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Green Energy in the UK 2022

ByNicola Welch July 29, 2022

The UK has long been a leader in renewable energy, and the Government is firmly committed to ensuring that this continues well into the future. In April 2021, the UK government created a new law, setting a target to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. This is part of a larger aim for the UK to be carbon neutral by 2050. This is great news for the environment and for the economy, as investment in renewable energy creates jobs and drives growth. Green energy is becoming more and more popular in the UK. This is due to a number of factors, including the high cost of traditional forms of energy and the environmental benefits of green energy. The UK government has been working hard to promote green energy, and there are a number of financial incentives available for those who switch to green energy. The United Kingdom is a global leader in renewable energy. In 2015, renewables accounted for almost a third of the UK’s electricity generation, up from just 10 percent in 2005. Renewables are becoming an increasingly important part of the UK’s energy mix as the country seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and meet its emissions reduction targets. Most of the UK’s renewable energy comes from solar, biomass, and wind power. Solar energy accounts for the majority of renewables capacity installed in the UK, followed by biomass and wind power. Solar photovoltaics (PV) have seen the biggest growth in recent years, with installed capacity more than doubling between 2014 and 2016. Biomass is also a growing source of renewable energy in the UK, with over 1 gigawatt (GW) of installed capacity as of 2016. The UK is fortunate to have a wealth of green energy sources which helps to make […]

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Where Can I Donate and Recycle Bras?

ByNicola Welch March 16, 2018

Did you know that clothing contributes most to household waste? A recent study shows that each person throws away around 30kg of clothes every year. Considering the vast amount of textiles thrown in the landfills, we can see how much this contributes to pollution. With this in mind, the textile industry has become the largest producer of greenhouse gasses. We can help make the world sustainable by recycling or donating our old clothing to be reused. Bras are one of the most worn items by women. It’s also one of the most items that are thrown regularly. Researchers have found out some interesting statistics about bras: • On average, a British woman has nine bras, and only about a third of them are worn regularly. • People all over the world spend about £16 billion every year buying bras. Considering the statistics above, did you know that thousands of women who live in developing countries cannot afford a new bra. To help women in these countries, western countries like the UK and the USA have organised charities to help tackle this global problem. Today, these charities are supplying bras for those who cannot afford this type of necessity. If you would like to help out and be a part of this, below are a list of charities and organisations where you can donate your bras. Your Smalls Appeal Your Smalls Appeal is a UK charity that focuses on empowering girls in Gambia. They help girls and women by providing education and supplying donated menstrual kits and bras. Your Smalls Appeal believes that bras are essential for the healthy development of young girls. The Bra Recyclers The Bra Recyclers are an Arizona-based company that takes on bra and donations and supplies them to women who have escaped domestic violence, human trafficking, […]

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Kitchen Design Trend: Stainless Steel Cabinets

ByNicola Welch February 19, 2018

The kitchen is one of the central attractions of a house. When we think of remodelling our house, we think about kitchen first. When we think of moving to a new house, we tend to have a look at the kitchen first. The kitchen is the place where you spend some personal time cooking food for yourself and your family. You also entertain guests sometime in your kitchen if it’s large enough. A modern kitchen has everything you need to prepare and cook food. If you are thinking of a modern kitchen then you should consider having stainless steel kitchen cabinets. Nowadays a chef’s kitchen is full of ultra-modern appliances. Only stainless steel cabinets will match the décor; whereas, other materials like wood may look out of place. There are various reasons for having g this type of cabinets. These are discussed below. Durability Stainless steel is more durable than wood. It won’t crack or have any mold or mildew issues. So, stainless steel cabinets will last for a long time if maintained well. You won’t need to replace it very often. So, you can consider it to be a ‘one-time’ investment. Matches with any décor Stainless steel cabinets will match any kitchen style. It can combine with wood or other materials and create a visual interest. It will look good with any type of kitchen. You can add glass panels to the cabinet doors to tone down the look of your stainless steel cabinets. Better than wooden cabinets Unlike wooden cabinets, you won’t need to reface it. There won’t be any paint related problem as well. There won’t be any warping problem. The stainless steel cabinets come pre-assembled. So, it will be very easy to install. Stainless steel is strong and they are durable. Easy to maintain and clean […]

