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Bristol to benefit from community energy efficiency plans
New plans have been unveiled to bring a raft of energy efficiency improvements to households across Bristol, with a new local authority investment targeted at supporting local residents to lower their bills.
A total of 11 projects will now take place across the city, with a cost to Bristol City... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
Energy efficiency boost for Aberdeenshire homes
Funding for a new pilot project to enhance the energy efficiency of homes across Aberdeenshire has been allocated by the Scottish government.
Socially-owned and private properties in Huntly, Lumsden and the surrounding areas will benefit from a new £660,000 investment as part of the incoming... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
Funding scheme to provide 'central heating for cities'
A new five-year scheme to enhance the energy efficiency of homes and businesses across England and Wales has been announced by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The new £320 million fund will funnel investment into the creation of new heat networks in towns and... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
New Poole homes 'to encourage downsizing'
A range of new energy-efficient properties have been built in Poole that will aim to encourage many people living in larger homes in the area to downsize and reduce their monthly outgoings.
Designed to tackle the ongoing issue of fuel poverty across the region, the Bournemouth Echo reports these... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
New report calls for fresh approach to energy efficiency regulations for buildings
The government has been urged to adopt a new approach to building regulations in order to improve national energy efficiency standards.
New research from the Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE) and the Regulatory Assistance Project has warned Theresa May's administration that the... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
Glasgow housing associations to tackle heating problems to reduce poverty
A group of Glasgow housing associations has pledged to address heating problems local residents are suffering with as part of a wider effort to tackle poverty across north-west Glasgow.
Queens Cross Housing Association, ng Homes and Maryhill Housing have signed a joint Charter to Challenge Poverty,... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
British Gas/NEA scheme helps more than a million fight fuel poverty
British Gas and the charity National Energy Action (NEA) have highlighted the considerable success of their Community Action Partnership, a scheme launched in 2014 to help tackle fuel poverty on a nationwide basis.
Devised as the first nationwide grassroots initiative to support people struggling... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
BWCE launches new grant programme to help tackle carbon emissions
Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) has announced the launch of a new grant programme to help communities in Bath and the surrounding area to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty.
A total of £40,000 will be distributed to local community groups through the BWCE Fund scheme,... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
Funds for housing improvement and upgrade projects in Northern Ireland
Recently, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) published its four-year financial plan, outlining how much money councils would receive for upgrading and maintaining existing homes.
According to the plan, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough councils will receive £18.72 million for... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
4 things new landlords need to know
Becoming a landlord might seem like a simple process on the surface: buy a flat, rent it out. But those in the property market know how complicated it can actually be. There's a lot to think about in order to ensure you're meeting both legal and ethical requirements and there are a lot... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
What are U values?
When it comes to specifying building materials, it's easy to get caught up in technical terms and industry jargon - and making sense of all those numbers can be pretty complicated.
For example, what's a U-value and why is it important?
Simply put, U-values measure how effective a... More >
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5 ways to improve thermal performance in a historic home
Historic homes can be a joy to live in - each property tells a story and they also tend to have a character and charm that's missing from many new-build homes. However, older properties also have their downsides and one big issue is that they're normally not energy efficient.
However, just... More >
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How long do energy-saving measures last?
When you're trying to make a property as energy-efficient as possible, there are a lot of options to choose from and deciding which methods to implement will depend on a variety of factors.
For example, you'll want to think about issues such as how much energy a particular measure... More >
Categories: Solid Wall Insulation
Top tips for stopping echoes
Echoes can be annoying, and many homes have serious echo problems. So how do you stop echoes in a home? The good news it's it can be both easy and budget-friendly.
What causes echoes?
First, let's take a quick look at why some rooms tend to echo more than others. It basically comes down to... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
House of Commons report calls Green Deal design 'woefully inadequate'
The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has issued a report that highlights the failures of household energy efficiency schemes - in particular, the Green Deal. While these policies were implemented to improve the energy efficiency of Britain's housing stock - helping to alleviate... More >
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UK among world's most efficient countries
A report from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has recently been released, ranking countries on their energy efficiency. The UK was ranked in the number five position, indicating that it's one of the world's most energy efficiency countries.
