An energy saving bulb has gone - evacuate the room now!

Energy-saving light bulbs are so dangerous that everyone must leave the room for at least 15 minutes if one falls to the floor and breaks, a Government department warned yesterday.

The startling alert came as health experts also warned that toxic mercury inside the bulbs can aggravate a range of problems including migraines and dizziness.

And a leading dermatologist said tens of thousands of people with skin complaints will find it hard to tolerate being near the bulbs as they cause conditions such as eczema to flare up.

The Department for Environment warned shards of glass from broken bulbs should not be vacuumed up but instead swept away by someone wearing rubber gloves to protect them from the bulb's mercury content.

In addition, it said care should be taken not to inhale any dust and the broken pieces should be put in a sealed plastic bag for disposal at a council dump – not a normal household bin.
By MARTIN DELGADO
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Q&A: Switching energy suppliers

Energy firm Npower has announced double-digit rises in the price its domestic customers will have to pay for gas and electricity - with industry observers saying that other companies are likely to follow suit.
So is now the time to reconsider who provides your energy?



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I am an Npower customer. Should I look to change providers?

Not necessarily. Before the price rises, Npower was seen as one of the cheaper providers.

The independent watchdog Energywatch has said that, given other firms are likely to also raise their prices, it may be worth waiting to see what Npower's competitors do.

If you switch to a cheaper supplier today, you may well find that they too put up their prices, as all of the companies have to buy gas in exactly the same international market.

So switching is a waste of time then?

Not quite. The argument goes that savings can still be made, especially if you have never switched before and are still with either British Gas or the company that took over from your regional electricity board.

In those cases, you are likely to be on their highest tariff.

So you may still be able to achieve a significant relative cut in your bills.

How common is energy switching?

The full figures for 2007 are not yet available, but in 2006 about 4 million households changed their gas or electricity supplier, according to the energy regulator Ofgem.

In April 2006, when wholesale energy prices were last at very high levels, and price increases were starting to bite, a record 900,000 customers changed supplier.

However about 50% of UK households have never taken the opportunity to switch their provider and it is these people who are likely to have the best opportunity to make hefty savings.

How do you switch energy companies?

In theory, it is relatively easy to switch your energy supplier - and should certainly be less arduous than changing, say, a mortgage provider.

Regardless of where you live in the UK, there are several suppliers to choose from.

You can opt to have separate firms supplying your gas and electricity - or choose one company to supply both, commonly known as dual fuel.

The most common and effective way is to firstly identify the company which can offer the cheapest deal is to use a price comparison service.

Energywatch has approved 13 companies providing price comparison services both via the internet and on the telephone - and it lists these firms on its website.

Most of these companies will deal with your new supplier on your behalf, and also contact your old supplier to organise the switch. It does not cost the consumer anything - with the firms receiving a payment from the energy company which has won the new business.

However if you would rather go it alone, you can talk with the firm you want to be your new supplier and agree a contract. Then you tell your existing provider that you wish to end the service - usually having to give about one month's notice.

What if I use a pre-payment meter?

You too can also change suppliers.

People using pre-payment are often on low fixed incomes and could really benefit from moving to a less expensive provider, Energywatch says.

But despite this, industry figures suggest that just over a third of pre-payment gas users and four out of 10 electricity customers have changed supplier.

This compares with more than half of those who pay by direct debit and monthly bills.

How much can I save by switching

This depends on how much you are currently paying and on your personal circumstances - for example where you live and your level of usage.

Firms often offer discounts if you buy both gas and electricity from them.

But the industry regulator Ofgem has said that households changing their supplier for the first time can save an average of £100 per year.

Besides switching supplier, how else can I reduce my energy bills?

Changing your method of payment is one way that you may be able to save money.

If you can afford to pay by direct debit rather than by cash or cheque, this typically can knock about £40 off your annual bill, Energywatch says.


The other key thing to think about is reducing the amount of energy you use and the Energy Saving Trust has plenty of advice about this.

Tips include:


Don't leave appliances on standby

Unplug chargers for mobile phones, MP3 players etc. when not in use

Turn off lights when leaving a room

Wash clothes at lower temperatures

Turn the thermostat down

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Grate Expectations for Energy Saving Product

January 03, 2008 - Press Dispensary - A Wakefield-based business, Environmental Fireplace Solutions, is launching the Fireplace Heatsaver ( http://www.fireplaceheatsaver.co.uk ), a product that is expected to slash householders’ heating bills and reduce their carbon footprint by as much as half a ton a year.

Over seven million properties in the UK have fireplaces which act as a ‘vacuum cleaner’, constantly sucking warm air up the chimney and out of expensively heated rooms, leaving cold air behind which then has to be reheated.

Recognising this problem, George Baker - managing director of Environmental Fireplace Solutions, who has over 25 years experience of working in the flue and chimney industry - came up with the concept of an attractive, lightweight, transparent shield which is easy to place over open fireplaces or fitted gas fire appliances and remove when they are in use.

Following months of painstaking research and development by the company, production of the Fireplace Heatsaver is now in full swing and an application has been made for a UK patent, along with product recognition status from the Energy Saving Trust. The company is also in discussions with Warm Front, a body funded by DEFRA which provides households with grants for heating and insulation. Environmental Fireplace Solutions is also supported by business incubator, West Yorkshire Ventures.

Daniel Shute, a director of Environmental Fireplace Solutions, said: “Bringing a new product to market is both challenging and demanding and having the backing of West Yorkshire Ventures has been beneficial.”

He added: “As winter approaches, we are confident that the Fireplace Heatsaver, which really does make homes warmer, is a winner on both the environmental and fiscal front. Our sales target over the next 12 months is 5,000 units.”


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Will a £4000 grant make you go green?

HOUSEHOLDERS are being encouraged to get their hands on some cash and save the environment in the process.

The Energy Saving Trust is pushing for more people to apply for a £4000 grant to make their houses more energy efficient.

Already the organisation has given £19million to homeowners across Scotland for systems such as solar hot water systems, ground source heat pumps, biomass heating systems and wind turbines.

Gill Davies of the Energy Saving Trust says: "What better time of year is there to nail your green credentials to the mast and reduce your carbon footprint?

"We work closely with applicants and it takes only 15 working days from grant application to knowing you'll get the cash."

The Energy Saving Trust - an independent advisory organisation - has approved close to 2300 grants during the past four years to Scots householders to make their homes more environmentally friendly.

It has seen a 1000% increase in the uptake of such grants over the past four years under the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative, which is funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust.

Grants are capped at £4000 and limited to two per household and have been given for renewable technologies such as solar hot water systems, ground source heat pumps and biomass heating systems.

Also eligible for funding are micro hydro-electric, automated wood fuel heating systems and wind turbines made by firms such as Glasgow manufacturer Windsave, which has sold 200 micro-wind turbines in Scotland.

Retired city solicitor Alan Barwell took advantage of a grant after moving to a new home in Blairgowrie.

He was given £4000 towards the cost of a £12,000 biomass boiler. Alan, 70, said: "Without the grant we would not have been able to afford to install the biomass boiler. The boiler has been in place for almost a year and we are very pleased with it."

For more information call the Energy Saving Trust's SCHRI on 0800 138 8858 or see www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/schri
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