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How to choose the best removal company for your move

ByNicola Welch February 13, 2018 1

Moving homes can be a big hassle, especially if you are staying in a big house. There are so many things to take along with you and it can be difficult to do it in an organized way. The removal companies are doing a great job in helping people to relocate. Removals & Storage Leicester companies can help you with your move if you live in Leicester. When you choose your removals company, you need to consider various factors. The volume of goods you are going to transport, the distance you will have to travel, etc. determine the cost. Here are some steps you should take when choosing a storage company. Get recommendations You should ask your family, friends, neighbours, and others if they know any good removal company. If someone has a first-hand experience with a removals company then their recommendation will be best for you. That way you will get to know about their actual performance. Get quotes from various companies You should get at least three quotes from various companies. You should discuss your situation with them; that is, the number of goods to be transferred, whether there is tight stairways, any valuable objects, etc. The cost can vary according to these issues. People from the company should visit your place to see what items need to be moved. Discuss packing Not all companies will provide you with the packing option. Some people also prefer to pack themselves. So, you will need to decide whether you want to pack yourself or let the company do the packing. Make sure that the company has the right packing materials to pack your valuables. Ask them to label the packages properly so that it’s easy to unpack when you move to the new house. Also, give them instructions on how […]

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Could You Be Entitled To Free Cavity Wall Insulation?

ByNicola Welch April 2, 2017

Cavity walls are present on the majority of brick-built houses dating from the early 20th century or later. Since warm air can be trapped in the space inside a cavity wall, forming an additional barrier between the inside and outside, these make buildings better at keeping heat in and save on energy bills, especially when insulating materials are fitted in the cavity. Typically, the process of insulating a cavity wall would start by confirming that the structure of the wall allows for it. A hole would usually be drilled in the outside wall to access the cavity, and from there insulation materials such as wool or foam can be injected into the space. As long as appropriate ventilation is also fitted, this simple process is enough to significantly improve the energy efficiency of many homes in a safe and cost-effective way. Tip: You can actually distinguish them by the pattern of the bricks from the outside in a lot of cases. If all the bricks look the same size and are arranged facing the same way, there is most likely a cavity between two layers of the wall. If the bricks alternate in size and shape, this means the wall is probably one solid construction and there is no cavity area. Once you’ve established that your walls have the capacity to be insulated from the inside, the next question is whether this can be done for free. Depending on a few factors, you may be entitled to this under the government’s ECO (Energy Company Obligations) scheme. Usually your entitlement to free cavity wall insulation will depend on things like your household income, whether you have children living with you, if you are disabled, any benefits you and receive and various other factors. Please follow and like us:

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What Is An Energy Performance Certificate?

ByNicola Welch March 7, 2017

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an important document required by the UK government to ensure that the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) is met. Ensuring regulations on energy performance are adhered to is a high priority for the government, since the effects of climate change continue to be seen and recorded around the world. An increased focus on sustainable fuel usage is still required, but holding buildings to the standards shown on an EPC is one method that has been successful for many years now. A domestic Energy Performance Certificate will be provided to anyone moving into a new home. The EPC is one of several key documents which you can expect to be provided in this situation. This would be given by the previous owner if you’re buying the property, or the landlord if you’re simply a new tenant. Please follow and like us:

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Environmentally Friendly Clothing Materials

