the introduction of a renewable heat incentive by April 2011, a green investment bank and an institutional body responsible for delivering renewables.

Other requirements included in the recommendation were a need to drive forward good biofuels, effective incentives for renewable electricity and a stable framework for investment.

The REA indicated it had used research from McKinsey, the consultants, who found renewable energy sources to cost around the same as conventional ones.

News released by the Labour Party this week showed their commitment to the development of biofuels. It said, ‘We will press for the earliest possible introduction of rigorous EU sustainability standards for biofuels’.

Sources:
http://www.energyhelpline.com/news/article.aspx?aaid=19740946&y=2010&m=4&w=4&pid=1
http://www.mrw.co.uk/page.cfm/action=Archive/ArchiveID=26/EntryID=6549

It would seem these targets are now deemed too ambitious, because the Energy and Climate Change Committee has admitted this year’s target will be missed, and the 2016 one is looking ‘increasingly difficult to hit’.

Fuel poverty is when a household is spending over 10% of its income on its gas and electricity bills. A recent report commissioned by the Committee confirmed millions of households are in fuel poverty and are worried about turning their heating on. The situation has not been helped by the rising costs of energy bills, and the record breaking cold winter.

The report revealed around 2.8million households in England are in fuel poverty, and the majority of these are classed as vulnerable. It predicted rising energy prices could end up pushing a further 2.4million home into by 2016.

To prevent this from happening and get people out of fuel poverty, the Committee recommends the government introduce a fixed discount on gas and electricity for pensioners and people who are seriously ill.

It also called for more localized energy efficiency schemes, where people could learn about simple home improvements to save energy and money. They also suggested other measures like setting up a database of the energy efficiency ratings of homes, particularly those under the Warm Front scheme which provides financial assistance to vulnerable households.

The chairman of the Committee, Paddy Tipping said, ‘One of the reasons tackling fuel poverty is so difficult is that the government does not have a clear idea about who the fuel poor are.’

The government responded by saying since last winter the Warm Front scheme has helped many households out of fuel poverty and carried out 25,000 insulation or heating jobs.

David Kidney, the Energy and Climate Change minister said, ‘…we’ll be requiring energy companies to double their collective spend to £300m a year by 2013 on social price support, helping more of their most vulnerable customers with their energy bills.’

Some consumer groups and environmental campaigners believe this is not enough to tackle the issue. Andy Atkin from Friends of the Earth said, ‘The government must introduce a comprehensive nationwide energy efficiency programme that priorities those most at risk’.

Also speaking of the Committee’s recommendations was Jonathan Stearn of Consumer Focus who said the suggested fixed discounts should be extended. He said, ‘Such a simple measure would have a huge impact, covering nearly half of households living in fuel poverty and struggling to meet their bills.’

We recommend you read our guide, ‘Helpful ways to cope with energy debt’.

Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8594160.stm
http://www.homeheatingguide.co.uk/blog/energy-and-climate-change-committee-predicts-fuel-poverty-failure.html

The problem was made worse by the record breaking cold winter, where energy demand levels had risen dramatically. Those without adequate home insulation were left facing inflated heating bills because their homes were not conserving heat.

Home insulation will save you money on your energy bills. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you could save £150 a year by insulating your loft, and a further £115 with cavity wall insulation.

It costs around £500 to install, but will pay for itself quickly in with the amount you save on bills. Along with the government, environmental campaigners and consumer groups, many celebrities are also advocates of home insulation.

Celebrity tradesman Tommy Walsh says, ‘Insulation is a win-win situation because as well as saving you money and keeping you warm, it adds value to your house and improves the Home Information Pack’s home energy rating, potentially making your house easier to sell.’

For further information about home insulation, visit the energy advisory website energysavingtrust.org.uk, or contact your energy supplier.

Sources:
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Home-insulation-glazing
http://www.confused.com/news/household/energy/poor-insulation-wasted-500m–3960044788

Under the new scheme, households with solar panels fitted to a certain specification could earn up to £900 a year, and that’s without including the savings they make on their gas and electricity bills.

It also extends to those generating energy using wind turbines, households with anaerobic digestion and hydroelectricity systems.

A feed-in tariff works by paying households for the ‘green energy’ they produce, and for any they do not use which is sent to the national grid.

Talking about the scheme, Ed Miliband, the energy and climate change secretary said, ‘From today the rewards for businesses and householders who act to cut their carbon emissions really start to pay off.’

He added, ‘Householders can play a central role in leading the move to a low carbon economy whilst saving money on their energy bills.’

The scheme has been welcomed by some environmental campaigners, and a survey on behalf of Friends Of The Earth published earlier this year revealed 71% of homeowners would consider installing green energy systems if there was a large enough financial incentive.

This scheme is set to do just that, but does have its critics who believe it does not offer enough for larger communities. Dave Timms, Friends Of The Earth’s green homes campaigner said, ‘We need more support for whole communities, not just individual households.’

