UK Energy Saving Blog

Five Ways to Cut Down on your Energy Bills

2012-01-24T19:56:00.000Z

Tired of stressing over the rising cost of gas and electricity? You may not be able to change the sky-high tariffs, but you can change your energy consumption habits. Here are five ways that you can reduce your energy bills.

1. Avoid using energy during peak hours. Using less electricity during peak hours is a great start to cutting your household energy bills. When you’re getting ready for work in the morning, try air drying your hair instead of plugging in the blow dryer, and listen to the radio instead of turning on the television. And when you get home in the evening, consider keeping your dinner preparations to a minimum with a light dinner or reading instead of watching television.

2. Upgrade your appliances. The newer an appliance is, the more likely it is to be energy efficient. This is because as technology advances, manufacturers find new and better ways to make your essential appliances do more with less energy. For example, a ten-year old refrigerator uses far more power than one that you just bought last year. Also, think about getting a front-loading washer, which uses less power and less water.

3. Turn off your computer. Whether you have a desktop or a laptop, you probably use it enough to be conscious of how much power it uses. Instead of leaving it idle, try using the power saving mode to put your computer to sleep in between sessions. This will help you save energy and also enable you to get back to work quickly when you return to your computer.

4. Work with your energy company. If you’re not getting the best deal on your energy tariffs, call your provider to see if they have any promotions that you can use to your advantage. If not, start researching other companies to find the cheapest gas and electricity for your home.

5. Work with Mother Nature, too. If you can create a synergy between your home and the environment, it could actually help you save energy. For example, use window treatments that allow plenty of sunlight to enter the house during the day so that you use less artificial lighting. You could also plant bushes around the perimeter of the house to serve as extra insulation during the hot and cold seasons.

Guest post

UK Energy Saving Responds to Government Feed-in Tariff Announcement

2012-01-20T20:28:00.003Z

UK Energy Saving has today published a press release commenting on yesterday's announcement by the government regarding solar feed-in tariffs. Read the press release via one of the links below.

UK Energy Saving
PRLog
PRNewsDistribution
Pressbox

REVIEW - My Green Directory iPhone App

2012-01-20T20:23:00.003Z

The App also has a simple Listings section allowing you to go through all the categories (including areas such as alternative energy, conservation, food & drink and health & beauty) and filter down to find the companies available. This is easy to use and ultimately provides basic details of the companies usually including web links and phone numbers. There is the facility within the App for reviews to be available, although currently few companies seem to have been reviewed.

Read the full review here.

REVIEW - Taptu Environment iPhone & iPad App

2012-01-20T20:15:00.004Z

The Taptu App contains over 20 news streams, many of which relate to environmental sections and columns of The Guardian, but also other relevant blogs and news sites. You can select the streams which you are interested in viewing (literally adding them from a list which includes an image and brief description) and these are then added to your personal streams list. You can also mix and colour code streams for a more personalised feel.

Read the full review here.

Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

2012-01-18T13:36:00.001Z

It's been another couple of weeks since our last diary post, but the wood burning stove has still been seeing plenty of action. Combined with the mild winter we've been having, using the stove will undoubtedly have saved us money on our heating this winter. We'll report more on that in due course, but there have been many evenings when the heating would have been on had we not had the fire to keep the chills away. Of course we've had to pay for some wood for the fire, but we've been stocking up on free wood too. Spread the word if you do install a wood burning stove as it's surprising how many people have wood available from time to time.

It might seem like an obvious point, but if you have children do invest in a fire guard for your stove. The stoves get very very hot so it is important to ensure that even slightly older children can't touch the stove even by accident. We have put a couple of hooks on the wall through which we can position our fire guard so that it can't be knocked over or moved, but this is probably only necessary with inquisitive toddlers, and exactly how you secure it will depend on the design. We do move ours out of the way once the children are in bed, however, as this does let a little more heat circulate. Ours is actually second hand so this is something which it is worth looking out for at car boot sales and the like.

If you've got any tips or information you'd like to pass on to our readers about your experiences with a wood burning stove, do comment on this post.

PREVIOUS DIARY ENTRIES

5th January 2012 - Too much draught!
21st December - Christmas Eve plans

13th December - Cleaning blackened glass

5th December - Laundry drying!

21st November - More fuel types and a feathery visitor!

14th November - Trying out some different fuel

7th November - Warming the house

31st October - Cosy living room

12th October - Where to keep all that wood...

19th September 2011 - The first lighting of the season!

REVIEW - Raw Chocolate Company Raw Chocolate Supremefoods

2012-01-16T19:59:00.004Z

We tried the Organic Raw Chocolate Raisins first. The raisins are dipped in raw chocolate and then dusted with cacao powder. Lovely juicy raisins are used and that contrasts well with the rich, dark chocolate. These were my personal favourite.....

If you are a dark chocolate fan, these Surpremefoods will make tasty snacks rich in antioxidants. The re-sealable bags are also very handy, as, whilst they are somewhat moreish, eating a full packet all at once would be too much! They are also something of a treat at £2.99 for 100g of raisins, £3.49 for 100g of mulberries and £3.99 for 100g of goji berries. If you buy a case of 12 bags, however, you get 12 for the price of 11 and the 200g bags are better value. The plastic/foil bags will be tricky to recycle.

Read the full review here.

REVIEW - Raw Chocolate Company Raw Chocolate Bars

2012-01-13T14:18:00.004Z

The Raw Chocolate Company offer a range of Raw Chocolate bars which contain no added sugar or dairy and are made using sun-dried cacao. Raw cacao is extremely high in antioxidants and The Raw Chocolate Company is Fairtrade, Soil Association and Vegan Society accredited......

.....As is always the case with chocolate, personal taste will dictate which one each person will like best, but I can definitely recommend trying these products particularly if you are a dark chocolate fan, although the Organic Vanoffe bar in particular will also appeal to milk chocolate lovers. All the bars have a good solid texture (they don’t need to be refrigerated).

Read the full review here.

REVIEW - Tropical Wholefoods Fairtrade Apricot Kernels

2012-01-09T13:27:00.002Z

The apricot kernels look like a small nut and, as you’d expect, have a crunchy texture. They are rich in mono- and poly-unsaturated fat and fibre so make for a healthy snack. The natural apricot kernels I personally found to be rather bland in taste although with a hint of almond, but the Tamari Roast were a much more interesting flavour, and I’d be happy to have them for a snack.

Read the full review here.

REVIEW - Faith in Nature Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Wipes

2012-01-09T13:22:00.003Z

These wipes have a light citrusy smell and we tried them on a few different surfaces including bathroom sinks, a baby changing mat and tiled areas. They are not overly large in size but one is sufficient to wipe down a sink or similar. The wipes are very moist and produce a small amount of ‘foam’ leaving a good finish. Whilst I personally tend to use a reusable cleaning cloth and spray or cream cleaner, I would find these wipes particularly useful for areas such as changing mats and high chairs.

Read the full review here.

Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

2012-01-05T13:42:00.000Z

It's been a couple of weeks since our last diary entry but our trusty wood burning stove has still been getting plenty of use over the festive period. You may recall that we were planning on trying to keep the fire in overnight on Christmas Eve, but the weather was so mild that we decided against it! If we get a colder spell we might still give that a go so watch this space!

