USEA global feed

Green Deal Core Group Meeting

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

We are holding a Green Deal Core Group meeting at Watford Town Hall on Monday 27th February, 2pm - 4pm.

USEA hosts Green Deal round-table for SMEs

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:27:00 GMT

On Thursday 9th February, USEA hosted a DECC round-table event at Milton Keynes Council aimed at SMEs.

Affordable Warmth Project Assistant

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

We have an opportunity for someone with good customer service, telephone and face to face communication skills to join our enthusiastic, Witney based team on a part time basis to support our work relating to tackling fuel poverty.

End of an era for the Energy Efficiency Advice Service

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:58:00 GMT

At the end of March our long association with the Energy Saving Trust providing an energy efficiency advice service will come to an end.

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is the 10th February 2012. It's an opportunity to look out for those in need, especially with quantity of snow that fell overnight on the 9th across Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire...

ACE european project announced

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Announcement of the ACE project (Academy of Champions for Energy), funded by INTERREG IVB NWE.

Camera-on-camera: Thermal Imaging in the limelight

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:36:00 GMT

A thermal imaging project in West Oxfordshire has been attracting lots of attention recently... Why? Because the results have been outstanding!

Bucks winter taskforce project picks up pace

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A range of project partners come together to forge closer links, better cross referral mechanisms and increase their reach for the benefit of residents in Buckinghamshire County.

"Keep it local" to tackle Fuel Poverty

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:00 GMT

Current estimates put the level of fuel poverty in the UK at between a quarter and a fifth of all households. The policies of successive governments have failed to halt the remorseless rise in the number of fuel poor households when pitted against the upward creep in energy prices.

Collaborative transport

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

How many hours a day do you use your car? And how much does it cost you to run each year? The total cost will be in the £1,000s, and most people leave their cars parked for over 23 hours a day.

USEA gains Low Carbon Consultants accreditation

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

USEA's, Dhan Tennakoon, has gained Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Low Carbon Consultant accreditation in Energy Management Systems.

Hundreds of vulnerable residents get additional help this winter

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Following successful bids to the Department of Health, innovative schemes can be put in motion to help keep vulnerable residents warm and well this winter.

USEA raising awareness about Electric Vehicles in the East

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

USEA is working with Evalu8 to deliver a project for the Energy Saving Trust to inform people in the East of England about electric vehicles.

NOT SEEN THE LAST OF HECA!

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:18:00 GMT

For many of us, HECA (Home Energy Conservation Act 1995) was the very trigger for much of the work and projects that have taken place over the last 15 years.

Deal or No Deal for local installers?

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:25:00 GMT

The advent of Green Deal will no doubt present market opportunities for installing trades, and many of the larger installers are gearing up by thinking about how they will organise finance, assessments, ECO funding and also tooling up for emerging measures like solid wall insulation.

Cutting our teeth with Green Deal

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

With the Green Deal and ECO consultation well under way we are keen to start implementing and trialling some approaches to how we see it operating and importantly, how our partners can engage with each other.

Fun and Games with Sony

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I have recently been working with Sony to host two sustainability fairs for their staff. Since 2004 Sony have implemented a Global Environmental Management System audited according to ISO 14001 standards.

Low Carbon Hub is launched

Fri, 2 Dec 2011 13:58:00 GMT

The much anticipated 'Low Carbon Hub' for Oxfordshire Community groups was launched last tonight in the stunning setting of Oxford Town Hall.

Movember - the final reckoning

Thu, 1 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Well, the month of Movember is over and it's time to reflect on what has been achieved.

Magical or Mythical 10%

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Is the definition of a household being in 'fuel poverty' if spending more than 10% of their household income on achieving 'adequate warmth' appropriate? Is the figure of 10% a good enough measure which fits most scenarios?

DECC publish Fuel Poverty Statistics

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Fuel poverty levels across the UK increased from 3.3 million households to 4.0 million, a change of just over 18% in 2008-2009

Prius Prance or Prius Paladin?

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I have long been interested in the image of environmentalists. It seems like some of us can easily get away with walking barefoot, wearing windproof jackets and backpacks to business meetings and avoiding using the services of qualified hairdressers when few other professionals can. Perhaps not the coolest look.

Government publish Green Deal and ECO consultation

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Green Deal consultation has been published. We've put together a brief outline of the key points we've noted from the document.

