Cocoon global feed

Encouraging recycling in the workplace

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Here in the USEA office we're pretty good at recycling our waste, and keeping the amount of rubbish we send to landfill as low as possible.

Zero Cost Energy Saving Measures

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:25:00 GMT

In these days of austerity it's worth remembering a few energy saving - and therefore money saving - tips that won't cost you anything.

Cold Weather Payments explained ¯ are you entitled to help with your energy bills?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:08:00 GMT

Did you know that when the weather is very cold, some people are eligible to receive an extra payment from the government to help with heating costs? Now I don't know about you, but here in Milton Keynes the weather has been pretty cold recently.

Going GREEN? Get the best DEAL...

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:02:00 GMT

The new innovative 'Green Deal' financial mechanism is due to come into force later this year (autumn).

Whitehill Bordon Grant

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Whitehill Bordon grant is now closed for new applications.

UK smart meter myth-buster

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

What do you call a meter which isn't a smart meter?

Decoding the recent gas and electricity price reductions

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:18:00 GMT

There has been a lot of talk in the news over the last week that the energy companies are reducing their prices.

Stop Trying to "Save the Planet"

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

For Christmas I was given the book "Seeing Further, The Story of Science&the Royal Society". Within its excellent 22 separate essays was one by Oliver Morton entitled "Globe and Sphere, Cycles and Flows: How to see the World". One of the main thrusts of that essay was to point out how inaccurate it is for various campaigns and environmental groups to bang on about "saving the planet".

43.3p or 21p...? That is the question.

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:54:00 GMT

It has been a turbulent time for the solar industry recently.

What energy efficiency measures will you be able to get through Green Deal?

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:59:00 GMT

The government's Green Deal consultation period closes on 18th January 2012, and with the opportunity to ask questions and give comments getting nearer, it is a hot topic among people in the energy efficiency industries.

Top ten environmental new year's resolutions

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It's that time of year again, where we all resolve to lose weight, go to the gym, stop smoking.

Insulating the cavity walls of blocks of flats

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:00:00 GMT

In recent months we have experienced an increase in enquiries about cavity wall insulation for flats.

Sanergy - an organisation who actually wants to increase waste

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I've been reading recently about Sanergy, an organisation based in the US who are working to create an effective sanitation system within the slums of Nairobi.

Wycombe helps residents to stay warm and counter increase in energy bills

Tue, 6 Dec 2011 17:12:00 GMT

Wycombe council has made additional grant funds available for its Wycombe 500 Houses Challenge.

Are PV Solar Panels still worth it?

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The announcement of the change to Feed in Tariff (FITs) payments from the 12th December 2011 sent shock waves through the photovoltaic industry and has created a lot of negative press ¯ not to mention the threat of legal action by Friends of the Earth. However, does this mean that PV is now a bad idea?

Landlords should prepare their tenants for winter

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The National Landlords Association has urged it's members to prepare their tenants for winter by providing simple advice and ensuring their properties are well insulated.

Why service my gas boiler?

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:31:00 GMT

Well the weather has well and truly turned chilly now and I'm sure most of you will have given in to the cold and finally turned on your heating.

Sun begins to set on Solar Electricity Feed-In Tariffs

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:57:00 GMT

A document leaked from the Energy Saving Trust (EST) today has unveiled government plans to drastically reduce the 4kW solar photovoltaic (PV) tariff level from 43.

Renewables could meet the majority of the UK energy needs by 2030

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:50:00 GMT

The WWF have published a feasibility study looking what proportion of the UK energy supply could be provided by solar, wind, tidal and other renewable energy sources within the next twenty years; and their findings are pretty ambitious.

Could the Green Deal destroy the Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation industry?

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:31:00 GMT

In December 2012 the existing system of grants to help householders insulate their homes will come to an end and be replaced by the new "Green Deal" and its planned system for loans.

Prepare for rising energy prices

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:34:00 GMT

The message isn't new, but it has more urgency.

Ofgem simplification plan aims to make energy bills easier to compare

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:41:00 GMT

On Friday Ofgem published a press release detailing their plans for a major overhaul of the energy supplier's pricing mechanisms.

Cocoon your home from rising gas and electricity prices

Thu, 6 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Cocoon your home from rising gas and electricity prices. Our new energy price comparison service can help you find the best deals on gas and electricity for your home.

Is choosing an energy supplier like choosing a toaster? Chris Huhne thinks so

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

So Energy Secretary Chris Huhne compared shopping for a toaster with choosing an energy supplier in a recent interview with the Times. He implied that people had their priorities all wrong if they were willing to put the work in to compare buying something worth £25, but not willing to compare energy deals.