Even though the weather has been relatively mild, there has of course been a great deal of strong wind over the last few days. Getting the fire going has been quite tricky as a result. We've found that the extra draught created by the wind means that the newspaper and kindling is burning so quickly it's hard to get a log going before it's all died out. Careful watching and less airflow seem to be required as well as putting a log on earlier than normal. We've also had to add more paper to keep the flames alive while the heat builds up. Once the fire is going it has been fine. Any other tips on dealing with this situation are very welcome!

There were a couple of wood burning stove-related presents in our household this year! One was a canvas log carrier which has proved to be very useful for getting logs into the house. There will be others on the market, but ours is from Fallen Fruits (see image) and is available on Amazon. We also received a log maker designed to make logs from newspaper. We'll be writing a review of this product shortly so more on that to follow.

PREVIOUS DIARY ENTRIES

21st December - Christmas Eve plans

13th December - Cleaning blackened glass

5th December - Laundry drying!

21st November - More fuel types and a feathery visitor!

14th November - Trying out some different fuel

7th November - Warming the house

31st October - Cosy living room

12th October - Where to keep all that wood...

19th September 2011 - The first lighting of the season!

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...

2012-01-05T09:00:00.000Z

Pack decorations away carefully so that they won’t need replacing next year and either replant or compost your real Christmas tree.

This is the last of our '12 Days of Christmas' tips, which I hope you have found useful. Keep visiting the UK Energy Saving Blog and our main website for plenty more energy saving and green living tips and information.

Make a Change 2011

2012-01-04T13:31:00.004Z

Our Make a Change 2011 campaign has now ended but we have published an overview of all the energy saving and ethical living suggestions as a reminder. Have a read...

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas...

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000Z

Christmas cards can be cut up to make gift tags for next year – recycle anything that’s left. There may be Christmas card recycling schemes happening in your area or you could include them with your paper recycling.

Pop back tomorrow for our final tip or subscribe to this blog so you don't forget!

Latest greenCHAT Newsletter

2012-01-03T20:34:00.004Z

The latest issue of greenCHAT is now on our site and looks at insulating your home and wood-fuelled heating, along with the latest updates on our website and details of some other interesting sites.

NEW Energy Watch from UK Energy Saving

2012-01-03T14:06:00.004Z

Our Energy Watch page has had a facelift! You may have read our monthly Energy Watch updates over recent years, but we hope you will also like our new look and style. The page will now feature a different green/ethical company or event each month and we hope this will provide information for our visitors on some of the great eco organisations out there.

To kick start the New Year, the first new-style Energy Watch page features the wonderful Bishopston Trading Company, and we hope you will find the information interesting.

As always, we welcome any comments or suggestions you may have - do get in touch. To be reminded of when the page is updated each month, subscribe to this blog or follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Read our press release at one of the links below:
UK Energy Saving
PRLog
24-7 Press Release
PR-GB

Green Product of the Month

2012-01-03T13:59:00.001Z

This month we have selected Easy Logs from The Briquette Company to be our Green Product of the Month for January. You can read our review to see what our thoughts on the product were.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas...

2012-01-03T09:00:00.000Z

Back to work? Try taking public transport or car sharing to reduce your car usage and carbon emissions.

Pop back each day to find out what our next tips will be or subscribe to this blog so you don't forget!

On the Ninth Day of Christmas...

2012-01-02T09:00:00.000Z

The Christmas season is almost over so find homes for all your pressies and think about the best way to recycle replaced items such as mobile phones.

Pop back each day to find out what our next tips will be or subscribe to this blog so you don't forget!

On the Eight Day of Christmas...

2012-01-01T09:00:00.000Z

Happy New Year! Make a green/ethical new year’s resolution. Here are a few ideas...

- Try more organic and Fairtrade products
- Replace bulbs with energy saving light bulbs
- Switch your electricity supply to a green tariff
- Buy fish from an MSC source
- Draught proof your home and install insulation

There are loads more suggestion on our website.

Pop back each day to find out what our next tips will be or subscribe to this blog so you don't forget!

On the Seventh Day of Christmas...

2011-12-31T09:00:00.000Z

Put on a Christmas jumper, invite all your friends over for a knees-up and turn the heating down a notch or two to save some energy and money!

Check out our tips page for other simple energy saving suggestions.

Pop back each day to find out what our next tips will be or subscribe to this blog so you don't forget!

REVIEW - Bentley Organic Conditioner for All Hair Types

2011-12-30T13:56:00.001Z

With normal to dry hair, I use conditioner every few days, usually just on the ends of my hair. Trying this conditioner in the same way left my hair soft and easy to comb. I did also try conditioning all over as I do on occasion, but I think this would be a better option for very dry hair as it was too much for my hair. Because of this I didn’t try the ‘leave in’ option, but again this might be fine for drier hair which needs a deep condition. The conditioner had a pleasant scent and washed out easily.

Read the full review here.

REVIEW - Bentley Organic Shampoo for Frequent Use

2011-12-30T13:55:00.001Z

I wash my hair daily and have normal to dry hair. This shampoo was therefore a good one to try as it is designed for frequent use. I perhaps needed a touch more shampoo than with my regular product but it did then produce a good lather which gave off a lovely scent. The shampoo then rinsed away easily, leaving my hair feeling very clean with no residue. Washing my hair regularly as I do, it is reassuring to use a product containing such a high level of organic and natural ingredients.

Read the full review here.

REVIEW - Bentley Organic Salad, Fruit & Veg Wash

2011-12-30T13:45:00.003Z

The Bentley Organic Salad, Fruit & Veg Wash is virtually scent free which I was pleased about, as I wouldn’t want my food to smell of any kind of cleaning agent! Visually there was no difference in the food once washed using the solution, but it does claim to kill bacteria as well as remove chemicals and water resistant contaminants. We are unable to test this scientifically, but, in respect of the mainly organic food-grade ingredients, I have no problem using the solution on our food. I do question, however, how necessary this is compared with washing well in tap water as people have always done, and would want to know that it is considerably safer practice than using water before buying.

Read the full review here.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas...

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000Z

Think about offering organic and/or Fairtrade food and drink on New Year’s Eve. There's a wide choice available from local stores and supermarkets.

We have reviewed many organic and Fairtrade food and drink items - visit our review section to see what we thought.

Pop back each day to find out what our next tips will be or subscribe to this blog so you don't forget!

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

2011-12-29T09:00:00.000Z

Don’t buy throwaway crockery and cutlery for a New Year’s Eve party – if you don’t have enough can you borrow or hire more? Or perhaps you don't need plates. Could you use paper napkins which can then be recycled?

Check out local department stores and large retailers and do a web search to see what's available to hire in your area.

Pop back each day to find out what our next tips will be or subscribe to this blog so you don't forget!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000Z

If you don’t have gift receipts, keep unwanted/duplicate gifts to re-gift in the future. Just make sure you remember who gave it to you in the first place! If you don't think you'll be able to pass it on to someone else, why not donate it to charity.

Pop back each day to find out what our next tips will be or subscribe to this blog so you don't forget!

On the Third Day of Christmas...

2011-12-27T09:00:00.000Z

Another bank holiday today so wrap up warm, forget the car and go for a brisk walk in the countryside or through your local park, burning off some of those extra calories at the same time!

Pop back each day to find out what our next tips will be or subscribe to this blog so you don't forget!

On the Second Day of Christmas...

