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Green & ethical MoneySaving

Archives for December 2011

What is the 4kW limit for FIT?
Is it the inverter? I came to wondering, after noticing on a local PV installations instantaneous generation graph how little time it's close to its maximum. * orig new ideal % 1 1911 1911 1911 1001.2 1911 2285 2293 991.4 1911 2628 2675 981.6 1911 2932 3057 951.8 1911 3200 3440 93 2 1911 3441 3822 90 3 1911 4399 5733 76 4…
quoted SAP figure
i have just recieved a letter from my SOLAR PV, supplier/installer stating that their SAP estimation has been adjusted down from 2410.56 to 1261.44 almost exactly HALF their original estimate, given to me on 24th January 2011. how can this be? the letter looks like it is a standard template with the date, name and SAP…
Marks and Spencers - Be Ashamed - Outrageous over packaging
My OH very kindly put a box of Marks and Spencers chocolate buttons in my christmas stocking. Inside the cardboard box, each button (about an inch in diameter) is individually plastic wrapped. I've seen some over packaging in my time, but that really took the biscuit. Blimey I thought the big multinationals were getting…
We all dislike Payday loan companies, why not beat them at their own game?
No one likes pay day loan companies but I would be surprised if they spontaneously disappeared from our high streets. What if we beat them at their own game? What would it take to set up an ethical pay day loans company that would advise customers how to cope without pay day loans? How difficult would it be to run a pay…
Looking for Eco Friendly products
Hi, My New Years resolution will be to live more sustainably in terms how wasteful I am and the impact I, and the products I buy and use have on the environment. With this I mean literally any aspect of my life, from the food I eat, the the clothes and gifts I buy, the transport I use... literally everything. So, I'm…
Renewable requirements for new build
Morning, does anyone know that the renewable energy requirements are for new build? Must they have some type of solar generation? I guess the insulation will have to be very high.... Thanks
MSE News: Legal battle launched over solar subsidy cuts
This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story: "Legal battle launched over solar subsidy cuts ..." Read the full story: Legal battle launched over solar subsidy cuts
Solar Subsidy Cut Challenge Allowed
A High Court judge has ordered a hearing next week of a challenge over government plans to cut financial incentives for solar electricity. Mr Justice Mitting, sitting in London, said the proposals had given rise to "economic risk" for those engaged in the solar industry. He said the application for judicial review against…
Solar thermal & Heat pumps
After sales man visit today, came through cold call Advised government would pay from October 2012 18p KWH solar thermal for 20 years 6p KWH Air source heat pump for 20 years With a 16 to 20 tube solar thermal system and 250litre tank costing £6,000 Meter would be fitted and I would earn about £400 a year by submitting…
Cavity Wall and Roof Insulation
Hello everyone Does anyone know of any grants available to help small business with cavity wall insulation and roof insulation. I have been trawling the net and all the companies I have spoken to (even though they advertise this) say there is no grants. Can anyone help ? Regards Andi
How much does an electric towel rail cost to use ?
I need a new towel rail and because I need a large one, it seems I cannot get a 50w or similar dry one and need to get a glycerine filled one at about 500/600w. Now I know it isn't drawing 600w 24/7/365 but I don't see a way to compare it to the 50w model, which even if it did draw full power 24/7 would only use just over…
The only way is shale gas - ditch nuclear
Great video about shale gas on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jis-K8wmwhs&feature=player_embedded Great report about the stealth methods used to subsidise nuclear: http://www.mng.org.uk/gh/private/nuclear_subsidies1.pdf "Several of these subsidies are so large that withdrawal of just one of them would make nuclear…
cavity walls
Hi We bought a 1930's terrace in August and moved in with British gas standard being the utility provider. We spent about 6 weeks switching to edf on their fixed tarrif. Whilst with British Gas we booked in for their cavity wall and loft insultation survey. We have a flat roof kitchen extention on the back of the house.…
Solar PV prices falling
as predicted by many the cut in FIT is bringing the cost of systems down. My installer have a 30% off promotion already. This looks like a genuine discount as I have a 3.9 kWp system that did cost about £12500. http://www.finesse-energy.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=1&Itemid=68
GU10 LED Bulbs
Afternoon, I have the following NON LED GU10 Bulbs around the home hallway 8 * non dimable Bathroom1 4 * non dimable Bathroom2 4 * non dimable Kitchen 8 dimable I am looking at replacing these with GU10 LED "warm" feel lamps Here are the questions: 1) are the Warm Led's as nice a feel as the regular GU10's 2) can i get…
Is the Government being honest about the cost of energy?
Households taxed £260 a year for Nuclear Energy but less than £2 for Solar PV. Read the source by clicking here So who do we believe? I've often been told that nuclear clean up and waste management costs are often exlcuded from Nuclear costs, so where can we (the common taxpayer) find a definitive answer? Currently nuclear…
I bought some LED bulbs
I thought I'd share my discoveries as LED bulbs are still something of a novelty and not many people have seen one in person to decide if they like them or not. I bought a box of the Philips Master 12w, which are designed to replaced 60w filament bulbs and details about them can be seen better on their site:…
New type of solar panels invented?
I have just had a phone call from company wanting me to buy solar panels to cut my electricity bill in more than half. I was asked how much electricity I used in a day and I said 12 kWh. He said that if I fitted solar panels on my roof they would generate at least 8 kWh of electricity in a day. I said but my roof doesn't…
Which Index for FIT payments
Fit payments are indexed linked but Which index CPI or RPI Best Regards Casper Sorry if this has been asked before
Log fire and back boiler
Hi, we are thinking of changing our log fire to a log fire with a back boiler to do our radiators sometime next year. We have a Hunter Herald fire which i love, can anyone give me some recommendations on some fires or makes etc Trying to gather as much info as i can so i can find out prices etc. Thanks

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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