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YouGen Blog
Air Source Heat Pump: Is it right for your home?
Posted by Faisal Hussain (HIES Scheme) on 24 January 2018 at 9:30 am
Much of the UK has been feeling the cold during these past few months which means many of us are now leaving our heating on for longer periods of time, which of course is going to hit our pockets. So, the question is how can we keep our homes warm without significantly increasing our energy bills…
Meet the solar project powering the local community in more ways than one
Posted by Alison Vickers on 17 January 2018 at 10:16 am
Here at YouGen we love to hear about your inspiring success stories when it comes to setting up grassroots energy projects within local communities. We would take this opportunity to tell you the story of a community energy project in Buckinghamshire coordinated by our parent charity, The Nationa…
Five green New Year's Resolutions to kick start 2018
Posted by Sam Tonge on 10 January 2018 at 10:20 am
A New Year represents a fresh start for many, with our desire for self-improvement often characterised through the New Year’s Resolutions we set ourselves. Figures suggest roughly 50% of us set these resolutions each January, with the three most common goals typically being to exercise more…
Marks & Spencer Energy Fund powers communities in more ways than one in 2017
Posted by Sam Tonge on 3 January 2018 at 9:16 am
2017 was another outstanding year for community schemes that have benefited from the Marks and Spencer Energy Fund. Last year the fund allocated £300,000 worth of grant money to local energy projects across the UK. With over 130,000 votes taking place, the winners last year included com…
5 green energy milestones reached in 2017
Posted by Sam Tonge on 28 December 2017 at 9:30 am
As this year draws to a close, we can safely say that it’s been a year of highs and lows in terms of our steps towards shaping a clean energy future. It goes without saying that using our resources sustainably and reducing our carbon footprint are ever more pressing issues. However it seems…
Which type of Christmas tree is best for the environment?
Posted by Sam Tonge on 18 December 2017 at 9:30 am
The YouGen Team are getting into the festive spirit here at the National Energy Foundation as we count down the days until we can put our feet up (and recharge our own personal energy levels) over the holiday period! In the seasonal tradition of giving and receiving, we would like to share with y…
5 questions you must ask before installing a ground source heat pump
Posted by Sam Tonge on 14 December 2017 at 4:15 pm
Following the recent waves of snow and ice seen across much of the UK, you might consider the ground as a rather cold surface emitting no warmth whatsoever! In contrast, the ground actually provides a naturally-occurring source of heat which can be used to provide central heating and hot water fo…
10 popular ways to save energy - truth or myth?
Posted by Sam Tonge on 6 December 2017 at 9:20 am
Here are 10 popular tips to save energy - or perhaps they're urban energy myths and misleading advice that could end up costing the earth! How good is your knowledge? 1. It uses less energy if you leave fluorescent lights switched on. Myth or Truth? MYTH. This one has been around almo…
Wood fuel in your home: 10 need-to-knows
Posted by Sandra Hayes on 29 November 2017 at 9:15 am
1. Fuel quality matters To produce a clean, safe and efficient burn, quality of the wood is key. This is determined by size, moisture content, tree species and presence of any contaminants. Installing and maintaining a solid fuel appliance such as a wood stove is a big step so it only m…
London buses will soon be powered by coffee
Posted by Sam Tonge on 22 November 2017 at 4:50 pm
Turns out that it’s not just electric vehicles making the headlines this year, as Transport for London (TFL) announces a biofuel extracted from waste coffee grounds will be used to power some of the city’s buses from next Monday. The tech firm Bio-bean has so far produced enough f…
New attitudes survey shows international support for renewables
Posted by Sam Tonge on 15 November 2017 at 2:10 pm
Results from a pioneering international survey known as the Green Energy Barometer, show us that the vast majority of the public in countries sampled support a worldwide transition from fossil fuels to green energy. The largest ever survey undertaken to gauge attitudes towards sustainable energy …
Can I make a claim for problems with my cavity wall insulation?
Posted by Jordan Willis on 8 November 2017 at 10:20 am
An article in The Telegraph on the topic of claiming on faulty cavity wall insulation (CWI) described the issue as a scandal that could “rival PPI”. Though we certainly haven’t had our televisions and radios bleat on about no-win-no-fee cavity wall insulation claims over the pas…
Getting the most out of a wood-burning stove.
Posted by Andrew McGowan on 31 October 2017 at 9:20 am
Andrew McGowan has 15 years of wood-burning experience and experimentation with Morso and Stovax stoves. As our guest blogger this week, Andrew shares with us his tips on efficient wood burning techniques in the home. Use well-seasoned (dry) wood with mo…
Five tips for finding a reputable installer
Posted by Sam Tonge on 25 October 2017 at 10:27 am
So you have decided you would like to improve your home, or perhaps even install some renewable technology. However, you have come to realise the job is a little too big to get away with just some simple DIY. Choosing a reliable and good quality installer can be difficult, and there are definitel…
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full electric car - which one is for me?
Posted by Sam Tonge on 18 October 2017 at 9:45 am
There’s been a lot of talk about electric vehicles in the media recently, following policy announcements here in the UK (and further field) to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040 (2032 for Scotland). It seems that many big players in the automobile industry are happy to get on board …
Are payments for domestic microgeneration liable to income tax?
Posted by Sam Tonge on 11 October 2017 at 10:30 am
Here at YouGen we have been asked a few times recently whether you have to pay tax on the money you receive from generating renewable energy in the form of electricity and heat. The simple answer for domestic micro generators is ‘no’, as such schemes are designed to make such payments…
What next for the Green Deal?
Posted by Marcus Franck on 4 October 2017 at 10:03 am
As many readers will already know, The Green Deal was the UK’s flag-bearing green finance scheme, designed to assist British homeowners in improving energy efficiency and switching to greener energy technologies. It mitigated the need to pay large sums in advance, allowing people to receive…
A green home is a healthy home - the health benefits of insulation
Posted by Jordan Willis on 28 September 2017 at 3:53 pm
We all know that properly insulating your house is an environmentally friendly decision. Insulating a home cuts down on lost heat, keeping your house warmer with less energy, cutting both carbon and costs. However, insulating a house is not only a cost-cutting measure, a spate of recent studies h…
How to ensure your renewable energy installation is done safely - Competent Persons Schemes and Building Regulations
Posted by Jordan Willis on 26 September 2017 at 5:01 pm
As with any change to your home, you want to ensure the installation of solar panels is an easy process that is carried out safely and securely. While there are measures and regulations in place to make sure that these installations are done safely and by qualified personnel, often prospective bu…
Is now the time to switch to an electric vehicle?
Posted by Sam Tonge on 21 September 2017 at 9:40 am
Recent announcements by car manufacturers and governments have arguably signalled an impending transformation in the way we will all move about in future. A shift from the polluting internal combustion engine towards greener forms of transport is arguably the biggest adjustment to our travel habi…