ByNicola Welch December 30, 2022

There are many types of clothing materials that can be considered environmentally friendly. These include natural fibres such as cotton and wool, as well as man-made fibres such as bamboo and hemp. Environmentally friendly clothing is often made from these materials using sustainable methods, such as organic farming or fair trade practices. Wearing environmentally friendly clothing is a great way to reduce your impact on the planet, and it can also be stylish and comfortable! Eco-friendly clothing material is not a new concept. In fact, sustainable fashion has been around for centuries, being used in everything from traditional Japanese kimonos to modern-day athleisure. What is eco-friendly clothing material? Eco-friendly clothing material is defined as any fabric that is sustainable, meaning it can be grown or produced without damaging the environment. This includes both natural and synthetic fibres. Some of the most popular eco-friendly fabrics include organic cotton, bamboo, wool, linen, and hemp. These materials are all biodegradable, meaning they will break down naturally over time. They are also often more durable than conventional fabrics, meaning they will last longer and save you money in the long run. When it comes to fashion, more and more people are becoming conscious of the environmental impact their clothing choices have. As a result, eco-friendly materials are becoming increasingly popular. One eco-friendly material that is gaining popularity is recycled wool. Recycled wool is made from post-consumer waste, such as old clothes and carpets. This makes it a sustainable choice, as it doesn’t require new resources to produce. Additionally, recycled wool is just as soft and durable as virgin wool, making it a great choice for those who want to reduce their impact on the environment without compromising on quality. Another popular eco-friendly material is recycled cotton. Like recycled wool, recycled cotton is made from […]

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Installing log burners for your home

ByNicola Welch March 18, 2022

Many homeowners are now planning to install log burners in their houses and the reasons for this are quite varied. Some want to save money by installing cheap log burners and burning cheap firewood and some are just attracted to the flickering flames and the smell of burning wood. There is also a growing awareness amongst people of the environmental issues and the impact that we make by burning fossil fuels. Due to this, there is an urge to go back to basics and get away from the trappings of modern consumerist society. Homeowners also realise that a well-chosen high-quality wood-burning stove brings pleasure, comfort and warmth year after year with the added benefit to the environment. However, before setting up a burner, you need to know a few basics on its upkeep and maintenance. It is important to take proper care of modern log burners if you want them to serve you for a long time, work efficiently and be safe to use. There are professional installers who will carry out periodical maintenance work on contemporary log burners but knowing a few maintenance tips yourself would be quite useful. The chimney of a wood-burning heater should be cleaned once or twice a year without fail. This will help prevent soot build up- a major fire hazard. You also need to check the chimney regularly. If there are gaps, then there may be smoke leaking into the house making the chimney unsuitable for use. You can use smoke pellets to check for leaks. The doors of these burners should be airtight; this will ensure optimum performance. Doors that leak smoke can be fixed by replacing door seals/gaskets. Similarly, the glass of modern log burners can also be replaced if they are damaged. The glass for wood burners are specially built […]

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Ways to Improve Energy Efficiency at Home

ByNicola Welch January 18, 2022

Making a home energy efficient is easier than one might think. Making some small insulation updates and updating residential and industrial heaters is a sure way to save money. That’s right, one investment today can lower energy bills and save people tons of money. The following are some ways to improve the efficiency in the home. Reducing how much heating, gas and electricity you use in the home is key to improving your energy efficiency. Voltage optimisation systems are a great way to manage and regulate your electricity usage. The systems will evaluate the incoming energy and keep them at efficient levels. An easy way to control your usage, as well as saving money and reducing carbon emissions. efficient Energy has some excellent products to help reduce your monthly outgoings. Thermostat Updates Thermostats are incredibly important because they limit energy waste. For example, a heater shouldn’t keep running if the home is already properly heated and at a comfortable temperature. Programmable thermostats ensure that systems are only running when necessary. This is important at night when people are asleep or when they are away at work. The thermostat will handle when systems are turned off or on, which saves a lot in costs. Insulation Heaters have to do double-duty if your house isn’t properly insulated. This is because hot air is leaked outside thanks to thin walls, poor insulation and gaps between windows and doors. Investing in the right insulation ensures that a home is protected so that people do not have to turn up the heat to stay warm at night. Additionally, updating windows and doors ensures that air does not leak out, wasting energy in the process. Such an update increases a property’s value, stops heat loss and lowers costs. A simple call to professionals can get this […]

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Top 5 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Plastic

ByNicola Welch October 17, 2021

There are plenty of eco-friendly substitute materials that we can implement in our daily lives to reduce the cause of plastic pollution. As more countries, global brands and companies are heading towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, the demand for non-plastic alternatives is high. Whether it’s businesses implementing fully compostable packaging or supermarkets cutting their usage of plastic bags, it’s safe to say that we are on the right track to cut down our reliance on plastic goods. To help you get started, here are some long-lasting plastic alternatives available right now. Recycled paper and cardboard Cardboard and paper are sustainable and recycle friendly replacements for plastic packaging. Especially when you’re shopping at your local supermarket, you can ask the staff if they have any spare cardboard boxes lying around the stockroom. Paper and cardboard are much easier to recycle, and the chances are that they are made from recycled materials in the first place. Overall, both materials break down quicker and produce less harmful pollutants than plastic. Glass Although glass is not biodegradable, glass is cheap and infinitely recyclable. Since many pre-packed foods like jam, sauce and fruit are generally stored in glass jars, they can be cleaned and reused to store homemade sauce, drinks and other use for arts and crafts. Mushroom based materials The biodegradable material called mycelium, made from a mushroom root, is a trending replacement for plastic packaging. The material is made with mushroom fibres and agricultural waste products like cotton hulls, rice hulls and wheat chaff. The final product can be used for compost or mulch, and some companies are using the material as an eco-friendly substitute for styrofoam. Bamboo Bamboo has naturally antibacterial properties, fast growth spurts, and it’s sustainable. Aside from its rapid growth, there is no need for farmers to […]

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Five Ways to Live an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

ByNicola Welch September 15, 2021

With global warming, climate change and pollution arising, it’s more important than ever to live an eco-friendly lifestyle to help save the planet. Below are five different ways you can start to live a greener lifestyle. Buy second hand or vintage furniture Rather than buying new furniture, you could instead buy vintage or second-hand furniture in charity shops or auction houses. Not only will you save money by reusing furniture, but you’re also helping reduce waste overall. You can also look to purchase second-hand items online through Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree. Let your grass grow Letting your grass grow can help the environment in so many ways. So instead of cutting your grass every week, you can let them grow for a little bit and cut them every three to four weeks instead. This will encourage more wildlife to your garden. By making a habit of cutting your grass less, you’re saving electricity, resulting in less carbon dioxide emissions. Use your leftover ingredients Many of our waste comes from food waste. Most people tend to throw their leftovers in the bin, not realising they can be used for something. Instead of wasting any leftover ingredients, you could find ways to use them for another meal or turn them into something else. User green energy suppliers When choosing an energy supplier, you should look for suppliers who are using renewable sources of energy. If you live in the UK, there are a couple of green energy suppliers available. Companies like Good Energy or Green Energy UK are reliable suppliers. Use baths more A recent study shows that a shower uses more water than having a bath. So instead of having showers more often during the week, you should look to have more baths to help reduce water usage. While you’re in […]