Menfolk at USEA grow moustaches for Movember

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:36:00 GMT

The menfolk of USEA are growing moustaches for Movember which aims to raise vital funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

Fuel Poverty claims 2,700 lives a year

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:38:00 GMT

Living in a cold home is not only a question of great discomfort, but more importantly it also has a serious negative impact on mental health and illness.

Green Deal Update

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Since the Green Deal Conference that took place in September quite a lot has happened so we have a lot to update our partners about.

Why you should know your own carbon footprint

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Most of us like to think we are doing our bit for the environment, be it by recycling, using low energy light bulbs, buying a new low emission car or the other myriad things that count for doing your bit.

Renewables are just too expensive. Or are fossil fuels too cheap?

Wed, 9 Nov 2011 17:57:00 GMT

It's not news that government policies heavily influence our use of energy.

Doing nothing is not a sustainable option

Wed, 2 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I recently read Gareth Kane’s excellent blog on why you should green your business in the middle of a recession.

Big Green Deal Event, 16th September 2011

Sat, 1 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

How can local authorities, installers and not-for-profit organisations work together to ensure the best Green Deal package for local residents? Find out in this review of the Green Deal event of 16th September.

USEA Staff challenge themselves to Drive Smarter

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

USEA Staff recently received training in "Smarter Driving". Each participant engaged in a 50 minute driving tutorial on Eco driving with a qualified instructor. The great techniques and

EPC redesign gives Green Deal a plug

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The first images of the anticipated redesign of the Energy Performance Certificate have emerged.

Scottish and Southern Energy announce price rise

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:32:00 GMT

Scottish and Southern Energy have become the latest supplier to raise the price of energy. In September, electric prices are set to rise by 11% and gas by 18%

Renewable Heat Premium Payments announcement

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:52:00 GMT

Today sees the announcement of the Renewable Heat Premium Payments (RHPP).

One in five households in fuel poverty

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:58:00 GMT

Figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change suggest 5.

MK cycle challenge

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:25:00 GMT

USEA entered this years MK cycle challenge - a fun, free competition to encourage people working or living in Milton Keynes to remember the joys and benefits of riding a bike

Staff engagement was the key to achieving ISO14001

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:39:00 GMT

Having volunteered to take on the remit of environmental manager and lead our business to achieving ISO14001 accreditation ¯ where to start?

Environmental Regeneration in Milton Keynes

Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A feasibility study of environmental regeneration in Netherfield, Coffee Hall and Beanhill estates in Milton Keynes

Introduction to Fuel Poverty Workshop

Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A one day workshop aimed at key frontline workers, volunteers and advisors who have regular contact with the public particularly those who are vulnerable to fuel poverty.

The new EU Energy Efficiency Plan - but what's the missing word?

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

European Energy Policy is based upon the so called 3 by 20 principle of climate action;20 percent energy reduction,20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; 20 percent renewable energy generation

New Warm Front Criteria

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

As of Thursday 14th April, the Warm Front scheme is live for new applications.

Area Based Approach (ABA) in MK

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

By using an Area Based Approach (ABA) in Milton Keynes, USEA has consistently delivered the volume and quality of insulation leads needed to match remaining funds.

USEA case study on UKCP09 data use

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

USEA case study to show how UKCP09 Climate Change projections data can be used

Buckinghamshire Fuel Poverty Strategy

Fri, 9 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

USEA has developed a Buckinghamshire County Fuel Poverty Strategy. The aim of the strategy is to set out how to tackle fuel poverty in Buckinghamshire over the next five years.

Delivering NI 187 for Vale of White Horse District Council

Fri, 9 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

USEA have taken the hassle out of NI 187 reporting for Vale of the White Horse District Council for the last two years, at a very reasonable cost.

NI185 at West Oxfordshire

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Our reporting goes beyond the mandatory requirement and focusses on identifying opportunities for energy reductions.

Buckinghamshire Affordable Warmth Network

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Affordable Warmth Networks are an effective way to tackle fuel poverty issues in an area.

Environmental Regeneration - Lakes Estate, MK

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Low Carbon Social Housing - A Feasibility Study of Environmental Regeneration in the Lakes Estate

Low Carbon Retrofit: Burford Visitor Information Centre

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Low Carbon Retrofit - Feasibility Study for Burford Visitor Information Centre&Public Conveniences

Energy assessment of Banbury TIC

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This energy assessment looked at how energy can be saved in Banbury TIC/One Stop Shop by minimising heat load and cooling load.