2011-12-26T09:00:00.000Z

After all the fun and festivities of Christmas Day, don't waste all those fantastic leftovers! Visit Love Food Hate Waste for some recipe suggestions and freeze what you can to avoid wastage.

Pop back each day to find out what our next tips will be or subscribe to this blog so you don't forget!

On the First Day of Christmas....

2011-12-25T09:00:00.000Z

Happy Christmas and welcome to our first '12 Days of Christmas' tip!

Keep your head as the excitement of unwrapping presents begins, and keep all that wrapping paper for recycling! You'll probably be able to have it collected as part of your usual kerbside paper recycling scheme but check with your local authority if you're not sure.

For more information on paper recycling follow the link.

Pop back each day to find out what our next tips will be or subscribe to this blog so you don't forget!

Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

2011-12-21T20:20:00.000Z

Unusually, we haven't actually lit the wood burning stove today as we were out later than normal, but it has now become a daily ritual to light the stove at about tea time or sometimes earlier in the afternoon depending who's in and how chilly it feels! We are definitely getting used to the cosy feel of having a fire roaring into the evening!

On Christmas Eve we hope to manage to keep enough of a fire going to be able to simply stoke it up on Christmas morning so that we're lovely and warm while we open all the pressies from Father Christmas! (Best leave the magic key outside for him so he doesn't get burnt on the way down the chimney)! This will be the first time we've kept the stove lit overnight so any tips are welcome. We'll let you know how we get on!

We're certainly getting very used to lighting the stove and keeping it clean now. If there are any areas you'd like to hear more about, or if you have any questions on topics we haven't covered yet, do let us know.

Well, this will probably be our last installment before Christmas so we'll take this opportunity to wish all our readers a very happy Christmas.

PREVIOUS DIARY ENTRIES

13th December - Cleaning blackened glass

5th December - Laundry drying!

21st November - More fuel types and a feathery visitor!

14th November - Trying out some different fuel

7th November - Warming the house

31st October - Cosy living room

12th October - Where to keep all that wood...

19th September 2011 - The first lighting of the season!

REVIEW - Tropical Wholefoods Sun Dried Banana Bogoya Slices

2011-12-16T13:27:00.004Z

These banana slices are rather different to the usual dried banana chips. Rather than being cut in rounds, they are in longer chunks and are chewy rather than crunchy. They are dark brown in colour so not the most visually appealing, but that didn’t stop my young daughter from trying and loving them! They are not my favourite dried fruit to be honest, but that is really down to personal taste, as these do have a good chewy texture and distinct banana flavour. As suggested on the packet, I think they would be great in fruit cakes or perhaps even chopped and thrown in a curry.

Read the full review here.

REVIEW - Faith in Nature Powerful Anti-Bacterial Bathroom Spray

2011-12-16T13:16:00.004Z

This product has a subtle citrusy scent, which is a pleasant change from the harsher chemical smells of some cleaning products. The nozzle has two spray settings and I particularly liked the fine spray which was easy to direct and didn’t use too much product. Of course, without a scientific test, we have to take for granted the anti-bacterial properties of the spray, but in terms of visible cleanliness I was happy with the finish after using this on my bathroom surfaces. I prefer to use as few chemicals as possible for household cleaning, but I do like a product with anti-bacterial properties for my toilets, and I would be happy to continue to use this Faith in Nature spray.

Read the full review here.

Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

2011-12-13T20:35:00.001Z

Well it's been another good week for our wood burning stove! We're really used to getting it going now (I've been getting some practice in too!) and it's become such a lovely feature of our home. As I've mentioned previously, we have definitely used the central heating much less so far this autumn, most days just by having the stove on from late afternoon. We did have it lit for longer on the weekend, though, and the whole of the downstairs was toasty by early evening, with more warmth also drifting upstairs.

As well as being great for warming the house, the flickering flames are a very pleasant sight and we've also had a number of positive comments from visitors about the style of the stove, which is traditional but simple enough to fit in well with our modern house. (In case you missed it in earlier posts we have a Morso Squirrel 1430 - see image of the side of stove above).

We are still having a little blackening of the glass but have found that cleaning it daily is a quick and easy job. Left any longer and more elbow grease is required! My husband found a very useful tip for cleaning the glass which involves screwed up newspaper. Simply wet the newspaper a little, dip it into the ash at the bottom of the fire and use a small circular motion to clean the glass. Works a treat! (Of course, make sure the stove is completely cool before doing this).

Otherwise the only cleaning that is required is emptying the ash tray which we normally do every other day if we've just had the fire on in the evening. Make sure you either cover this in some way to carry it to the bin or that there are no draughts on route, otherwise you will find out how the ash can get everywhere!

More installments coming soon...

PREVIOUS DIARY ENTRIES

5th December - Laundry drying!

21st November - More fuel types and a feathery visitor!

14th November - Trying out some different fuel

7th November - Warming the house

31st October - Cosy living room

12th October - Where to keep all that wood...

19th September 2011 - The first lighting of the season!

REVIEW - Bentley Organic Moisturising Hand Sanitizer

2011-12-06T19:37:00.001Z

With small children, I do tend to carry a hand sanitizer in my bag for all those times that they could do with washing their hands but there are no facilities nearby! The trouble with many of them, however, is that they are a gel, which can be tricky for little ones to rub in, have a strong smell and are rather drying. The Bentley Organic Moisturising Hand Sanitizer had none of these issues. A simple pump action spout releases a small amount of foam which is very easy to rub into hands. It dries quickly but leaves hands soft and has a barely discernible scent.....

Read the full review here.

REVIEW - Tropical Wholefoods Organic Sun Dried Pineapple

2011-12-05T14:04:00.001Z

Quite simply this sun dried pineapple is delicious – even my young daughter agrees! It is sweet, chewy and moreish, making a lovely healthy snack for adults and children alike. The pack also contains suggestions for other ways to use the pineapple such as in a fruit shake. This product is not Fairtrade certified but Tropical Wholefoods are a Fairtrade licensee.

Read the full review here.

REVIEW - Bentley Organic Calming Body Lotion

2011-12-05T14:03:00.001Z

I use a body moisturiser daily so was pleased to find that this product from Bentley Organic goes a long way as well as containing such a high percentage of organic ingredients. I didn’t need to apply much to get good coverage and the lotion soaked in easily. It left my skin soft and has a pleasant but not too overpowering lavender scent. I would definitely be happy to use this on an on-going basis.

Read the full review here.

REVIEW - Bentley Organic Calming & Moisturising Bodywash

2011-12-05T14:02:00.001Z

We first reviewed this product back in 2008, but here’s our updated review....

My skin can be quite dry so I am often wary of trying new products. As before, this product from Bentley Organic, however, didn’t dry out my skin at all. It makes a lovely lather and has a really pleasant scent; noticeable but not too overpowering. It’s reassuring to know that the product contains so many natural and organic ingredients, particularly with something such as body wash which is used every day....

Read the full review here.

Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

2011-12-05T13:48:00.000Z

Welcome to the latest entry in our Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

This week has seen us trying out yet another type of fuel, this time Easy-Logs from The Briquette Company (see image). You can see a fuller review of these briquettes on our website, but we were pleased with this product, which is made from 100% wood chippings and burns well.

We have unfortunately had another feathered friend appear in the fire, but thankfully this one was also helped to escape. We'll definitely be taking the advice of one of our readers last week, who suggested fitting something to the top of the chimney to stop birds getting in. I'm not sure why this wasn't done when the stove was fitted, so perhaps this would be something to check with your installer.