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The Importance of Recycling

ByNicola Welch August 16, 2021

There are endless benefits to recycling waste properly, from positive global impacts, creating new job opportunities, reducing landfill waste, and preventing rapid climate change and global warming. Apart from the positive environmental effects, recycling helps create jobs in both the manufacturing and recycling industries in the UK, which is essential to the country’s job security, stability and economy. Recycling in the UK means that many businesses can rely on domestic material sources rather than imported ones. It’s important to remember that recycling is necessary to practice for a healthier, eco-friendly and sustainable future. Here are a few reasons why recycling is essential. Reduction to global pollution The process of extracting raw materials to produce new materials causes endless pollution, and recycling helps to reduce the need to extract more material, meaning there’s less pollution. The more materials we recycle, we throw away less waste in landfills. A landfill filled with tons of decaying material emits harmful chemicals and pollutants, so the more we recycle, the less damage we cause to the environment. Energy efficient Making products from recycled materials requires less energy and footprint compared to making them from extracted raw materials. Using less energy on sourcing, labour and processing materials means we produce lower carbon emissions, therefore preventing the chances of disastrous climate change. Conserves our raw material source and reduces our demand for them Constantly extracting raw materials is expensive and can cause permanent damage to the environment. In many cases, it can lead to indigenous tribes and vulnerable communities living around forest systems becoming evicted or exploited for their material sources. Recycling is a better approach instead of damaging land and nature in search of new raw materials. Cheaper than waste disposal and collection Recycling your waste is much cheaper than relying on waste collection. The more […]

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Eco-Friendly Products That You Can Buy To Help The Environment

ByNicola Welch March 5, 2021

Did you know that only 10% of all the plastic that’s ever been made has been recycled? Additionally, another 10% gets incinerated while the remaining 80% ends up in landfills. If we want to curve the environmental impact pollution has on your planet, we need to use eco friendly products. Here are some top eco-friendly products to consider, the next time you feel like shopping. Reusable Produce Bags Grocery plastic bags have contributed to plastic pollution so much that some government entities in other countries have banned stores from providing them to customers. Using reusable produce bags is a great way to limit the amount of waste that you yourself produce. As opposed to getting a paper or plastic bag from the store, as to which you throw out after the fact, you can have a more positive impact on the environment by using a set of produce bags that can last for years Eco-Friendly Smartphone Cases One of the major culprits of plastic waste are phone cases. Hundreds of millions of phone cases are tossed each year and statistics show that a vast majority of them end up in the ocean and landfills. Modern advances in technologies have enabled us to develop phone cases that consist of 100% compostable bioplastic. Compostable Bowls And Plates Chances are that you throw away dozens of paper and plastic bowls and plates after hosting family events throughout the year. Compostable party plates and bowls are more environmentally friendly than their traditional paper-based counterparts because they can be used to fertilize soil once they are thrown out Reusable Bread Bag If making bread at your house is one of your most profound hobbies, this is for you. Reusable bread bags are made to replace their paper and plastic counterparts. Some brands are made from […]

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Central Heating Services for Domestic Purposes

ByNicola Welch November 12, 2018

A centralised heating system provides warmth to the interior or parts of the house. This system is primarily used to control the temperature of the house and maintains the warmness inside. Depending on the choice of the owner, warm air heaters can be installed in multiple rooms or in just one room. However the services don’t stop there, they also expand into commercial and industrial factories and settings. Heating is essential for workspaces to keep employees and clients from the cold. Although they can be used in the home, warm air heaters are amongst the most popular way to spread heat through large spaces. Below are the different methods used for central heating services for domestic purposes. Forced-Air Furnace This system creates warmth through the burning of fuels in a boiler or a furnace. It may create warmth from a point in the house and allocate it to some other parts of the house through pipes known as ductwork. These pipes transmit the heat from the furnace to the rest of the house. A forced-air heat system characterises a relatively easy technology and needs only a few simple operating mechanisms. Electric Resistance Heating This system uses an element that’s attached to an electrical supply. This then transmits current through the radiators, changes it into heat, and then, allocates it throughout the ventilation system by using fans in the furnace. In terms of energy efficiency, this type of system can be controlled in separate rooms, saving 20 to 50% in energy. Steam Boilers This type of heater distributes warmth through convection, warming the air by permitting the heat to merely, be immersed into the air. This system does not utilise duct-work for distribution, therefore there aren’t any specks of dust agitating through the air and no filters to alter. The dust […]

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