A quarter of a million people over 70 will get an £80 discount off their electricity bill this summer.
To qualify they have to be on a very low income - getting the pension credit 'guarantee credit'.
The rebate will be paid by the six top energy suppliers including British Gas and Eon as well as their subsidiaries.
No claim is needed as the Department for Work and Pensions will tell the energy companies who is eligible for the rebate.
The people who qualify will have a birth date of 26 March 1940 or earlier. They will also have to get the guarantee credit of the means tested benefit pension credit and not get the savings credit element.
That means their income in 2010/11 - apart from pension credit - is no more than £98.40 a week (single) or £132.60 (couple).
A couple will qualify if either meets the age qualification.
People who pay their bill through a prepayment card will also get the £80 paid by cheque or voucher posted to their address.
full article
Sunday 21 March 2010
Saturday 20 March 2010
Replace your old boiler with energy-efficient Daikin Altherma heat pumps
The boiler scrappage scheme introduced by the Government has the potential to transform the future of central heating. But rather than simply replacing one old boiler for another newer model, home owners should seize this opportunity to move away from traditional fossil fuels towards a more efficient renewable energy alternative.
It’s the perfect chance to grab the biggest cash subsidy in the market today with up to £1,300 of funding available from the Government plus a £500 Top-up Fund from Daikin UK. So don’t get left out of the renewables revolution!
Daikin Altherma heat pumps offer triple the efficiency of even the most efficient boilers in the market and produce 2/3rds of all the heat for warming our homes and hot water absolutely free from the air. Fact not fiction. Yet so far, heat pumps barely get a foot note in the ‘What’s it all about’ section of the boiler scrappage scheme website. The chances are, you’ve not even heard of them yet.
But the Daikin Altherma heat pump range offers a much more future-proof and low carbon alternative to any old (or new) boiler. And one that not only qualifies for the Boiler Scrappage Scheme £400 voucher, but also qualifies for up to £900 grant from the Government’s Low Carbon Building’s Programme and also attracts a further £500 discount available exclusively from Daikin UK: the biggest top up funding currently available in the market today.
The reality is that Daikin Altherma heat pumps are the heating and hot water solution of the future because: It provides all your hot water and home heating needs - even when the weather is down to -20°C You don’t need to rip out your central heating system or change your radiators; just replace your boiler with a heat pump It could save you up to £670 per year in fuel costs, compared with running a G-rated boiler, or up to £270 per year compared with running an A-rated boiler.
To see how these figures add up, take for example a typical Victorian three-bedroom house (120sqm), which has a total heating demand of 27,000kWhr per year. When running on a G-rated gas boiler (typically 65% efficient) the fuel costs for heating this household are on average £1,500 pounds per year. A more energy efficient A-rated condensing boiler (typically 91% efficient) will bring fuel costs down to £1,100 per year.
However, with a Daikin Altherma HT system, which delivers seasonal efficiency of more than 300%, the running costs go right down to £830 per year. That is £670 saving: a 45% lower running cost than a G-rated boiler and 24% lower than an A-rated boiler. The same major savings are calculated when the Daikin Altherma HT system is compared with G and A-rated boilers, based on a typical dual fuel tariff. And that’s without factoring potential rise in energy prices through the lifetime of your heating system.
What’s more, the entire Daikin Altherma product range available from Daikin UK is accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) so you can access all the grants available towards the cost of your installation when fitted by an MCS accredited installer. Check Daikin Altherma’s website to find an MCS certified installer near you.
full article
Daikin Altherma Heating Only Air Source Heat-Pump Boiler System installation kit
It’s the perfect chance to grab the biggest cash subsidy in the market today with up to £1,300 of funding available from the Government plus a £500 Top-up Fund from Daikin UK. So don’t get left out of the renewables revolution!
Daikin Altherma heat pumps offer triple the efficiency of even the most efficient boilers in the market and produce 2/3rds of all the heat for warming our homes and hot water absolutely free from the air. Fact not fiction. Yet so far, heat pumps barely get a foot note in the ‘What’s it all about’ section of the boiler scrappage scheme website. The chances are, you’ve not even heard of them yet.
But the Daikin Altherma heat pump range offers a much more future-proof and low carbon alternative to any old (or new) boiler. And one that not only qualifies for the Boiler Scrappage Scheme £400 voucher, but also qualifies for up to £900 grant from the Government’s Low Carbon Building’s Programme and also attracts a further £500 discount available exclusively from Daikin UK: the biggest top up funding currently available in the market today.