On a positive note, I have had another, much more successful, attempt at lighting the fire all by myself this week!! This time I soon had a good blaze going and I think the key was keeping a close eye on it in the early stages.

My other tip of the week is regarding drying washing! Once it becomes too cold and wet to successfully dry washing outside, I usually use our spare room, and try to avoid the tumble dryer as much as possible. Early autumn is often the hardest time to get things dry, however, as the heating isn't on much and this year we've used the heating less than normal (thanks to our lovely stove) even as it's got colder. I don't like having washing hanging around the lounge all day, but have been putting the clothes horse in front of the stove when we go to bed. Even without stoking it up the stove is still warm so the clothes are much further towards being dry by morning.

I'm sure there'll be more to report soon, so watch this space for the next diary installment!

PREVIOUS DIARY ENTRIES

21st November - More fuel types and a feathery visitor!

14th November - Trying out some different fuel

7th November - Warming the house

31st October 2011 - Cosy living room

12th October 2011 - Where to keep all that wood...

19th September 2011 - The first lighting of the season!

REVIEW - Easy-Logs from The Briquette Company

2011-12-05T13:46:00.001Z

The Easy-Log briquettes come in a 10kg bag and we also received a bag of kindling. The advice for using this product is basically to use the same method for getting the fire going as for logs, although a little less kindling may be needed. The kindling provided was dry and a good size, and we found the Easy-Logs very easy to use. We popped them on the stove (filling it about a quarter full as recommended) once the kindling got going and they lit easily. You could see them expanding and we refrained from poking them as per the advice!

Read the full review here.

Make a Change

2011-12-05T13:42:00.001Z

Our Make a Change 2011 has once again been updated with an energy saving and ethical living tip. This month we suggest draught proofing your home (a great money saver) and doing something for your local community (great for the feel-good factor)!

This is the last month of Make a Change but we'll be publishing a list of the suggestions from the whole year so watch this space in January.

Green Product of the Month & Energy Watch

2011-12-05T13:27:00.001Z

It's the start of the month again so here's an update on our Green Product of the Month for December as well as our Energy Watch page for the month.

Our Green Product of the Month is Beaming Baby Biodegradable Nappies which we reviewed earlier this year.

Energy Watch this month offers some suggestions for green new year's resolutions.

Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

2011-11-21T20:01:00.001Z

This past week has seen some more experimentation with different fuel types. We've also put some more of our 'damp' logs on after moving them to a drier spot in the garage rather than on our front porch. It seems that perhaps they were seasoned after all but had simply got rather wet in the rain!

In terms of the alternative fuels, we firstly tried some compressed hardwood waste Eco Logs, which are about 20cm by 15cm in an oblong shape. These we used exactly as you would a piece of wood and they burned in a similar way. A good alternative to logs.

The next product we tried was called Blaze, a small briquette about the size of a large piece of coal. These are described as being very heat efficient but we were a little disappointed. They seemed to die down quite quickly and weren't quite as good as the Homefire briquettes we mentioned in our last post.

The only other incident of note this week was the appearance of a bird in the fire!! Fortunately the fire wasn't lit at the time and we managed to assist the little fellow in flying back outside. Hope that doesn't happen too often though!

All in all a good week and we've barely used the central heating this autumn yet. Admittedly it's been pretty mild, but there have definitely been evenings when we would have flicked it on had we not had the fire. (And if you're wondering, no, I havn't tried lighting the fire myself again yet! I must have another go before we get some really cold weather, though).

PREVIOUS DIARY ENTRIES

14th November - Trying out some different fuel

7th November - Warming the house

31st October 2011 - Cosy living room

12th October 2011 - Where to keep all that wood...

19th September 2011 - The first lighting of the season!

Google+

2011-11-16T19:55:00.001Z

If you havn't heard of Google+ yet you probably soon will! It's the latest in social networking from Google and businesses can now host pages as well as individuals. At UK Energy Saving we're already on board so you can come along and find out the latest news snippets and more...

Click here to visit our Google+ page

Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

2011-11-14T20:35:00.000Z

Here I am again with another installment about our new wood burning stove, or multi-fuel stove to be precise. Which brings me to one of the things I'll be writing about today. With what appears to be our damp wood problem (see previous posts), we decided to give some other types of fuel a try.

Firstly we tried out the Homefire Heat Logs (bought from B&Q). These are made from wood waste and are a cylindrical shape about 8cm diameter and 12cm in length. We have been putting these on once the kindling has got to the point of smouldering and they burn in a similar way to logs, although lasting longer. They are described as being better for your chimney and producing less ash as well as being environmentally friendly so appear to be a good alternative to wood.

The next product we tried was also called Homefire but was a product looking much like coal, although not quite as dusty (see picture above). This was a very different fuel, which we again used once the fire was smouldering. These don't produce a flame in the way wood does but certainly kick out heat. We only used a few but, whilst the stove itself didn't feel hot in the morning, you could still feel warmth coming from the remaining pieces of Homefire. We might experiment with this should we wish to keep the fire going overnight in the middle of winter as it's clearly a slow burning fuel.

More to come in future posts on our fuel experiments!

Also this week I decided to try lighting the fire myself for the first time! Having received some basic instructions from my husband I carefully laid the fire with paper and kindling and lit a match. So far so good. Unfortunately it all went down hill from there as I couldn't get the fire to properly take. I think I had the vents open correctly but in the end gave up until my husband got home! Hopefully I'll have better luck next time.

PREVIOUS DIARY ENTRIES

7th November - Warming the house
31st October 2011 - Cosy living room

12th October 2011 - Where to keep all that wood...

19th September 2011 - The first lighting of the season!

Make a Change

2011-11-14T14:24:00.001Z

If you havn't already visited our Make a Change page this month, check it out. During November we are looking at renewable energy and ethical finances.

12 Days of Christmas

2011-11-12T10:57:00.001Z

To follow on from Make a Change 2011 we have decided to launch the '12 Days of Christmas' campaign. From 25th December we will be publishing here on the UK Energy Saving Blog short, sharp energy saving tips right through until the 5th January. Read more in our press release at the links below and watch this space...

UK Energy Saving
PRLog
24-7 Press Release
SanePR

Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

2011-11-07T13:42:00.000Z

Another chilly evening, another cosy fire! We've actually had our wood burning stove (Morso Squirrel 1430) lit on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend, which has meant that we havn't needed to put the heating on to take the chill off the house. Result!

So what have we learnt this week? Well on Saturday we discovered that a close eye on the fire is needed when getting it going, as we suddenly realised it had gone out! Back to square one! We soon had a blaze roaring, though, and the lounge was quickly lovely and warm. On Sunday evening we lit the fire earlier so kept the door open leading to the stairs to allow a little warmth to drift upstairs before the children went to bed. It was of course still cooler upstairs, but we didn't have to put the central heating on - be interesting to see how this works as the temperatures really drop though.

We had a bit of damp wood again yesterday, but otherwise we are getting the hang of lighting the fire. Well my husband is, but I have been watching carefully for when I need to light it myself! There's an installment for another day!

We are slightly puzzled about the blackening of the glass window. It cleans off easily enough but should that happen? Any information or suggestions on that front very welcome!

Until the next time...

PREVIOUS DIARY ENTRIES

31st October 2011 - Cosy living room

12th October 2011 - Where to keep all that wood...

19th September 2011 - The first lighting of the season!

New Look Energy Saving Calculator

2011-11-02T13:33:00.002Z

If you havn't already seen our Energy Saving Calculator, now would be a great time to visit this section of our main website, as it has just been given a fresh new look. The Energy Saving Calculator offers at-a-glance information on the costs and savings involved with implementing energy saving measures in the home. Read our press release on the new look via one of the links below and visit the Energy Saving Calculator here.

UK Energy Saving
PRLog
Pressbox
PR-GB

Energy Watch

2011-10-31T20:33:00.003Z

If you've started thinking about Christmas you might like to read our energy watch page for November. We look at some suggestions for keeping it green this festive season.

Green Product of the Month

2011-10-31T20:25:00.006Z

If you like chocolate you may wish to check out our green product of the month for November, the delectable Booja Booja Organic Vegan Banoffee Toffee Chocolate Truffles! They'd make a great Christmas gift.

Diary of a Woodburning Stove!

2011-10-31T14:22:00.000Z

I'm not sure if the temperature has really dropped much, but returning home after a week away to a chilly-feeling house was the perfect reason to light the stove again! This time the smell of curing paint was much less noticeable than on previous occasions and we're also getting more proficient at lighting the fire. The newspaper and kindling worked a treat and we made sure not to use logs which were too big and which were thoroughly dried out this time! (Check out our previous post on the various 'holding stations' for our wood)!

With a fire going nicely, it wasn't long before we noticed the lovely warmth emanating from the stove (fire guard in place of course and no open windows this time thanks to the reduced smell)! As we had the stove lit during the day we were trying to keep the warmth in the downstairs rooms and this worked a treat, with a distinct rise in temperature apparent on coming back downstairs and into the lounge. When we keep the fire lit into the evening as the weather gets colder we intend to open the internal doors downstairs to allow some heat upstairs - more to come on how effective that is in due course!

So definitely our most successful wood burning stove experience to date! Onwards and upwards...

PREVIOUS DIARY ENTRIES
12th October 2011 - Where to keep all that wood...
19th September 2011 - The first lighting of the season!

UK Energy Saving Delighted at Wave of Positive News on Fairtrade

2011-10-21T14:13:00.004+01:00

October 2011 has seen positive news stories from theUK’s Fairtrade Foundation and UK Energy Saving, http://www.uk-energy-saving.com, arethrilled to hear of the continuing success of the Fairtrade Mark and theprogressive moves to further engage with producers....

Read the full press release via one of the links below.

UK Energy Saving

PRLog
Pressbox
PR-GB

How Can You Have a Green Halloween and Bonfire Night?

2011-10-17T20:00:00.002+01:00

Masses of party decorations, surplus pumpkinflesh, smoky fires and sugary treats don’t appear to add up to eco-friendly (orhealthy) events when it comes to Halloween and bonfire night, but there are waysto get involved with these traditions without too great an environmentalimpact....

Read the rest of this article by following the links below.

UK Energy Saving
Amazines

Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

2011-10-12T14:13:00.001+01:00

It's nearly a month since our last entry in the Diary of a Wood Burning Stove, but the mild start to the autumn has meant that we havn't needed to light the fire again yet! Good news really, but we are itching to give it another go!

In the meantime we have been getting everything prepared for the colder weather. During the summer my husband and dad built a simple wood store in our garden, providing shelter for logs but allowing air to circulate. It seems that wood needs at least a year, longer in some cases, to properly dry out and 'season' in order to get the best from it on the fire, so we started filling the store as soon as it was ready. We bought a load of wood from a local supplier to get us started and have then managed to collect some free wood from friends disposing of trees. It's certainly worthwhile looking out for opportunities to get free wood, as this will obviously keep costs down.

More recently we have bought a large basket/trunk (from the local recycling centre - a great find!) for our sheltered front door step where we'll keep some seasoned wood before bringing it into the house. Inside the house we then have a basket for an evening or two's worth of wood along with some kindling. So far, so organised!

Certainly a plus point of having the stove installed back in the spring has meant that we've been able to get organised with wood etc. in advance of using the stove this autumn and winter. Now we just have to make use of the stove as the weather gets cooler! Watch this space....

PREVIOUS DIARY ENTRIES
19th September 2011 - The first lighting of the season!

Are Free Solar Panel Schemes Too Good to be True?

2011-10-12T13:35:00.000+01:00

Read our new article on this subject at the links below.

UK Energy Saving
Amazines
Guide Me Green

Latest Issue of greenCHAT now Online

2011-10-06T13:54:00.003+01:00

Our online newsletter, greenCHAT has been updated with the latest issue. The headline topic this issue is wood-fuelled heating and there is also the usual information on updates to our website and links to other interesting sites.

REVIEW - Booja Booja Organic Vegan Banoffee Toffee Chocolate Truffles

2011-10-04T19:38:00.003+01:00

Normally being a milk chocolate fan I wondered what I would make of these chocolates, but I needn’t have worried! The subtle banoffee toffee flavour added sweetness to the rich chocolate without being sickly. The texture was also beautiful, with the powder-coated outer shell giving a gentle crunch through to the melt-in-your-mouth, creamy centre. These are certainly a treat to be savoured.

Read the full review here.

Energy Saving Events

2011-10-04T13:32:00.003+01:00

Our energy saving events page has been updated with a list of up and coming events for the autumn. From Energy Saving Week to The Big Green Home Show, there is something for everyone. Check the list out to see if something is happening near you and get in touch if you have a green event you would like us to consider adding to this page.

Make a Change in October

2011-10-03T20:25:00.000+01:00

Our latest Make a Change page suggests making your travel greener (think car sharing, walking and public transport) and shopping in local stores (think fresh produce and farmers' markets). Visit the page for more information and check back each month of 2011 for more suggestions.

Monthly updates at www.uk-energy-saving.com

2011-10-03T14:09:00.002+01:00

It's the beginning of the month so here we are again with our monthly updates.

If you like to read our product reviews, check out this month's green product of the month; 'Recycle: The Essential Guide'. A good read with loads of useful information on recycling.

Our Energy Watch page has also been updated for October with some tips for a green halloween and bonfire night.

Ecobubble Energy Saving Washing Machine

2011-09-27T18:49:00.003+01:00

Ecobubble Energy Saving Washing Machine

Energy prices are getting higher every day so never has itbeen more important to get the most out of your appliances; Not only for thebenefit of your bank account but also in the interest of doing your bit for theenvironment too.

Samsung’s ecobubble washing machine is far and away the best option on the market rightnow as it combines some truly remarkable technology with quality and longevitythat only a market-leader like Samsung can provide. Their revolutionary, yetelegantly simple, idea ensures that your washing gets going from the second youpush the button.

Other models on the market take time to get the water to theright temperature, or to get the detergent dissolved and activated properly,but not the ecobubble. Its ceramic heaters bring the water up to temp muchfaster, plus the water and detergent are mixed before they even get close to thedrum. The special ecobubble pump forces air into the solution giving you awonderfully bubbly outcome.

These bubbles allow your clothes to soak 40 times faster(that’s right, 40) and also mean your detergent can get to work instantly.Shaving minutes off your wash cycle is going to cut down on your consumptionand save you those extra pounds and pennies, so it’s crucial you save timewhere you can.

While speed is important you certainly don’t want tosacrifice wash performance, though don’t fret, the ecobubble is more thanprepared. A 15°C ecobubble wash gives you identical wash performance to astandard 40°C cycle in a conventional washing machine so even at lowtemperatures you’re getting impressive results. You can actually save up to 70%in energy costs every single time.

The Diamond Drum that Samsung have engineered is anotherbreakthrough that’s going to help keep your piggy bank full. The unique designof the recesses in the drum hold more water which gives your clothes some addedcushioning in the drum, and the holes inside are 75% smaller, giving yourclothes added protection from snags and bobbles.

All of these features are standard across the ecobubble range, however there’s one model in particular that standsout in a big way. The WF1124XAC is home to a gargantuan 12kg drum which willnot only provide the largest family with more than enough space, but it alsogives you the opportunity to combine some of your loads and reduce your weeklywashing quota entirely. That’ll be more savings courtesy of Samsung then.

Guest post

Buying energy efficient products - from the Energy Saving Trust

2011-09-27T13:50:00.000+01:00

Did you know that appliances and entertainment electricals (like your TV) use almost two thirds of the power in your home? At the Energy Saving Trust we don’t expect you to compromise your lifestyle in order to do your bit for the environment but there is something even the most ardent gadget lovers can do. The next time you are in the market for new electricals, buying energy efficient models will save you money on your bills without having to give up those home comforts.

Now you may be concerned that energy efficient products do not perform the same way as those you are used to, well The Energy Saving Trust Recommended scheme certifies only those products that are best in class for energy efficiency and performance so if you buy products bearing the Energy Saving Trust Recommended logo you can be sure you are buying a product that is top quality and will save you money on your bills. Lots of big name manufacturers have applied to us for independent certification of their products so you can still buy products from your favourite brands. Check out our online product search for a wide range of energy efficient products.

And it’s not just energy using products we certify, you can also see the label on insulation materials, heating controls and double glazing so using Energy Saving Trust Recommended products the next time your home is due a refurbishment will ensure your home is efficient to run without you having to lift a finger.

In order to use the Energy Saving Trust Recommended logo, products must meet a stringent set of criteria that we set along with an Independent Panel of experts. We review these criteria every year to ensure that the products we certify are always the most efficient on the market; in addition we independently test a percentage of all the products we certify to ensure they continue to meet the high standards we expect. We know that comparing the energy ratings of different products can be confusing and some products don’t have an energy rating at all, at the Energy Saving Trust we have done the hard work for you; all you need to do is look for the label when you are shopping.

For more information check out our website or contact us at estrmarketing@est.org.uk

Press Release - Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

2011-09-21T21:04:00.002+01:00

Check out our press release on the new series featured on this blog.

UK Energy Saving
PRLog
SanePR
PR-GB

Diary of a Wood Burning Stove!

2011-09-19T20:50:00.007+01:00

Earlier this year we decided to install a wood burning stove in our living room. After much deliberation we went for the Morso Squirrel 1430 (4.6kw) which is a perfect fit in the space left by our old, rarely used, coal-effect gas fire. It's also actually a multi-fuel stove, so we may experiment with other fuels as well as wood. Apparently it is also the right sort of size to heat our living room and adjoining dining room as well as the conservatory which runs the length of both rooms.

As the autumn sets in I have decided to record our experiences with the wood burning stove so read on to discover our trials and tribulations!

INAUGURAL LIGHTING

We had the stove installed back in April - a good time to get someone in fairly quickly, but not a good time to give it a try given the warm spring we had! We did decide it was cool enough one evening, however, mainly because we weren't patient enough to wait until the autumn to give it a go! Probably a good job we did, though, as the room promptly filled with foul-smelling smoke as the paint cured. As it wasn't really all that cold, it didn't then cause a problem to open all the windows to let out said smoke! Well, so far the stove had caused our home to be cooler than normal, but onwards and upwards!

FIRST SIGN OF AUTUMN

Come the 18th September and we decided to light the stove for the second time! There was a little chill in the air, but we were mainly persuaded that we should go ahead on the basis that we were going to be in all day with our half-naked toddler (on both counts because we are potty training)! Again, this actually turned out to be a good plan, as, whilst nowhere near as chokingly as the first time, once again there was something of a smell of curing paint and more open windows were required. This time, however, we were able to keep the fire in for a number of hours so we're hopeful that next time the smell won't be so bad!

Lighting the fire proved relatively straightforward with some newspaper and kindling, although we discovered that then plonking a great big log in seemed to kill the flames somewhat. Cue, more kindling and some smaller bits of wood and we were starting to get the hang of things. The importance of dry wood was highlighted, however, as the first pieces seemed a little damp and it was only some apparently dryer wood that really got a good blaze going.

All in all then, a pretty good start we felt. Hopefully the paint will just about have finished curing so we won't have to keep opening windows, and I'm sure practice makes perfect in terms of getting a blaze going.

Watch this space for more installments as we get to grips with this wood burning malarky...

Website to reduce CO2 emissions by carpooling now to be known by a new name

2011-09-14T13:08:00.006+01:00

A year after launch, rideshare.co.uk is being renamed as carpooling.co.uk – Following the successful expansion of carpooling.com (Europe’s largest ridesharing network) into the UK market, rideshare.co.uk is renamed as carpooling.co.uk.

To date, carpooling.com has saved approximately 630,000 tons of CO2 being created and 323 million liters of petrol through carpooling while helping users to reduce traffic levels by roughly 90,000 kms. Just over a year since launch as rideshare.co.uk, the UK part of the carpooling.com portal has seen registered users soar, although registration is not mandatory. Carpooling.com cites rises in petrol prices, public transport costs, the credit crunch and a heightened feeling of environmental responsibility as the catalyst for growing interest in the free money saving option which can reduce the cost of driving by up to 75%. carpooling.com, which has 3.3 million registered users, connects people in 5,000 cities across 45 countries and is available in 7 languages has facilitated over 24 million carpools being arranged since launch its launch in 2001. The growth in demand for cheaper alternative modes of transport and acceptance of the term carpooling has instigated the change in name from rideshare.co.uk to carpooling.co.uk.

Europe’s largest lift sharing platform, carpooling.com, puts emphasis on providing an easy to use platform to locate, communicate with, and ride with fellow travelers free of charge. Drivers and passengers simply agree the contribution to petrol prior to making the journey. Carpooling.com has been investing heavily in providing complete mobility and flexibility by launching a mobile website, apps for iphone and android phones, apps for facebook and widgets for websites to install tailored results of available carpools on their sites. Rideshare.co.uk was the first car sharing network to introduce an iphone app in the U.K. and carpooling.com have also introduced a new booking system and a number of security measures so users can customize their carpool to meet their preferred security requirements.

Rideshare.co.uk is re-launching as carpooling.co.uk on 15th September and continues to look for partners and companies interested in promoting carpooling as a cost effective and environmentally friendly mode of transport.

About carpooling.co.uk

carpooling.co.uk is part of the largest European online carpooling network, carpooling.com. Since its launch in April 2001 the portal has registered over 3.3 million users and is available in 9 countries and 7 languages with over 600,000 available lifts in their database at any one time. Using the slogan "Click. Ride. Save ", carpooling.co.uk provides a car share platform to users throughout Europe for regular or one off trips. Drivers register routes they are taking, the date, time and suggested price and co-riders search for a route that matches their needs. It is an opportunity to reduce congestion, contribute to saving the environment, save money and meet like minded people. The portal is available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Great Britain, Spain, Poland and Greece.

