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| Insulation 'a simple way to save energy' |
Insulation
19/08/2008 11:58:04 |
Loft insulation has been described by an expert as 'one of the simplest ways' for homeowners to save energy.
Steve Hunter, the north-east regional manager for the Energy Saving Trust, said that the use of around 10 inches of the material in the top of a building could save consumers up to 15 per cent on heating costs.
Writing in an article for the Journal newspaper, he explained that as a third of heat in homes is lost through walls, people should also consider cavity wall insulation.
'Cavity wall insulation will also keep you cool in the summer and warm in winter. It's straightforward, inexpensive and hassle-free,' he added.
Recent research by uSwitch.com found that a growing number of people are interested in becoming greener due to the rising cost of energy, with some also showing interest in energy efficiency measures such as insulation.
It was also revealed that a third of households found it difficult to pay their bills before recent price increases.
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| Over half of households 'to become more energy efficient' |
Insulation
15/08/2008 11:42:11 |
Over half of UK households are planning to become more energy efficient in the near future, according to new research.
The study by uSwitch.com has stated that many people are planning to become greener due to the rising cost of energy, which suggests there may be growing interest in measures such as insulation.
It was also revealed that a third of households found it difficult to pay their energy bills before recent price rises, while single income families are particularly struggling with the increases.
Discussing the findings, uSwitch.com's consumer policy director Ann Robinson said: 'With energy bills continuing to burn a hole in households' dwindling pockets, consumers need to take steps to minimise their energy usage and reduce the amount they pay.
'Sourcing the cheapest provider is one means of holding on to the pennies but adopting more energy efficient measures will also help.'
Charles Hendry, the shadow energy minister, recently claimed in the Yorkshire Post that only 40 per cent of homes in the UK are 'properly insulated'.
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| Only 40% of homes 'properly insulated' |
Insulation
13/08/2008 12:48:01 |
Only 40 per cent of homes in the UK are 'properly insulated', according to the shadow energy minister.
Charles Hendry stated that because of this, many households are being affected by rising energy bills as heat escapes through the walls or roof of their properties.
Writing in the Yorkshire Post, he also claimed that Gordon Brown has done nothing to help the situation and in many ways has made it worse by cutting funds to a scheme designed to aid those in fuel poverty.
He wrote: 'The reality is that Britain is being hit harder than necessary because the government has not taken the necessary steps to reduce the impact of rising prices.
'The best way to escape higher prices is to consume less energy, and the best way to consume less is to have better energy-efficient homes.'
Brian Rickerby, joint managing director of consultancy EnergyTeam, recently stated that insulation can provide businesses with big returns.
Talking to BusinessGreen.com, he added that the material can provide major savings within a three-year period.
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| Insulation 'can deliver big returns for businesses' |
Insulation
08/08/2008 12:30:21 |
Insulation can deliver big returns for businesses looking to install energy-saving measures, according to an expert.
Brian Rickerby, joint managing director at consultancy EnergyTeam, said that the material can provide major savings within a three year period.
He made the comment to BusinessGreen after research revealed that 81 per cent of companies in the UK want a return on their investment when deciding to use renewable technologies.
It was also found that only five per cent would invest in items with a five-year payback period.
Discussing the findings with the website, Mr Rickerby said many firms were not interested in products that would take a while to provide any returns.
'Many energy-saving technologies such as new lighting or insulation can deliver big returns within three years, but the larger projects such as combined heat and power, smart building management systems and solar panels often require longer pay-back periods,' he added.
The National Insulation Association recently urged people to use fully trained and professional installers when having the material added to their homes.
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| Recycled tyre insulation launched |
Insulation
04/08/2008 12:34:46 |
A new insulation material which has been produced using recycled car tyres has been launched.
Rubbercrete, which is an insulating wall plaster composite, has been designed by a Teesside-based company Wall Transform and was recently accredited by the British Board of Agrement.
The Evening Gazette reports that the product, which is created by grinding tyres and removing steel, can significantly improve a wall's noise and heat insulation.
Discussing the material with the newspaper, the company's managing director Glenn Melvin said: 'We knew that from June last year rubber could no longer go to landfill. Globally, tyre waste is a huge issue.
'We are using recycled materials, saving energy and the product itself is very efficient at heat-saving.'
Homeowners were recently urged by an industry body to also contact fully trained insulation installers when having the material added to their homes.