To find out more about feed-in tariff, visit the energy advisory website energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Sources:
http://www.energychoices.co.uk/partner-ns~guk-energychoices.co.uk/homes-can-now-earn-money-from-energy-bills104102.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8596348.stm

For those who want to make a difference, a variety of energy saving gadgets are available to use in the home. Designed to reduce or monitor the amount of energy you use, these will help you save money and do your bit for the planet. So here are our top five:

The Eco Kettle 2

Recommended by the Energy Saving Trust, this smart kettle will cut the cost of your tea break.

It has been cleverly designed to help save time, and uses on average 31% less energy than similar kettles to boil water. Built with a unique dual chamber, it holds 1.5 litres of water which is transferred to the heating chamber with a simple push of a button. So it only heats the amount of water you need. There is no waste, because any unused hot water is available the next time you need it.

The Eco Kettle 2 costs around £34-40, and is available in many leading supermarkets. It can also be bought online at places like ethicalsuperstore.com, or energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Plug In Electricity Saving Monitor

This device cleverly tells you which of your home appliances are the most power hungry. All you need to do is plug it in and read on the screen how energy efficient or not your appliance is. A real eye-opener for the energy conscious, because you may well discover your trusted fridge is costing you £1 a day to run, or keeping your television on standby is costing nearly the same amount as switching it on.

The Plug In Electricity Saving Monitor retails for around £12.99 online from places like ecohamster.co.uk.

The Standby Buster

Recommended by the Energy Saving Trust, this is a remote controlled electrical socket enabling you to switch off appliances completely instead of leaving them on standby to waste electricity.

Incredibly simple to use, it requires no installation because all you need to do is plug it into an existing socket to activate the remote control. It has been designed to take the hassle away from unplugging all your appliances when they are not in use. It has two parts; the electrical socket/plug and a remote control. Use the remote to switch it on and off.

The Standby Buster costs around £21-25 and is available from many retailers, or buy online from energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Radiator Reflector Foil

This simple yet effective device will prevent heat being absorbed into the walls from your radiators. Good to know, since an estimated 70% of radiator heat is lost by heating the wall behind it. The foil works by reflecting the heat back into the room, improving heat circulation and warming the room up faster. A great way to save energy and money.

There is no need to remove your radiator, or fiddle with tape or glue, because the foil is installed easily at the back of your radiators using a self-adhesive magnetic tape.

Radiator Reflector Foil costs from £14.99, and can be found in most DIY stores or online.

The Water Pebble

Winner of the UK’s Future Friendly Award 2008, this innovative device will transform the way you shower forever! It has been designed to reduce the amount of water you use, by telling you exactly how much you are using, and when you are using too much.

It does this by recording the flow of water going down the plughole the first time you take a shower with it. The next time you take a show, it will flash if you are taking longer than the first time, so you know your time is up. It also gradually reduces the amount of time you have before it starts to flash, encouraging you to take a quicker shower and save water, energy and money.

It requires no installation, and simply sits anywhere it can monitor the flow of water, like by the shower plughole.

The Water Pebble costs around £5, and is available to buy online.

Sources:
http://www.alternativeenergystore.co.uk/item/item/701003/10/0/Standby-Buster-(3-Pack).htm
http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/category/electronics-and-appliances/standby-solutions/
http://www.ecoutlet.co.uk/ecosavers
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/About-Energy-Saving-Recommended-products

Cash payments are available from this April to homeowners who install renewable energy technologies like solar panels, wind turbines or produce energy from waste, and sell the electricity they generate back to the National Grid.

The scheme makes low carbon living a more attractive proposition for households, who can now earn money from it to help pay towards getting it installed. Green households are also guaranteed a competitive price for their electricity by the governments new ‘feed-in tariffs’ policy. The price will also adjust in line with inflation.

Ed Miliband, the climate change minister said ‘The guarantee of getting an income, on top of saving on energy bills, will be an incentive to householders and communities wanting to make the move to low carbon living.’

According to statistics released this week, those who install solar panels are likely to save the most under the new scheme. For instance, if you own an average 3-bedroomed house, you could earn around £25,000 over a 25 year period.

The payments under the scheme are tax-free, and could earn an annual return of up to 9% for some households. Miliband said he expects one in ten homes to be generating their own electricity before the decade is out, which means millions could benefit from it.

Critics of the scheme believe it will end up as another ‘green tax’ from energy suppliers, who will want to recover costs from all their customers; increasing average household bills by around £11 by 2020.

The chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, Matthew Elliott, warned it was ‘…yet another green tax on energy which will punish ordinary families when they can least afford it’.

Environmental groups like Greenpeace have also criticized the scheme for not providing enough of a financial incentive to attract the masses into going green.

Miliband defended the scheme by saying it would transform the way households view the future of their energy needs. He said, ‘The feed-in tariff will change the way householders and communities think about their future energy needs, making the payback for investment far shorter than in the past.’

He added, it would increase the number of solar paneled homes from 10,000 to 700,000 by 2020.

To find out more about the scheme and how to generate your own energy, visit the energy advisory website energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Sources:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/02/02/homeowners-who-go-green-will-get-cash-payments-115875-22012392/

http://www.energychoices.co.uk/partner-40451/earn-cash-rewards-for-generating-electricity-01022010.html

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy