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YouGen Blog
15,000 previously unknown EVs and solar panels identified on WPD network
Posted by Anna Carlini on 29 March 2019 at 5:04 pm
Results have been published from an innovative project revealing a large number of previously unknown low-carbon technologies in Wales, the South West and the Midlands. Western Power Distribution (WPD), the company responsible for electricity distribution in these regions, funded the project to i…
Advice on switching energy suppliers (part 2)
Posted by Caitlin Latimer on 22 March 2019 at 2:11 pm
Following on from the previous blog, this week will explain some of the more common problems of switching suppliers. Handover reading One of the more common problems with switching energy suppliers is when the incorrect handover (or opening) reading is used. When you switch suppliers …
Advice on switching energy suppliers: an insider’s scoop
Posted by Caitlin Latimer on 15 March 2019 at 10:29 am
As someone who used to work for a small start-up energy supplier, I learnt a lot of switching tips on the job. This blog is based on my knowledge and experience of the industry. Whether you want to switch energy supplier to save money, be on a renewable tariff or to experience better customer…
Sustainable motorways – giving something back
Posted by Giles Kirkland on 8 March 2019 at 1:53 pm
Motorways and Sustainability Sustainable Motorways could sound like an oxymoron in the broader sense due to material requirements and their effects on both natural and human environments, all as a result of developing their infrastructure and the subsequent running of vehicles on them. Having…
How to care for your phone and laptop battery
Posted by Alina Kuzmich on 28 February 2019 at 4:07 pm
The current battery technology used in consumer electronics these days are batteries based on lithium architecture. You can find them listed under the names of lithium-ion battery, lithium battery or LIB for short. A battery works by the principles of electrochemistry, which means that the ba…
Is switching still worth it?
Posted by Anna Carlini on 22 February 2019 at 5:16 pm
When the price cap was first introduced, we received a few messages asking whether switching was still worth it. Then when the price cap was raised, we took a look at the market and asked ourselves whether it truly was. The last few months have been a turbulent time for energy companies with head…
Insuring my Electric Car
Posted by Tim Tucker on 8 February 2019 at 3:06 pm
If you have a south-facing house with solar PV on the roof, and batteries to absorb the excess electricity, an electric car is the obvious choice when your old petrol car becomes expensive to run. Driving the electric car is a real pleasure, though the silence takes some getting used to. You beco…
Smart switching: will it transform the way we hunt for cheaper energy bills?
Posted by Anna Carlini on 30 January 2019 at 11:43 am
Switching energy providers We all know that switching can save us money, but it can also be such a hassle to do. Many of us simply do not have the time to wade through comparison websites or wait on the phone with providers for a quote. For others it can be an overwhelming or confusing experi…
The best 5 ways of saving energy whilst driving
Posted by Giles Kirkland on 23 January 2019 at 10:41 am
Constantly rising fuel costs along with the scarcity of resources and people’s increasing environmental awareness make the concerns for fuel efficiency greater than ever before. More and more people have started minding their ecological footprint and recognising the need for a change in the…
The cheaper more sustainable home of the future - decentralised generation.
Posted by John Thompson on 16 January 2019 at 1:41 pm
Your future home could be 50% cheaper to run and 100% more sustainable thanks to a clever mix of solar, home batteries and software that will allow these systems to integrate seamlessly into your life. The basic technologies, solar and battery-storage, are nothing new, but thanks to economies…
Artificial & Alternative Trees Guide
Posted by Louise Hyde on 21 December 2018 at 5:01 pm
If a natural tree is not for you, you could consider an artificial tree or an alternative tree. This post provides some suggested considerations and alternative ideas. 1) The Artificial Tree Considered Benefits The artificial tree has benefits that some households wi…
The Real Christmas Tree Guide
Posted by Louise Hyde on 19 December 2018 at 10:21 am
Following last year’s blog post on the sustainability of Christmas trees, we wanted to provide more guidance on how to be mindful of the resources used to bring a tree to your home. There is much to consider along the supply chain of a christmas tree, from the resources used to grow it, emi…
Scotland eclipses rest of UK in green energy transition
Posted by Alison Vickers on 12 December 2018 at 4:34 pm
Previously we highlighted how Scotland created 68% of its electricity via renewable energy in 2017, making it a world leader in sourcing electricity from renewables. This figure was an increase of 26% on the year before. With many projects still awaiting completion, we argued then that it’s…
Solar panel Feed-in Tariff deadline looms
Posted by Duncan McCombie on 5 December 2018 at 5:15 pm
Homeowners considering switching to solar panel systems should do it now before a cut-off point next year that could strip the opportunity for large financial incentives. For a long time, the solar technology available to the public for turning sunlight into electricity was beyond the financ…
Four Ways Our Energy System is Changing for the Better
Posted by Heleana Neil - Innovate UK on 29 November 2018 at 9:05 am
Constantly evolving technology will change our lives for the better. It’s time to take a glimpse into the future. More specifically, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the energy system of tomorrow. Large, inefficient power stations will make way for smaller, local plants –…
What can we learn from Costa Rica?
Posted by Alison Vickers on 21 November 2018 at 9:01 am
The Central American nation has an impressive track record in green electricity generation and is seen by many as a world leader in terms of its environmental reputation. Indeed, Costa Rica is in many ways an exemplar in the green energy transition. Although it is uniquely placed to take advantag…
How will the grid cope with the addition of electric vehicles?
Posted by John Thompson on 14 November 2018 at 8:09 am
The future of cars is electric. Globally, governments are laying out plans to end the sale of petrol and diesel powered cars, while falling battery prices will contribute towards making electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable and more profitable. With a range of technology on …
Withdrawing RHI for urban biomass - what you need to know
Posted by Sam Tonge on 1 November 2018 at 9:55 am
What’s happening? Last month, The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) launched a consultation which wants your views on whether the Renewable Heat Incentive should be paid for new biomass installations in urban areas. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a UK …
Five tips before you buy loft insulation
Posted by Dave Raval on 24 October 2018 at 9:13 am
It's easy to forget about your loft when you're looking at your home's energy efficiency. But the Energy Saving Trust point out that a quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home. With low levels not keeping enough heat in, it can have a serious impact. But th…
A point of view: The problem with EPCs
Posted by Tim Tucker on 17 October 2018 at 10:13 am
If you want to update an out of date or expired Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), you may be in for a nasty surprise. You may get a worse one, even if you have added numerous improvements to your house. Five years ago, our children told us to downsize. So we did. We bought a 5 year old so…
