Energy Prices, Energy Tips

Boilers are vital to any home: they keep rooms warm, water hot and inhabitants happy.

But not all boilers are born equal. By switching to a new, high efficiency condensing boiler, you could cut your carbon footprint by nearly two tonnes and save as much as £275 a year* on utilities bills.

With our guide to the perfect boiler, your home will be warm, and your wallet full, in no time!

What’s your boiler type?

A boiler’s lifespan is usually 15 years, with some far more energy-efficient than others.

Find out how old and energy-efficient yours is by logging onto www.boilers.org.uk and typing in the boiler’s name and model number.

You can also determine what kind of boiler you have by looking at the flue (the pipe that carries the boiler’s exhaust outside the house) and what comes out of it:

• If the flue is made of plastic and releases steam when the boiler is on, you probably have a condensing boiler.

• If the flue is made out of metal and you can’t see any steam, your boiler is probably of the non-condensing variety.

Condensing boilers

Condensing boilers are the golden egg of modern home-heating systems. They’re easy to fit and tend to be highly efficient, with A-rated condensing boilers racking at least 90% efficiency ratings, compared to older boilers, which can convert just 60% of their fuel into heat*.

Because A-rated condensing boilers use a third less fuel than older boilers, they cut your heating bills and CO2 emissions by a third* - great for your savings and the planet!

And that’s why, by law, all new central heating boilers fitted in the UK must now be condensing boilers.

The 3 types of condensing boilers

Condensing boilers work for both oil and gas-heated homes and come in three varieties: regular, system and combination (combi).

1. Regular condensing boilers heat hot water and then store it in a hot water cylinder. They’re best suited for homes with family-sized central heating systems.

2. System condensing boilers are for similar-sized homes, but their heating and hot water components are already built in. Installation is quicker and easier.

3. Combination (combi) boilers combine instant hot water heating with central heating in one boiler, taking water directly from the mains. There’s no need for a hot water cylinder and by only heating up as much hot water as you need, you’ll save on costs. They suit small homes with good mains pressure.

The best boiler for you

The type and size of your new boiler will depend on many factors such as the size of your home, how well insulated it is, and the kind of fuel you use. If you’re unsure which to go for, ask a qualified installer, such as a CORGI or Competent Persons Scheme technician.

Under control

Most of us waste oodles of energy keeping our homes too hot. Correct heating controls could save up to 17% of your heating bill on your existing boiler, or up to 40% if you buy a new one*.

Keep your room thermostats set to between 18°C and 21°C and your hot water cylinder thermostat to 60°C (140F). And by lowering your room thermostats by just 1°C you could save yourself £40 a year*!

Top tip: Make sure your boiler’s working properly. Get it serviced every year to ensure it heats your home the way it should.

* All statistics are taken from the Energy Saving Trust.

nPower’s recent energy rate cut – 7.5% for electricity customers – means that all the major UK suppliers have dropped their prices since the start of 2009. So if you’re with nPower, British Gas, EDF, E.ON, ScottishPower, or Scottish & Southern then your bills could be about to drop – but only if you’re on the right tariff.

Finding a cheaper tariff is easy these days with the energy comparison sites. Enter a few details into simple online forms and you’ll see all your local energy options appear onscreen within seconds. And if like most energy customers you haven’t switched in a while, there’s a very good chance you can slash your energy bills by even more than the announced cuts.

For many, the chance to save up to £252* on their gas and electricity bill is all the reason they need to switch energy provider, but just in case one reason’s not enough, here are…

…The Big 6 Reasons to Switch Right Now

1. Save up to £252*
nPower, British Gas, EDF, E.ON, ScottishPower and Scottish & Southern have announced rate cuts, but some have cut more than others. Therefore, even if you're with one of these providers you could save even more by switching.

2. Lower your standards
If you're on a standard tariff then you're almost certainly paying too much. Don't believe us? Then compare energy prices right now to see what you could be paying.

3. Get online!
You could further increase savings by signing up to an online tariff. Posting bills and waiting for cheques to clear costs energy providers time and money, and they're willing to offer discounts if you agree to paperless billing and paying by direct debit.

