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Green & ethical MoneySaving

How do you live life the MoneySaving way, but protect our planet too? Sometimes going cheap can hurt the environment.

TV Programme - Unreported World .....Lithium and Cobalt mining...
After watching these programmes and seeing the destruction caused to the Congo and other 3rd world countries it's making me have second thoughts about buying an electric car.... the negative effect in extracting it is raping their landscape and having a big impact on their food supply, health, and quality of life, i was…
New solar panel installation
Just had seven panels with a Solis inverter installed, through a government scheme. We currently have the old style electric and gas meters. After several missed appointments for the installation of smart meters, finally BG decided that the gas meter was partially subterranean, so couldn't be replaced with a smart meter.…
Solar Panels - Help needed re Decommissioning, Removing, Recycling
Hi, previously posted this in the Energy Forum, but it was suggested it may find a better home here... We are buying a two storey house that has a 16 panel 4KW solar pv installed on the (slate tiled) roof. We need to remove this (long story - but it has to be done and can't be relocated etc) and wondered how to go about…
Solar Quotes for the North West
I'm trying to get some quotes together, the only installer that has got back to me so far has quoted £5847 for 12x355w panels which is £1.37/w, I tried Red Electrical as someone else mentioned them in the other quotes thread but they got back to me to say they're only carrying out local work at the moment :( Are there any…
Oven preheat - solar?
Has anyone measured oven electricity usage during warm up and maintaing temperature or run the numbers on this? Wondering if it's worthwhile preheating oven before the sun goes down. Any heating losses in winter presumably count to house heating so fairly energy neutral, but maybe not cost neutral compared to gas/ASHP.…
National Grid WhenToPlugIn app
Quite an interesting idea, uses the carbon intensity forecast so you know when best to plugin when energy is most green. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nationalgridgb.rn https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/whentoplugin/id1576815985
Using Immersion heater on night rate instead of gas?
Hi Green Team! My gas price just dropped on to variable rate and with no prospects of things getting cheaper any time soon i was wondering.... I am on octopus Go where electricity is 5p for a period at night...Would it be cheaper / the same price to heat my hot water during this period using the immersion heater in my hot…
Solar PV quotes East Midlands
This is my first venture into solar so forgive any ignorance. I have researched as much as I think I can. And it seems that £1 per kw is what I should be trying to get, but non of my quotes are near. Background....south west facing bungalow, clear roof, small amount of shading first thing in the morning and last half hour…
Alternative to kettle for solar panels
I have been considering one of these as an alternative to a kettle. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017WIFFQ6/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_J9PZRAD75K51HSCSH7AM It is 600w when heating water from cold which would generally be met from the output from the solar panels, if it was filled during the day. Once up to temperature the…
Solar panel quotations - how do they compare?
Hi everyone. I'm looking to install solar panels and have been asking companies for quotations. I thought I'd share them here for comparison (and advice / experience). My house is SSW facing in the east of England (using the 'NUTS1' categories) and gets full sun with no shading. Roof is 45 degree pitch. It's a 4 bed…
How to deal with cold bedroom above garage
Hi. I have a large bedroom above a double garage which is approx 22m2 and hence large. The double garage has recently been upgraded to a sectional insulated door. There is a single radiator 175 x45cm situated below the window( in my opinion is woefully small for size of the room). The room is colder then the rest of the…
Washing machine microplastic filters
Just seen there is going to be a debate in Parliament about making these mandatory in washing machines. I wondered if anyone on here has fitted one retrospectively? I found one looking on google but it was about £50 and made of plastic :) so wasnt sure if anyone had used that one or any others?
New Install
Hello, Next week we will be (hopefully) having our solar system installed, after many years of deliberation, after which I hope to be able to contribute to the : Renewables: "talking 'bout my generation" thread. Based in Sunny/misty/foggy/Soggy Sussex (take your pick!) Our install will consist of:11 x JASolar 380w panels…
Solar panels - how much electricity are your panels actually generating?
Hi. I'm thinking about installing solar panels and have seen lots of claims about how much they will generate and the pay back times. What I would like to know is the actual real life experience of people who have solar panels (with or without batteries) to see how much electricity they are actually generating. Thanks!
LUX AC + (AEBOET 2.4KWh Batteries vs PylonTech)
Hi About to install a LUX system. However, been told by the supplier that aeboet batteries have better temperature performance and each bank can be individually monitored ./ FW updated. Would like to hear from folks who have installed the aeboet and their views on it. Regards
Current Agile prices
Was looking forward to some nice cheap leccy this weekend as we've had gale force winds across much of Scotland the past 24 hours and forecast for the same over the next couple of days yet Agile prices for the next 24 hours are barely below 7p at any point. What the #%*# !!?? We're currently averaging 7p a unit so far this…
In-roof PV installation - just starting out.
We are starting to look at PV for our 1850s cottage. It has a 55 sq m south-facing roof (not sure if that is big enough??). We like the idea of in-roof PV panels, for the aesthetics. Are there any gotchas we should be aware of? What are the recommended makes, and indeed which should we avoid? All advice and input welcome.…
Help with monitoring grid usage
Since having solar comissioned, my CT clamp on my meter is reporting strange values which don't appear to add up, when solar is generating it looks like the CT clamp is reading whats being added back into the grid, the values are positive regardless of the direction the power is flowing. I have data which gives me the…
E.ON solar panels -
Anyone had them installed? How did it go ? How long is the quote good for?
Hybrid boiler v combi boiler
I previously posted re changing my boiler for the most energy efficient / cost effective alternative and came to the conclusion that a highly efficient gas combi boiler would be the best solution right now. I have just been reading about hybrid boilers eg by Vaillant. Does anyone have any experience of these? Are they…

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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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