Neil Marshall, chief executive of the National Insulation Association, said that people should 'never' underestimate using well-qualified professionals during the installation process.
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| Insulation to be used on new environmental centre |
Insulation
11/07/2008 12:36:35 |
Insulation is set to be installed on a new environmental centre that is being created in Suffolk, according to reports.
Residents of Sproughton, which is near Ipswich, have been given funding from the East of England Development Agency's (EEDA's) Cut Your Carbon scheme to use the material in the refurbishment of a historic barn in the area.
According to the East Anglian Daily Times, the completed building will be used as both an environmental resource facility and a 'green' venue.
Speaking to the newspaper, EEDA chair Richard Ellis said: 'The Cut Your Carbon judging day was really inspiring for all the judges and it is great to see that so many people are coming together around this issue and taking effective action.'
The National Home Improvement Council recently launched a new award to recognise organisations that have actively encouraged the use of insulation across the UK.
Housing News reports that the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency is sponsoring the Innovative Insulation Award.
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| Welsh people reveal insulation hopes |
Insulation
10/07/2008 12:35:29 |
New research has revealed that Welsh people are pinning their hopes on insulation as a way to help them improve their green credentials.
According to a study by the Energy Saving Trust, over 70 per cent of those living in the country would like a home which features a level of insulation that means they only need to heat a property for a few days a year.
News Wales reports that the survey's respondents would like the chance to buy such a house by 2020, while it was also claimed the government may introduce a task force that ensures people are embracing energy efficiency.
Talking to the website, the head of the Energy Saving Trust's Welsh arm, Helen Northmore, said the use of such measures does not need to happen.
She added: 'The carbon emissions we all produce from our homes and travel amount to over 40 per cent (43 per cent) of the UK’s total emissions so we all have a part to play.'
Housing News recently reported that the National Home Improvement Council launched an award designed to recognise those who encourage the use of insulation.
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| Insulation award launched |
Insulation
03/07/2008 14:14:44 |
A new award has been launched to recognise those who are actively encouraging the use of insulation in homes across the UK.
The National Home Improvement Council's (NHIC's) Innovative Insulation Award, which is sponsored by the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency, is for schemes that have effectively promoted the material.
Housing News reports that eligible organisations are being urged to contact the NHIC before August 22nd to have a chance of winning the accolade.
Speaking to the website, Neil Marshall, the chief executive of the National Insulation Association, said: 'There are many people working all around the country to explain the benefits to householders and in so doing have increased the demand for effective home insulation.
'Through this award we hope to recognise the most innovative of these schemes as a message of encouragement to all involved.'
A recent report by the National Audit Office revealed concerns that energy suppliers offering insulation may not be able to meet the rate of installation needed to improve energy efficiency in the UK.
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| Report reveals insulation concerns |
Insulation
02/07/2008 12:45:39 |
A new report on improving the energy efficiency of households has revealed concerns about insulation.
The National Audit Office's (NAO) study has claimed that while efforts to encourage energy suppliers to provide insulation to their customers have worked, there are worries they will not be able to meet the rate of installation needed.
It was also found that while energy efficiency grew in the UK between 1990 and 2004, rising gas and electricity consumption may have offset its effect.
However, the report went on to claim that consumption is thought to have fallen in recent years.
Tim Burr, head of the NAO, said: 'There are encouraging signs that the long-term growth in household energy consumption is reversing.'
He added that if targets over energy efficiency are to be met, the government needs 'to improve their understanding of how programmes are working in real homes, and how householders are responding to them'.
The National Insulation Association recently stated that the material is 'more cost effective than ever'.
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| Insulation 'more cost effective than ever' |
Insulation
27/06/2008 11:33:17 |
Insulation has been described as 'more cost effective than ever', by a major industry body.
The National Insulation Association (NIA) has stated that the introduction of the material into cavity walls and lofts can reduce energy costs by around £275 a year, while grants have made it increasingly affordable.
Neil Marshall, the body's chief executive, added that insulation can be particularly beneficial to older people.
'It's really worrying that many of the elderly and those on low incomes could resort to not heating their homes this winter for fear that they won't be able to pay their bills,' he explained.
'But there is a way they can bring these bills down without compromising their quality of life – and that's by insulating their homes.'
The managing director of Dyson Insulations, Tony Hardiman, recently told the Yorkshire Evening Post that the material can 'dramatically reduce heat loss' in properties.
He added that such an issue can impact on a household's energy bills and consumption.
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