4. Colder weather = more savings
Summer is still a way off, and as people use more energy during the colder months, switching to a cheaper tariff now means you'll save even more.

5. FREE smart meter
If you switch to a First:Utility tariff, they’ll install a smart meter for free. Ofgem want to have a smart meter in every household by 2020, so here’s your chance to beat the deadline by a dozen years. Plus, monitoring your energy consumption more closely means you could save as much as 15%** off future bills.

So now you’ve read our big six reasons to switch energy supplier, you’ll probably want to get straight to it, in which case, just follow the link below to see how much you could save.

*Customers who switched gas and electricity (dual fuel) between 1st January 2008 and 31st

December 2008 saved on average £252.37.
**Estimate by statutory body Consumer Focus.

Understanding and harnessing the power of nature in your own home

If you want to go green and save money on your electricity bill, why not start generating power yourself. With this simple guide can we show you how to become a green energy generator as well as a consumer.

What is renewable energy?

Renewable power harnesses inexhaustible natural resources – such as energy from the sun, wind, core heat and water – instead of exhaustible ‘conventional energy’ resources such as coal, oil and natural gas.

For several years consumers have been able to buy green energy from the power companies, but these days it’s possible to start generating the green stuff yourself – and you could even receive help with the costs.

So with a little investment and a little know-how, you could turn your fossil fuel-dependent home into a green-energy palace.

SOLAR POWER

Solar power uses the energy of the sun to create electricity or to heat water for your home.

How do solar panels work?

The sun’s energy is trapped by solar panels that use special photoelectric cells to convert light energy into electricity.

Solar panels don’t need strong sunlight to function, just regular daylight will do. However, long hours of strong sunlight will obviously generate more power than a grey winter’s day.

The beauty of solar panels is that the power they generate can be used straight away or linked back into the power grid – so if you happen to produce more than you need, you can sell it back to an energy provider.

What’s involved?

Solar panels can be installed on roofs and conservatories – basically anywhere that can hold some weight and attract light. They can range from grey solar tiles (that resemble roof tiles) to transparent cells that can be fitted on conservatories.

What’s the cost?

The cost you pay depends on whether you opt for solar tiles or panels. Solar tiles have a higher price tag than conventional panels, but you can expect to pay around £5,000 to £8,000 per kilowatt (kW) yield, with most homes requiring 1.5 to 3kW.

WIND TURBINES

Today’s modern wind turbines can be found on rooftops or as part of large windfarms around the world.

The world’s biggest proposed windfarm, the London Array, is set for development just 20 km off the coast of Kent and Essex. It will consist of 341 turbines and create 1,000 megawatts of energy – enough to power one-third of London homes and save millions of tonnes of CO2 every year when it opens in 2010.

How do wind turbines work?

When wind moves the blades of a wind turbine, an internal rotor spins, and electricity is generated. The faster the blades turn the more electricity is produced, which is why wind turbines are best located on a mast or tower, ideally on a hill with clear exposure to the wind.

What’s involved?

Wind turbines are suited to homes with an annual average wind speed of 6 metres per second or more, and where there is no obstruction from nearby buildings, trees or hills to block the wind.

What’s the cost?

Depending on whether you install it on a mast or a roof, you can expect to pay anything between £1,500 to £20,000 for a turbine, mast, inverters, battery storage (if required) and installation – depending on the size and system.

However, the turbine should last over 20 years, requiring checks every so often and battery changes every six to 10 years.

Any surplus electricity produced by the turbine can be sold to an electricity company and fed into the national grid.

Is there funding available?

Domestic renewable energy isn’t cheap, and returns aren’t necessarily that fast, but you can apply for Government funding to help pay your way to a greener home.

To qualify for a grant, you’ll first need to get planning approval from the council. Your home must also be have at least 270mm of loft installation (or cavity wall insulation), low-energy light bulbs throughout, and basic controls for your heating system including room thermostat and programmer or timer.

The amount of funding varies on technology, with up to £2,500 for any one property available for up to three different green technologies. All you have to do is contact the Low Carbon Buildings Programme to apply for an online grant or contact the Energy Saving Trust to find out more.

