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Green & ethical MoneySaving

Archives for September 2013

Solar Panels - use a travel kettle to save money and CO2.
If you have solar panels, use a low wattage electric kettle. I have a 3.9 kW solar panel system. We boil quite a lot of tea, fruit tea and coffee. I bought a 1 kW Travel Kettle to replace my large 2 kW kettle. This means that, during the day, whenever the system is generating less than 2 kW (quite a lot of the time), I…
See your Neighbour's Energy Performance Certificate
If they have one yet that is. Search by postcode here Next door to me, a BTL landlord spent 6 months with major renovations making the most awful racket, and it seems he still didn't manage to install any additional insulation. Still 50mm in loft, no cavity wall fill.
To Solar, or not to Solar...
Hello All! Hoping someone can help. Me and my family have been looking in to getting solar panels. To save money and to help the environment. But we're stuck on what to do. We recently had a quote from 1st Energy based in Essex. Firstly, has anyone heard of them or what they're like etc? They check out on the government…
Superseal Magic Box -
Does anyone have any experience of Superseal (Glasgow based company) and their Magic Box. I was contact by telephone cold call, where it was claimed I could half my heating costs. I was sceptical but interested and two salesmen came round. Essentially the magic box sits next to the boiler and causes the hot water to travel…
ideal solar solutions quote
Ideal Solar Solutions QuoteMy parents have had a quote from the above company. If anyone could give some advice on prices or if they have heard of the company that would be great. They have been quoted £9000 for 16 black mono suntellite premium series panels, ZDNY-250C60 panels 250Wp, voltage 31.17v, 8.03a, 37.85v open…
Phone call about free Solar Panels
Just received a phone call from a company offering free solar panels. This would help reduce my monthly electricity bills plus I would get paid for surplus I gave to the national grid Sounds too good to be true. Is it. What are the pros and perhaps more pressing what are the pitfalls What are the questions that I should b…
Solar PV FIT, long absences will we benefit?
I am considering an install of a 4kw PV system with, conveniently, an estimate of 4000kw a year generation. We use about 1000kw per year but it is very sporadic as we are away about 6 times a year for a period of about 1 month each time. I understand the own use FIT is calculated at 50% so clearly we will lose about 25%…
Are Labour going to freeze FIT Payments?
With Labour's recent announcement that they are going to force the energy companies to freeze prices for 20 months if they win the next general election, will this mean that FIT payments, which are funded through our energy bills, will also be frozen?
Thinking of getting a slow cooker to compliment my PV system
As the title states really. I'm looking into buying a slow cooker to be used alongside my PV systems rather than use "the main oven" that eats electric like its going out of fashion. I've had a look already at some and it seems that the average power consumption is between 150-300Wh which alongside my baseload is quite…
PV Solar panels, what is your experience?
My family are debating putting in panels, but we want to hear someone's personal experience. There's a certain 'disgusted of Tonbridge Wells' mentality where a real life case is better than red tape. I'd like to hear from someone what happened to their money when they put them in 3+ years ago. We have a 5 bedroom detached…
is it legal to self install solar to run the meter backwards
Hello, Really interested in solar although doing my sums and being a low user I wouldn't really gain that much from it but I would like to have some. Looking at kit like this 680w for about a grand: http://www.mysolarshop.co.uk/bill-buster-one-p-472.html Is it legal if I install it myself to have my meter run backwards?…
web site showing real time solar output wanted
I used to have a web site that you could click on different builds around the UK and it would bring up a dashboard showing real time output as well as other info like year to date etc but due to pc change over etc I seem to have lost it. If you know of a site or even better the one I'm talking about then please post the…
Hot water tank insulation
Advice appreciated - how far can one go with insulating hot water tank and pipes in the airing cupboard? The cupboard is directly underneath the (insulated) cold tank in the roof space (we have a bungalow) and the small bit of loft floor above the cupboard is left free of roof insulation in order that warmth from the…
Intelligent Switch choice ?
Sorry if asked countless times before - haven't read all the threads yet ! I am thinking about a proportional power diverter to put excess generation into the DHW cylinder immersion heater. Quite happy to / prefer to instal it myself, and have seen what looks to be a good unit from "Intelligent Immersion" based in…
Johnsons Baby Wipes Packaging....recycling on wipeoutwaste.co.uk
Hi I've read in several places that Johnsons Baby Wipes packets can be recycled on the website https://www.wipeoutwaste.co.uk. In theory, you sign up on the site and are sent prepaid labels to send the empty packets to them for recycling/upcycling as well as 2p being donated to charity. However, whenever I enter that…
Have Solar Feed in Tariffs run their course?
Given that solar PV prices have practically halved in price since FITS were first introduced, have FITS served their purpose and should they now be withdrawn? Have panels reached the sort of price where they now have a reasonable payback period, without government assistance? I'm wondering because I was considering going…
Does anyone make their own green cleaning products?
Does anyone here do this and could you recommend a book? I use water and tea tree or lavender oil in a ter spray to clean units but I am looking for alternatives to bleach, cream cleanser and something that would get rid of the lime scale in our toilets ( we live in a very hardwater area). Many thanks Clare
Recycling from council recycling yards
Recently i started a major hobby project that made me think about recycled materials. Seeing how quite a lot of good things are thrown out and carted off to local council recycling yards i'd like to go forage for what i need. Is it possible to do without greasing a person that overlooks operation of the yard ? What are the…
Bought a house with unregistered solar panels - advice please?
Re: Solar panels on a new build house - When I contacted the electricity supplier Eon to register for the FIT, was told an MSC certificate is needed, plus the info on the type of solar panels. Was then told by Eon they had no record of the solar panels being registered. The house was purchased a year ago as a shared…
Double glazing upvc rough cost?
Hi my friend is asking me to get quotes from online, but seems he will need to call some window companies like anglia and everest up. Just wanted to find out if someone has had double glazing upvc windows done in there house (all windows) to a 3 bedroom terraced house does anyone know the rough cost?

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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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