For more information contact: Abi Moore amoore@carpooling.com +44 (0) 203 2393022 Skype: carpooling.co.uk

UK Energy Saving Supports the Soil Association’s Organic September

2011-09-06T14:10:00.004+01:00

Check out our latest press release via one of the links below as we talk about our support for Organic September.

Make a Change in September

2011-09-05T13:03:00.001+01:00

We are now in the 9th month of our Make a Change campaign with two more suggestions of how you could start living a greener, more ethical life. This month we suggest buying organic and buying FSC certified products - visit the Make a Change page to find out more...

How to Save on Electricity Bills

2011-09-02T19:43:00.003+01:00

As the cost of energy rises, people are trying to find ways to save money with their gas and electricity bills, putting a few easy actions in place can help keep money in a person’s pocket. There are a few simple tricks that can help. To begin with shop around to ensure that you find the best electricity and rates.

Look for Leaks:
Take inventory around the house to make sure that cool air and warm are staying indoors and not seeping outside. To check this you can walk around the house with a lit match holding it near electric outlet plugs, windows and doors. If the smoke is pulled out or blown in, there are cracks and crevices that are letting energy out or air inside. Spend time sealing up any areas that have leaks to lower energy costs. Also keep curtains and blinds closed to hold air out of the room. This helps keep rooms cooler when it is warm outdoors and warmer in the colder weather.

Reduce Usage:
Don't not leave electrical devices in standby mode, instead unplug them from the source of electricity to save money. A television or computer that remains plugged in can waste electricity, almost as much as they do when they are being used. Replacing light bulbs from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs also helps to save on lighting costs.

Consider investing in efficient refrigerators, washing machines and tumble dryers. When possible hang clothing out to dry instead of using a tumble dryer. Turning the temperature down on a washing machine will reduce energy costs. Washing in cold water is the most energy efficient way to run the machine.

Don't over fill refrigerators so that the cold air circulates well and don't put hot food inside, let it cool to room temperature first so that it doesn't cause the refrigerator to work harder. Vacuum cleaning under the refrigerator or freezer and behind to keep the coils clear of dust will reduce energy consumption.

Shop Wisely:
Installing a smart meter can help save energy costs. A smart meter will take accurate readings of electricity use every half hour and gas usage daily. Being able to view electricity and gas usage often allows a person to make changes when needed to reduce costs. The readings are sent to the Electricity and Gas Company and this ensures accurate bills coming in every month. Looking into dual fuel instead of single energy tariffs could reduce costs dramatically.

Investigating all the solutions to reduce electricity and gas usage will benefit a person overall.
Putting a few small changes in place can make a big difference when it comes to getting the most out of energy consumption. Saving money is always a positive thing and knowing how to live comfortably without much sacrifice and still having money left over will make life better in the long-term for every consumer.

Company Profile:
First Utility is an energy company with a difference. We want to help you understand your energy usage, reduce your carbon footprint and ensure you receive accurate bills.

For more information about how to save energy and reduce your energy gas and electricity bills please visit www.first-utility.com.

Green Product of the Month

2011-09-01T21:04:00.002+01:00

Do you eat fish? Are you never sure whether the fish you buy is sustainable or not? Would you like an easy way to find out? Then check out our green product of the month for September. The Sustainable Fish Guide iPhone App will help you out!

Energy Watch

2011-09-01T14:11:00.003+01:00

If you are wondering how you can save energy and money this winter, check out this month's energy watch page for some helpful suggestions.

Interesting Power Consumption Stats...

2011-08-30T13:29:00.002+01:00

Source by Power SuperSite

Make a Change

2011-07-04T20:18:00.005+01:00

Make a Change 2011 is now in its seventh month, and this time we suggest considering renewable heat for your home and buying fish from a sustainable source. Have a read and feel free to comment here or via the Make a Change page.

greenCHAT - latest issue online now

2011-07-04T20:16:00.003+01:00

The latest issue of greenCHAT is now online and takes a look at the Renewable Heat Incentive. In addition, you can find out what's new at UK Energy Saving and check out links to some interesting websites. Read it here.

Green Product of the Month

2011-07-01T13:36:00.001+01:00

For July we are featuring the Roberts solarDAB Radio on our green product of the month page. You can read what we thought of the product in our review.

Energy Watch

2011-07-01T13:33:00.002+01:00

If you would like some water saving tips to help save water and money, check out this month's Energy Watch page.

Community RePaint

2011-06-21T13:48:00.002+01:00

What is Community RePaint?
Community RePaint Schemes collect unwanted, surplus paint and re-distribute it to individuals, families and communities in need, improving the wellbeing of people and the appearance of places across the UK. In doing so, the Community RePaint network provides social, environmental and economic benefits.

The concept of Community RePaint, to reuse surplus paint, started in 1992, and within the network, there are over 60 Community RePaint schemes throughout the UK. The network has been sponsored by Dulux since its inception, and is managed by Resource Futures, a non-profit distributing environmental consultancy.

How does a Community RePaint scheme operate?
Community Repaint schemes will collect unsold paint and mis-tints from DIY retailers and trade centres, and/or surplus, leftover and reusable paint from Household Waste Recycling Centres, as well as from painters and decorators and waste disposal companies. The paint is sorted and stored at a scheme’s premises and then made available, at a small cost, to a large variety of community groups, sports clubs, housing association tenants, charities, as well as individuals and families.
By operating in this way, Community RePaint schemes are enabling usable paint that can be reused, to be redistributed to, and benefit communities and families, instead of being disposed of.

What should I do if I would like to contact a Community RePaint scheme to obtain some paint?
Visit the Community RePaint website at: http://www.communityrepaint.org.uk and then click on ‘Do you need paint’. Insert your postcode into the relevant box and you will then be able to see where your nearest Community RePaint scheme is and how many miles away it is from your postcode.

What do I do if I have surplus paint?
Many households have surplus paint stored in their garages and garden sheds. If a household has no further use for their paint, it should be taken to their nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). To find out if there is a HWRC near to a Community Repaint scheme, visit http://www.communityrepaint.org.uk/, and click on ‘Do you have paint to donate’.

UK Energy Saving Comments on Recycling Bin Collections

2011-06-16T13:48:00.003+01:00

PRESS RELEASE

....Hayley Jones, Web Marketing Director of popular consumer website http://www.uk-energy-saving.com, gives their thoughts on the emotive subject of waste.

“We all know the maxim ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ but how much this is put into practice differs from household to household and from region to region. In reality it is something we all need to get to grips with, not least because landfill sites are filling up all too quickly. More and more local councils are offering a wide range of recycling opportunities but it is up to individuals and families to make the best use of these recycling schemes. Storing recyclables can be tricky if restricted space is an issue but there are many clever storage solutions available and there is often the option of taking some recyclables to a nearby recycling centre (frequently within walking distance) if waiting for a kerbside collection is not practical.”......

Read the full press release at one of the links below:

UK Energy Saving Comments on New Solar Feed-in Tariffs

2011-06-10T20:10:00.005+01:00

In response to the details released by the DECC earlier this week regarding the new tariffs for large scale solar installations and anaerobic digestion, we have released a press release with our comments. Read the press release via one of the links below.