There are also other ways to apply for funding. One is through Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs), or other green energy certificates, which entitle you to money for generating energy. Your local council or Regional Development Agency may also have monies you can access.

Failing that, some banks offer green loans to help you make eco-friendly changes to your home, such as installing microgeneration projects.

How to pinch pennies on your gas and electricity when the office is the room next door

There’s nothing like rolling straight out of bed and into the office. And when ‘the office’ is actually just a bedroom away, it’s easy to get to work in your favourite dressing gown with a cup of tea in hand.

While working from home has its obvious advantages, there are disadvantages too: any house that doubles as an office can end up costing you more than you bargained for. That’s if you want to stay warm anyway!

So how can you save on your gas and electricity bills while working from home?

1. Get a tax break

If you regularly work from home, you’re entitled to tax breaks that can help you recoup some of the costs incurred by having your home double as an office.

A guideline rate, set up by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), allows employees a £3 per week payment for gas and electricity costs.

This rate is only a guideline and doesn’t require you to keep tabs on additional expenditure. If your costs are more than £3 a week, you’re entitled to ask for more. For more info, take a look at the HMRC website.

2. Change your energy provider

You could save up to £252* just by changing your gas and electricity provider, so it’s worth taking a look at what suppliers are in your area. Remember, some of the best deals can be found over the internet, so compare gas and electricity online.

3. Look into Economy 7

Economy 7 is an electricity tariff that uses cheaper overnight electricity to heat your boiler and charge up storage heaters. They are then used to heat your home and provide hot running water during the day when energy is more expensive.

All UK energy companies have off-peak hours during which time their electricity is cheaper to use. The exact hours vary but an Economy 7 tariff will run for a seven-hour period (hence the name) sometime between midnight and 8.00am.

Economy 7 is a savings solution for people that are home during the day (home workers, pensioners etc.), and who therefore need daytime hot water and heating. The main drawback is that the stored energy will slowly run out as the day rolls on, and could all be gone before nightfall. If this happens, you’ll have to tap into expensive, peak time energy if you want your heat/hot water back – until the Economy 7 hours kick in again.

4. Turn your thermos down

Try not to heat up the house like it’s Bermuda. The Energy Saving Trust’s website reports that turning your thermostat down by just 1° C could save you 10% on your heating bills. If this leaves you cold, try putting a jumper on – a much cheaper option.

5. Follow the light

The beauty of a laptop is that you can move it around where the light is – sunlight, that is! Following the sun’s movements throughout your house will keep your household lighting bills down and give you a bit of exercise. That way you’ll help your savings and earn those chocolate biscuits with your cuppa!

For more tips on cutting the cost of your gas and electricity, read our guide, reduce energy use and fuel bills.

*Customers who switched gas and electricity (dual fuel) with Confused.com between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2008 saved on average £252.37.

Boilers are vital to any home: they keep rooms warm, water hot and inhabitants happy.

But not all boilers are born equal. By switching to a new, high efficiency condensing boiler, you could cut your carbon footprint by nearly two tonnes and save as much as £275 a year* on utilities bills.

With Confused.com’s guide to the perfect boiler, your home will be warm, and your wallet full, in no time!

What’s your boiler type?

A boiler’s lifespan is usually 15 years, with some far more energy-efficient than others.

Find out how old and energy-efficient yours is by logging onto www.boilers.org.uk and typing in the boiler’s name and model number.

You can also determine what kind of boiler you have by looking at the flue (the pipe that carries the boiler’s exhaust outside the house) and what comes out of it:

• If the flue is made of plastic and releases steam when the boiler is on, you probably have a condensing boiler.

• If the flue is made out of metal and you can’t see any steam, your boiler is probably of the non-condensing variety.

Condensing boilers

Condensing boilers are the golden egg of modern home-heating systems. They’re easy to fit and tend to be highly efficient, with A-rated condensing boilers racking at least 90% efficiency ratings, compared to older boilers, which can convert just 60% of their fuel into heat*.