The reality is that Daikin Altherma heat pumps are the heating and hot water solution of the future because: It provides all your hot water and home heating needs - even when the weather is down to -20°C You don’t need to rip out your central heating system or change your radiators; just replace your boiler with a heat pump It could save you up to £670 per year in fuel costs, compared with running a G-rated boiler, or up to £270 per year compared with running an A-rated boiler.
To see how these figures add up, take for example a typical Victorian three-bedroom house (120sqm), which has a total heating demand of 27,000kWhr per year. When running on a G-rated gas boiler (typically 65% efficient) the fuel costs for heating this household are on average £1,500 pounds per year. A more energy efficient A-rated condensing boiler (typically 91% efficient) will bring fuel costs down to £1,100 per year.
However, with a Daikin Altherma HT system, which delivers seasonal efficiency of more than 300%, the running costs go right down to £830 per year. That is £670 saving: a 45% lower running cost than a G-rated boiler and 24% lower than an A-rated boiler. The same major savings are calculated when the Daikin Altherma HT system is compared with G and A-rated boilers, based on a typical dual fuel tariff. And that’s without factoring potential rise in energy prices through the lifetime of your heating system.
What’s more, the entire Daikin Altherma product range available from Daikin UK is accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) so you can access all the grants available towards the cost of your installation when fitted by an MCS accredited installer. Check Daikin Altherma’s website to find an MCS certified installer near you.
full article
Daikin Altherma Heating Only Air Source Heat-Pump Boiler System installation kit
Npower boiler scrappage scheme to run indefinitely
Energy giant Npower has pledged to continue offering its £400 boiler scrappage discount after the government’s scheme ends.
Consumers who want to replace their old G-rated boiler for a new energy efficient one will still be able to get a £400 discount from Npower, once the government’s boiler scheme ends.
Currently, Npower - along with British Gas - promises to match the government’s £400 grant, which means eligible households can combine the scrappage schemes to get an £800 discount on an A-rated boiler installation from Npower when they trade in their old G-rated one.
Government vouchers running out fast
The government’s boiler scrappage scheme was launched in January 2010 and has seen an impressive take-up. Last month, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) reported that of the 125,000 boiler scrappage vouchers available, Decc had already issued more than 54,000 scrappage vouchers .
Npower retail chief executive Kevin Miles said: ‘The scrappage scheme has proven to be extremely popular and if take-up continues at the same rate, we expect the government’s scheme to close in April.
Shop around for the best boiler deal
Which? home editor Liz Edwards warned: ‘While it’s good news that Npower will continue this discount, don’t assume that the company offering the biggest discount will necessarily be offering the best boiler installation deal.
‘When we took a snapshot of boiler installation costs in 2009, we compared British Gas quotes against several independent central heating engineers and found British Gas charged up to twice as much as the lowest priced independent boiler engineer for the same job.
‘If you’re considering replacing your boiler, make sure you shop around and get several quotes before committing.’
full article
Consumers who want to replace their old G-rated boiler for a new energy efficient one will still be able to get a £400 discount from Npower, once the government’s boiler scheme ends.
Currently, Npower - along with British Gas - promises to match the government’s £400 grant, which means eligible households can combine the scrappage schemes to get an £800 discount on an A-rated boiler installation from Npower when they trade in their old G-rated one.
Government vouchers running out fast
The government’s boiler scrappage scheme was launched in January 2010 and has seen an impressive take-up. Last month, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) reported that of the 125,000 boiler scrappage vouchers available, Decc had already issued more than 54,000 scrappage vouchers .
Npower retail chief executive Kevin Miles said: ‘The scrappage scheme has proven to be extremely popular and if take-up continues at the same rate, we expect the government’s scheme to close in April.
Shop around for the best boiler deal
Which? home editor Liz Edwards warned: ‘While it’s good news that Npower will continue this discount, don’t assume that the company offering the biggest discount will necessarily be offering the best boiler installation deal.
‘When we took a snapshot of boiler installation costs in 2009, we compared British Gas quotes against several independent central heating engineers and found British Gas charged up to twice as much as the lowest priced independent boiler engineer for the same job.
‘If you’re considering replacing your boiler, make sure you shop around and get several quotes before committing.’
full article
Sunday 14 March 2010
Guide to greening your home
Greening your home can save you energy and money as well as making it healthier and lowering its carbon footprint
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Insulation and glazing
Around half of the heat loss in a typical home is through the walls and loft so it's worth checking whether yours are insulated. Adopting the following measures can significantly reduce your energy bills:
* Cavity wall insulation
* Solid wall insulation
* Floor insulation
* Loft Insulation
* Draught proofing around doors and window frames
* Hot water tank and pipe insulation
* Double glazing for windows
For more details including cost, payback and savings see the Energy Saving Trust's guide to home insulation and glazing.