REVIEW - The People & Planet Green League iPhone App

2011-06-10T19:53:00.001+01:00

The People & Planet Green League iPhone App provides details of the Green League 2011 which ranks UK universities on their environmental and ethical performance. The ranking system is a great way to see how universities are performing in areas such as environmental policy, ethical investment, carbon management, waste & recycling and water reduction, and the iPhone App gives you this information on the go. I am not sure how many people would need this in reality but it is a snappy little App as detailed below.

Read the full review here.

Make a Change in June

2011-06-09T20:54:00.002+01:00

Our Make a Change page has been updated for June with details of water saving devices for your toilets and recycling tips. Have a read and let us know what you think!

New Feed-in Tariffs For Large Solar Installations

2011-06-09T20:48:00.003+01:00

The Department for Energy & Climate Change has confirmed new tariffs for large-scale and stand-alone solar PV installations and anaerobic digestion installations. This should not affect domestic installations which will be below the 50kw threshold. More information can be found on the DECC website.

Green Product of the Month

2011-06-07T20:00:00.002+01:00

The Radiator Booster is the focus of our Green Product of the Month page for June. You can read our full review of the product in our reviews section.

Energy Watch - Fathers' Day

2011-06-07T19:56:00.002+01:00

Take a look at our June Energy Watch page for some green tips for Fathers' Day which is only a couple of weeks away!

Green Product Reviews

2011-05-24T13:26:00.005+01:00

We are always looking for green products to review, offering our visitors the chance to then find out more about these products before they buy. If you have any green products you'd like us to review, get in touch.

Green Product Reviews

Check out our press release on green products reviews at one of the links below -

UK Energy Saving

SanePR

PRlog

Take an Eco-Friendly Holiday

2011-05-19T18:31:00.002+01:00

We have written a new article on eco-friendly holidays which you may find interesting if you are thinking about plans for the summer. Read the article via one of the links below.

UK Energy Saving

Amazines

UK Energy Saving & Social Networking

2011-05-16T13:47:00.002+01:00

If you havn't already you should check out our page on Facebook. You'll find latest news from us and also loads of interesting goings on from organisations such as the Soil Association, WWF, Organix, the National Trust and more. If you like what you see, please 'like' us!

We are also on Twitter (@ukenergysaver), so if you that's your prefered way of keeping up with us do follow us!

Impacts of Electricity Generation in the UK

2011-05-06T13:07:00.002+01:00

The University of Manchester together with other research partners want to know what you think are the main issues and impacts, both positive and negative, of electricity generation in the UK. Do you have 10-15mins to help them? If Yes, click on the link below to complete a short questionnaire. You'll have the option of entering a prize draw with a chance to win a £50 Amazon Voucher.

The results will help shape a methodology to assess the sustainability of how the UK generates electricity.

http://www.springsustainability.org/springquest.php

Make a Change in May

2011-05-06T12:58:00.002+01:00

This month's Make a Change page tells readers about green electricity tariffs and starting a Fairtrade campaign with your school, workplace, community or church. Here's a snippet...

SWITCH YOUR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO A GREEN TARIFF
1. Many suppliers offer green tariffs allowing you to pick the best one for you
2. The supplier can provide details of how their tariffs work including how much of your energy is from renewable sources
3. Green tariffs aren’t necessarily more expensive – shop around for a good deal

APPROACH YOUR SCHOOL/CHURCH/COUNCIL/EMPLOYER ABOUT SUPPORTING FAIRTRADE
May 14th is World Fair Trade Day which is why we have decided to support Fairtrade as our ethical tip for the month. If you read our Make a Change page in March (which coincided with Fairtrade Fortnight) you will have seen our suggestion about buying a Fairtrade product, so this month we ask you to think about whether you could help an organisation or indeed your whole community support Fairtrade.

Energy Watch - Solar Power

2011-05-03T12:58:00.002+01:00

The focus of our Energy Watch page this month is solar power so visit the page for some more info on this topic.

Green Product of the Month

2011-05-03T12:44:00.003+01:00

Our Green Product of the Month for May is The Good Shopping Guide Ethical Shopping App for the iPhone. You can read our review of the product for more details.

Planning a Green Wedding

2011-05-03T12:35:00.002+01:00

Take a look at our new article entitled Planning a Green Wedding and containing some tips and suggestions for an eco-friendly wedding. Click on one of the links below to read the article:

UK Energy Saving
Amazines
Hub Pages

We are in a List of Top 50 Energy Saving Blogs!

2011-04-28T13:27:00.003+01:00

http://www.electriciantraining.net/ has recognised the UK Energy Saving Blog as being in the top 50 energy saving blogs! Thank you!

Best Energy Saving Blogs

electriciantraining.net

New Nest Scheme in Wales

2011-04-18T20:04:00.002+01:00

If you live in Wales and receive means tested benefits you may be eligible for energy saving measures to be implemented in your home through the new Nest scheme. We have got a new page on the scheme which provides more information and a link to the Nest website.

Advertise with UK Energy Saving

2011-04-06T14:22:00.003+01:00

UK Energy Saving has many advertising opportunities available at very reasonable rates. If you are a green/environmental company which would fit in with the topics covered on our site, visit our advertising page and get in touch with any questions.

Latest Issue of greenCHAT Now Online

2011-04-04T14:22:00.002+01:00

If you are interested in organic food, then take a look at the latest issue of our online newsletter, greenCHAT. In this issue we also ask whether your home needs a heating overhaul and provide you with the usual updates regarding www.uk-energy-saving.com.

New Energy Suppliers Information Including Green Tariff Details

2011-04-01T19:56:00.005+01:00

If you are interested in what green tariffs are available for energy you might be interested in our new energy suppliers section. We have new pages on all the main UK energy suppliers each containing brief company information, details of the company's fuel mix and info on their green tariffs. You can also read an overview on our green electricity page. You can then compare prices via our energy switch marketplace in conjunction with The Switching Helpline, who offer a free call-back service from one of their trained advisors. Hopefully all of this information combined with the marketplace will help you to make an informed choice when switching supplier. Read our press release on our new pages at one of the links below: UK Energy Saving PRLog 24-7 Press Release Pressbox

Green Product of the Month

2011-04-01T13:33:00.001+01:00

If you have a wood burner you might be interested in our Green Product of the Month for April which is the Paper Logmaker.

Energy Watch - Have a Green Easter

2011-04-01T13:27:00.002+01:00

Our Energy Watch page has been updated for April with a focus on having a green Easter. Have a read...

April Make a Change Page is Live

2011-04-01T13:07:00.001+01:00

Check out our Make a Change page which has been updated for April. This month we focus on growing organic vegetables in your garden and booking an eco summer holiday in the UK.

REVIEW - Beaming Baby Bio-Degradable Nappies

2011-03-30T20:07:00.003+01:00

We were sent two sizes of nappies, Maxi Plus and Junior, to try on my 35lb-ish baby. Firstly, the feel of the nappies was similar to other eco-friendly disposables I have used. They’re never quite as soft feeling as some of the major brands but baby doesn’t seem to discern the difference. They had the usual ‘frills’ around the legs to help contain leaks and good strong tabs for fastening. Overall I was happy with the nappy which fitted well. I tried both sizes, Maxi Plus being big enough but probably not for too much longer considering that they should go up to about 49lb, and Junior, which was on the big side but did the job. Read the full review here.