Because A-rated condensing boilers use a third less fuel than older boilers, they cut your heating bills and CO2 emissions by a third* - great for your savings and the planet!

And that’s why, by law, all new central heating boilers fitted in the UK must now be condensing boilers.

The 3 types of condensing boilers

Condensing boilers work for both oil and gas-heated homes and come in three varieties: regular, system and combination (combi).

1. Regular condensing boilers heat hot water and then store it in a hot water cylinder. They’re best suited for homes with family-sized central heating systems.

2. System condensing boilers are for similar-sized homes, but their heating and hot water components are already built in. Installation is quicker and easier.

3. Combination (combi) boilers combine instant hot water heating with central heating in one boiler, taking water directly from the mains. There’s no need for a hot water cylinder and by only heating up as much hot water as you need, you’ll save on costs. They suit small homes with good mains pressure.

The best boiler for you

The type and size of your new boiler will depend on many factors such as the size of your home, how well insulated it is, and the kind of fuel you use. If you’re unsure which to go for, ask a qualified installer, such as a CORGI or Competent Persons Scheme technician.

Under control

Most of us waste oodles of energy keeping our homes too hot. Correct heating controls could save up to 17% of your heating bill on your existing boiler, or up to 40% if you buy a new one*.

Keep your room thermostats set to between 18°C and 21°C and your hot water cylinder thermostat to 60°C (140F). And by lowering your room thermostats by just 1°C you could save yourself £40 a year*!

Top tip: Make sure your boiler’s working properly. Get it serviced every year to ensure it heats your home the way it should.

To save even more money, compare gas and electricity deals with Confused.com.

* All statistics are taken from the Energy Saving Trust.

Understanding and harnessing the power of nature in your own home

If you want to go green and save money on your electricity bill, why not start generating power yourself. Confused.com’s simple guide can show you how to become a green energy generator as well as a consumer.

What is renewable energy?

Renewable power harnesses inexhaustible natural resources – such as energy from the sun, wind, core heat and water – instead of exhaustible ‘conventional energy’ resources such as coal, oil and natural gas.

For several years consumers have been able to buy green energy from the power companies, but these days it’s possible to start generating the green stuff yourself – and you could even receive help with the costs.

So with a little investment and a little know-how, you could turn your fossil fuel-dependent home into a green-energy palace.

SOLAR POWER

Solar power uses the energy of the sun to create electricity or to heat water for your home.

How do solar panels work?

The sun’s energy is trapped by solar panels that use special photoelectric cells to convert light energy into electricity.

Solar panels don’t need strong sunlight to function, just regular daylight will do. However, long hours of strong sunlight will obviously generate more power than a grey winter’s day.

The beauty of solar panels is that the power they generate can be used straight away or linked back into the power grid – so if you happen to produce more than you need, you can sell it back to an energy provider.

What’s involved?

Solar panels can be installed on roofs and conservatories – basically anywhere that can hold some weight and attract light. They can range from grey solar tiles (that resemble roof tiles) to transparent cells that can be fitted on conservatories.

What’s the cost?

The cost you pay depends on whether you opt for solar tiles or panels. Solar tiles have a higher price tag than conventional panels, but you can expect to pay around £5,000 to £8,000 per kilowatt (kW) yield, with most homes requiring 1.5 to 3kW.

WIND TURBINES

Today’s modern wind turbines can be found on rooftops or as part of large windfarms around the world.

The world’s biggest proposed windfarm, the London Array, is set for development just 20 km off the coast of Kent and Essex. It will consist of 341 turbines and create 1,000 megawatts of energy – enough to power one-third of London homes and save millions of tonnes of CO2 every year when it opens in 2010.

How do wind turbines work?

When wind moves the blades of a wind turbine, an internal rotor spins, and electricity is generated. The faster the blades turn the more electricity is produced, which is why wind turbines are best located on a mast or tower, ideally on a hill with clear exposure to the wind.

What’s involved?

Wind turbines are suited to homes with an annual average wind speed of 6 metres per second or more, and where there is no obstruction from nearby buildings, trees or hills to block the wind.