For information about where to start and what materials to use click here.
Find out about the grants and offers available to help you to make energy saving improvements to your home here.
Heating and hot water
Fitting an A-rated high efficiency condensing boiler with the correct heating controls can make a big difference to your heating bills over time. The current lifespan of a boiler is around 15 years. If your home has a G-rated or worse boiler you can register for the boiler scrappage scheme and receive a £400 cashback voucher towards the cost of upgrading to an A-rated boiler.
If you have a programmer or timer, set it so that the heating only comes on when needed. Just turning your thermostat down by 1C could save you around £55 a year.
Home appliances, home entertainment and electronics
How efficient are your home appliances? Energy Tariff Ltd
has an energy calculator website for domestic appliances, allowing you to choose the most efficient products and tariffs.
Looking to buy a new fridge, dishwasher or TV? Compare and buy products here that can help you stop wasting energy and money at home.
Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics guide ranks the 18 biggest manufacturers of computers, mobile phones, TVs and games consoles according to their policies on toxic chemicals, recycling and climate change.
Energy labels
The EU energy label rates products from A (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient). For refrigeration the label goes up to A++.
Alternatively look for the Energy Saving Recommended label, a quick and easy way to identify the most energy efficient products. It includes products in categories where there isn't a statutory EU energy label such as glazing, televisions and boilers.
Green electricity
Most energy suppliers offer 'green' electricity tariffs that seek to support renewable energy. Look carefully at what suppliers are offering - few actually produce more renewable energy that they are required to be the legally-enforced Renewables Obligation. This comparison site is a good place to start.
Smart Meters
Knowing how much energy (and money) you are using at any given time is easier with a Smart Meter. Over the next 11 years every household in Britain will receive Smart Meters, one for gas and one for electricity. You'll be able to track your energy usage over set periods of time, from a day, up to a full year.
Laura Sevier
full article
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Insulation and glazing
Around half of the heat loss in a typical home is through the walls and loft so it's worth checking whether yours are insulated. Adopting the following measures can significantly reduce your energy bills:
* Cavity wall insulation
* Solid wall insulation
* Floor insulation
* Loft Insulation
* Draught proofing around doors and window frames
* Hot water tank and pipe insulation
* Double glazing for windows
For more details including cost, payback and savings see the Energy Saving Trust's guide to home insulation and glazing.
For information about where to start and what materials to use click here.
Find out about the grants and offers available to help you to make energy saving improvements to your home here.
Heating and hot water
Fitting an A-rated high efficiency condensing boiler with the correct heating controls can make a big difference to your heating bills over time. The current lifespan of a boiler is around 15 years. If your home has a G-rated or worse boiler you can register for the boiler scrappage scheme and receive a £400 cashback voucher towards the cost of upgrading to an A-rated boiler.
If you have a programmer or timer, set it so that the heating only comes on when needed. Just turning your thermostat down by 1C could save you around £55 a year.
Home appliances, home entertainment and electronics
How efficient are your home appliances? Energy Tariff Ltd
has an energy calculator website for domestic appliances, allowing you to choose the most efficient products and tariffs.
Looking to buy a new fridge, dishwasher or TV? Compare and buy products here that can help you stop wasting energy and money at home.
Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics guide ranks the 18 biggest manufacturers of computers, mobile phones, TVs and games consoles according to their policies on toxic chemicals, recycling and climate change.
Energy labels
The EU energy label rates products from A (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient). For refrigeration the label goes up to A++.
Alternatively look for the Energy Saving Recommended label, a quick and easy way to identify the most energy efficient products. It includes products in categories where there isn't a statutory EU energy label such as glazing, televisions and boilers.
Green electricity
Most energy suppliers offer 'green' electricity tariffs that seek to support renewable energy. Look carefully at what suppliers are offering - few actually produce more renewable energy that they are required to be the legally-enforced Renewables Obligation. This comparison site is a good place to start.
Smart Meters
Knowing how much energy (and money) you are using at any given time is easier with a Smart Meter. Over the next 11 years every household in Britain will receive Smart Meters, one for gas and one for electricity. You'll be able to track your energy usage over set periods of time, from a day, up to a full year.
Laura Sevier
full article
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