Energy saving light bulbs - facts and fiction

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 10:58:00 GMT

The latest phase of the EU ban on the manufacture and distribution of incandescent light bulbs comes into force today, meaning that 60 watt clear bulbs will no longer being made.

Can I insulate a boarded loft?

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Loft insulation is a great way of making your home more energy efficient, warmer, and keeping your energy bills low. But many people use their lofts as storage, with large boarded areas to allow you to hide away all of those things you don't really use or need, but are loathe to get rid of.

cost of going solar gets easier to compare

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Cocoon comparison service now helps homeowners compare costs for solar pv and solar water heating as well as insulation.

Insulating inner city London

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Energy Saving Trust recently released a report which included a breakdown by local authority of the number of properties who had taken advantage of the government's CERT funding to subsidise cut price cavity wall and loft insulation.

Make money with solar panels

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Ever since the last Labour government introduced Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs), PV panels have been an attractive proposition. If you have the money to spend to have panels fitted then you are guaranteed an income, index linked, for the next 25 years, as well as seeing your energy bills come down

Ofgem fines and the Big Six energy suppliers

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:59:00 GMT

Ofgem fines and the Big Six energy suppliers

Is my home suitable for solar?

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Some pointers to help you establish if your home is suitable for solar pv or solar hot water. Roof orientation, space, affordability? A 'solar suitability checker' tool which will help.

The real Green Deal... please stand up

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Is grant support for home insulation soon to be replaced by loans? The government's Green Deal proposals certainly imply this.

Cavity Wall Insulation Problems?

Thu, 3 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Cavity wall insulation problems can arise if your property is vulnerable to damp. Avoid problems by reading our no-nonsense advice.

How not to overheat in summer

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

When sizzling hot weather is forecast, how can you store that early morning cool? Try these tips...

Sense in Switching?

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

At a time of rising energy prices on-line comparison can help you save money.

Preparing for Transition?

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

As more and more energy is required to extract oil, less will be available to feed economic growth. The low price oil we've enjoyed for decades appears to be history.

What has water got to do with energy?

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

What has water got to do with energy? The short answer is... plenty! About 70% of global freshwater is used in agriculture - this provides us with our food energy. Hydropower provides some 20% of global electricity.

solar is an earner with new feed-in tariff

Thu, 1 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

FITs mean that a well sited Solar PV system can now pay for itself in as little as 12.5 years.

Love food hate waste

Fri, 1 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

UK households are throwing away 8.3m tonnes of food a year, most of which is perfectly edible. A typical family with kids bins £680 worth.

How smart is your driving?

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Smarter driving could save you the equivalent of about one months worth of fuel a year. It will also help you drive safely and reduce wear and tear on your clutch and gearbox.

energy saving light bulb myth buster

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Not all information you read about energy saving light bulbs is accurate. The following Q&A should help put you in command of the facts.

insulate and save!

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you have little or no insulation in your home, up to 40p in every £1 of heat you pay for could be escaping before you feel warm.

beat the (credit) freeze

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you are getting poor returns on your investments, why not try energy saving?

Avoid cold related illnesses this winter

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If you can not afford to adequately heat your home you are technically living in fuel poverty. This could make you more vulnerable to cold-related illnesses like asthma, influenza, bronchitis and pneumonia.

make the most of your energy

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The cost of household gas is almost twice what it was in 1999. Energy Saving Trust says the average household could still save around £300 a year on its energy bills. Are you missing a trick?

Together we can tackle climate change

Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The scientific evidence is clear. Human CO2 emissions are accelerating climate change. We all need to reduce the emissions for which we are personally responsible by burning less fuel.

free insulation for over 70s

Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

100% grant funded loft and cavity wall insulation is currently available to residents aged 70 years and above. This offer is made irrespective of your income and savings and whether or not you are in receipt of benefits.

what are the best insulation materials?

Sat, 1 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This article takes a look at a range of different insulation materials which are available to the DIY enthusiast or self-build house builder.

Calculate your carbon footprint

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Web based Carbon Calculators can help us move from agreement on climate change to action.

climate its the pace of change that should concern us

Sun, 1 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Climate scientists consider it very likely that global warming is now being accelerated by the high volumes of man-made carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere.

Time to go solar?

Mon, 1 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Is now really the time to go solar? Only if you have taken care of the basics, say the experts. Proven systems can provide hot water or electricity. However, insulating your home and switching to a 100% green electricity tariff may be quicker ways to help the planet.