What’s the cost?

Depending on whether you install it on a mast or a roof, you can expect to pay anything between £1,500 to £20,000 for a turbine, mast, inverters, battery storage (if required) and installation – depending on the size and system.

However, the turbine should last over 20 years, requiring checks every so often and battery changes every six to 10 years.

Any surplus electricity produced by the turbine can be sold to an electricity company and fed into the national grid.

Is there funding available?

Domestic renewable energy isn’t cheap, and returns aren’t necessarily that fast, but you can apply for Government funding to help pay your way to a greener home.

To qualify for a grant, you’ll first need to get planning approval from the council. Your home must also be have at least 270mm of loft installation (or cavity wall insulation), low-energy light bulbs throughout, and basic controls for your heating system including room thermostat and programmer or timer.

The amount of funding varies on technology, with up to £2,500 for any one property available for up to three different green technologies. All you have to do is contact the Low Carbon Buildings Programme to apply for an online grant or contact the Energy Saving Trust to find out more.

There are also other ways to apply for funding. One is through Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs), or other green energy certificates, which entitle you to money for generating energy. Your local council or Regional Development Agency may also have monies you can access.

Failing that, some banks offer green loans to help you make eco-friendly changes to your home, such as installing microgeneration projects.

Holidaymakers traditionally leave their cares at home and a survey in November 2007 suggests that this now includes care for the environment. The recent survey by Luxique, a leading boutique hotels and luxury hotels booking website, found that while many people think hotels should do more to protect the environment, only a tiny percentage actively seek out a green hotel.

Nearly 1,200 travelers were asked the question how could hotels do more to reduce their carbon footprint and the most popular were:

• Make better use of solar power (41%)
• Waste less food (32%)
• Stop giving away free shampoo and shower gel (14%)
• Turn the heating/air conditioning down (7%)
  

Of the big up-scale hotels, the Hilton and Marriott groups scored highest in the green stakes. But even if a chain of hotels were to base its reputation on an environmentally friendly policy, 84% of people asked said they would not be willing to pay a fee to join the club.


Green Hotels are environmentally-friendly properties whose managers are eager to institute programs that save water, save energy and reduce solid waste whilst saving money and help protect our planet. But there are also little things that we, the consumer can do to save our planet. Read on to find out more.


Things you can do
Many of the things you can do to be greener on holiday will be the same things you can do at home, but there are also some extra things like avoiding gifts made from endangered species. Here are some suggestions:

• Making the most of locally produced food and drink, and local activities and attractions will support people in the area you are visiting and reduce the need for further environmental impact from transport
• Switching off any air conditioning, heating and lights when you’re not using your accommodation will help reduce climate change effects
• Try not to waste water – some countries suffer from water shortages and saving water can help avoid damage to natural habitats. Find out more by reading about Water Saving Tips
  

Helping Endangered Species
Some gifts and foods available in some countries can be made from endangered plants or animals, for example, animal skins, ivory, orchids, caviar, or coral.

It may be hard to tell the difference between permitted and non-permitted goods, or to find out when you buy something whether it came from an endangered source. For example it is difficult to know if turtle shell has come from an environmentally harmless source.

Check before you buy, but if in doubt avoid animal and plant gifts. Find more details of products to avoid and illegal trade hotspots by visiting Souvenir Alert or CITIES websites.


Make a positive contribution to the place you're visiting
There are ways in which your holiday can help support local people and the environment:

• Some organisations and companies offer holidays which aim to minimise impacts on the environment - they can help find accommodation with low energy needs and activities that benefit local communities.
  
  
• There are many opportunities to volunteer and help with projects that conserve and improve habitats and nature reserves.
  
  
• When you are away, or if you are looking for somewhere to visit in the UK, you can support projects or attractions which protect wildlife, such as nature reserves and conservation projects.
  

The wider issue

While we would like to think that Mother Nature has finally gotten to the travel industry, I personally cannot help but be cynical about their collective environmental epiphany. Do hotels really care about the planet or about attracting more eco-friendly consumers who, it just so happens, tend to be more upscale and affluent? And as for the little card they leave by the bed suggesting you reuse your towels and forego clean sheets?