The 23 countries... More >
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Experts call for higher quality housing
The Academic-Practioner Partnership has recently published a paper highlighting the "one-sided" approach to housing policy.
This paper, which was prepared by an informal partnership of academics, housing and regeneration practitioners and housing and health researchers... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
Challenge of sustainable and affordable homes "one of the biggest of our age"
With buildings accounting for more than one-third (37 per cent) of the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions, focussing on bringing down the energy use of homes and commercial space could help us to reach long-term carbon targets. But there are other issues for those in the building and housing... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
Developers urged to take responsibility over energy efficiency
Developers are being urged to take responsibility for making homes more energy efficient. This comes after a committee of MPs said the government has not done enough to make housing greener.
London-based developer HUB specialising in mid-market housing says that the property industry needs to be... More >
Categories: Solid Wall Insulation
8 things to think about when considering underfloor heating
Underfloor heating is an increasingly popular choice for many homeowners and property developers - especially in bathrooms and wetrooms. But why is underfloor heating the preferred option and what do you need to know before you choose this option?
1. Aesthetics
If you're trying to... More >
Categories: Under Floor Heating Insulation
Energy consultation 'empowers' housing associations
The current Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a scheme that requires energy companies to fund efficiency projects, such as the installation of solid wall insulation in communities. The current version of the ECO is scheduled to end in March 2017 and a replacement scheme - which... More >
Categories: Solid Wall Insulation
Hotel in Guernsey gets makeover
The La Collinette Hotel in St Peter Port Guernsey has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment project, which upgraded the restaurant, bar and swimming pool areas.
Works in the restaurant, which has seating for 40 people, included the installation of new underfloor heating. The new heating... More >
Categories: Under Floor Heating Insulation
Celebrity style inspiration for your wetroom
A wetroom can be a practical addition to any home. It offers easy access for those with decreased mobility, plus it's easier to clean and can save space in more modest-sized bathrooms. But it's not just a functional addition to your property - a wetroom can also bring a touch of... More >
Categories: Wet Room Waterproofing
Local authority energy efficiency projects helping to reduce fuel poverty
There seems to be more and more emphasis on saving energy and creating low-carbon homes - but achieving those aims can be difficult when support from the government is diminishing.
Homes are responsible for around a quarter of the world's energy demand and this is a major concern in the UK,... More >
Categories: Solid Wall Insulation
New-build housing in Fife 'taking shape'
As part of Fife Council's Affordable Housing programme, the local authority has been working on a number of projects to increase the number of low-cost homes across the region.
Recently, Councillor Judy Hamilton, Fife Council's executive spokesperson for housing and building services... More >
Categories: Thermal Insulation
Somersham Victory Hall to get acoustic makeover
Community halls are wonderful facilities for a local area, providing a place for clubs and other groups to meet up and spend time. Unfortunately, many of these old buildings are falling into disrepair and are not suitable for purpose anymore - meaning the groups that use them need to find other... More >
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More action required to make homes and buildings energy efficient
There's an increasing focus on bringing down energy use and carbon footprints - this is great news for the environment, but some experts believe that more needs to be done to decrease the amount of energy it takes to run a home. This is especially true in the winter, as a significant... More >
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How to deal with airplane noise
Heading to the airport can often mean the beginning of a great adventure - a holiday to an exotic destination with sunshine, delicious foods and the opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime.
But as your flight is taking off for your dream getaway, the rumbling of the jet... More >
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What are the top trends in bathroom design?
If you're looking to add a sense of luxury to a home, there are plenty of options to consider - but one room that's sometimes forgotten in the upgrade process is the bathroom.
Bathrooms may be practical spaces in the home, but they're also a great place to add high-end touches. After... More >
Categories: Wet Room Waterproofing
How to create an accessible bathroom
When planning a new bathroom, most people spend their time selecting the right tiles and bathroom furniture - but accessibility is another important consideration.
There are many reasons a household may need an accessible loo and homeowners can plan a bathroom remodel to suit the specific needs of... More >
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