I’m sure the fact that they stand to save millions each year on laundry suds by not having to do all that washing anymore has nothing to do with it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for trying to protect and preserve our natural resources. I think it’s great that hotels are encouraging their guests to be a little less self-indulgent and more planet-aware. I’m just not buying their motivation behind it.

In the end, I suppose the fact that hotels are pushing more environmentally benign practices is more important than why they are doing it. So, with that in mind, let me offer a few additional suggestions to facilitate the greening of the travel industry:

1. If we are really concerned about our own personal carbon footprints then tour/holiday operators perhaps could gives travelers the chance to pay for their own flight emissions.
   
   
2. Eliminate hotels obscene Internet access charges for guests who agree to receive an electronic copy of their bill instead of a long paper printout. Entire forests will be saved!
   
   
3. Hotels could rig their plumbing and lighting so that guests must listen to pre-recorded environmental messages from Al Gore before opening a faucet, flushing the toilet, or turning on a lamp.
   
   
4. Replace the tiny liquor and wine bottles in the mini-bars with full-size ones to lessen the burden of all those little plastic containers on community recycling efforts. Of course, the hotel should absorb the cost of the bigger bottles as their way of “paying” the world back for its plastic footprint.
   
   
5. Hotels should stop offering pay-for-view movies. This only encourages guests to watch television, which in turn causes more electricity consumption.
   
   
6. Permanently set all televisions in hotels to the Discovery Channel and allow guests free viewings of An In Convenient Truth
   
   
7. Tell USA Today (or any other newspaper) that you (the hotel) are no longer willing to accept free bulk deliveries of the newspaper and stop selling newspapers and magazines in your gift shops. If guests are in need of news, they can get it on the Internet thanks to your free online access. More forests will be saved!
   
   
8. Encourage hotel guests to take home bathrobes free of charge. Otherwise hotels will have to wash them repeatedly, thereby undermining their water saving efforts.
   
   
9. Hotels should offer special discounts to guests who agree to take showers together. This, too, will aid their water conservation efforts.
   
   
10. Install solar power which is renewable, profitable, clean, and provides low maintenance electricity
    

Who knows? Maybe one day we will witness the spectacle of Paris Hilton accepting a Nobel Prize on behalf of the hotel chain whose name she bears.



Useful Links

Ecoescape
A directory of green places to stay and visit in the UK.
http://www.ecoescape.org


Natural Discovery
A website that promotes a range of places to stay in the UK that are committed to environmental improvement.
http://www.naturaldiscovery.co.uk


Organic Places to Stay
A directory of places to stay in the UK where at least 50% of the meals are organic.
http://www.organicholidays.co.uk


Sustrans
The UK’s leading sustainable transport charity whose vision is “a world in which people can choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment.” It co-ordinates the National Cycle Network, which provides over 8,000 miles of signed cycle routes in the UK.
http://www.sustrans.org.uk


Traveline
The UK’s national portal for bus, coach and train information.
http://www.traveline.org.uk


Seat61.com
The best place on the net for finding information about travelling by train to the continent.
http://www.seat61.com

Waterscape
For attractions and places to go along Britain's 4,000 miles of canals, rivers and lakes.
http://www.waterscape.com

Green Tourism Business Scheme
The UK’s leading certification scheme that rates tourism-related businesses, such as hotels, travel companies and conference venues, on their green credentials.
http://www.green-business.co.uk

National Parks
Government website that provides details on the UK’s 14 national parks and links to each park’s National Park Authority.
http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk

The Travel Foundation
A UK-based charity set up to manage tourism more sustainably. It is supported by leading tour operators, such as First Choice, Sunvil and Keycamp.
http://www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk

Blue Flag
An exclusive eco-label that identifies environmentally sound beaches and marinas. This year, more than 3,200 beaches and marinas in 37 countries were awarded the Blue Flag. It is run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education.
http://www.blueflag.org

Green Traveller
For tips on how to have a greener holiday.
http://www.greentraveller.co.uk