ElectricPoint

How Small Businesses can be Energy Efficient

As the weather starts to get colder and businesses begin to feel the pinch financially, it’s important for smaller businesses to monitor their energy bills as they set to increase.

According to a recent survey by E.ON, only 1 in 10 employees are concerned about energy efficiency and have taken responsibility for reducing energy output.

It seems that homeowners take more responsibility for being energy efficient, whilst owners of small businesses do little to reduce their electricity usage each month.

Here is a list of tips to help your small business become more energy efficient:

Implementing a Policy

Arranging an energy policy for your staff to follow is vital and will encourage your staff to make a conscious effort to reduce their energy usage. This policy will serve as a reminder for people to switch off lights and devices when they are not being used and also to keep windows and doors closed to keep the heat inside during the winter months.  Experts are claiming that waste reduction should be the main priority of many small businesses as this is where a lot of expenses are going.

Staff

E.ON’s survey revealed that many employees of smaller companies didn’t see energy efficiency as part of their role which has caused energy bills to rise. An improvement in company attitudes is said to be the main cause of this because if people are willing to implement policies and work hard to reduce energy efficiency, companies will reap the rewards.

Companies are taking extra measures to change the attitudes of their staff and are even offering incentives for those who follow the policies or make solutions.

Premises

When trying to make your company buildings more efficient, why not invest in energy efficient light bulbs or replace devices for more energy efficient ones? The older some devices are the less energy efficient they will be.

Electric Point offer a wide range of energy saving devices that will help your business to save on your energy bills.

Stay Safe with Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon Monoxide is a dangerous and highly poisonous gas that is released by unsafe gas appliances within the home.  If this spreads within the home it can cause long term health problems or even death, so it’s very important that you invest in a detector that will prevent you and your family from any harm.

As carbon monoxide gas can’t be seen or smelt, you need to look out for any symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and breathlessness. If these symptoms are only present when you are at home, it is wise that your install a detector and get your gas appliances checked.

How can a carbon monoxide detector help?

• Fitting a carbon monoxide detector can help to pre-warn you if carbon monoxide is being released within your home.
• Although this is a good way to protect you within the home, it is still advised that you have regular visits from a registered gas engineer to carry out the appropriate checks.
• These detectors are easy to install and are very similar to your standard smoke alarm.
• As you won’t be able to sense any symptoms whilst sleeping, these detectors will again help to warn you if there are any signs of carbon monoxide gas.

Can carbon monoxide leaks be avoided in the home?

Look out for the following signs in your home:

• Be careful to check the flame on your gas cooker as it should be blue in colour. A yellow flame can be hazardous so it is wise to get your cooker checked.
• Look out for dark stains around your appliances that will be caused by the carbon monoxide.

If you experience any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, it is advisable to get some fresh air, turn off your appliances and leave the house until you have your gas appliances checked by the professionals.

Electric Point has a wide range of carbon monoxide detectors that can help you to discover any early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

Homeowners in Cardiff have the most expensive electricity bills

Many homeowners in Cardiff are subject to paying the highest rates for electricity bills, according to a recent study.

The latest Government findings have revealed that people living in Cardiff are more likely to be paying significantly higher rates than those homeowners that live in areas such as London, Edinburgh and Manchester.

This also comes as a shock to the homeowners in Cardiff as they are also expected to get a 9% increase on what they are already paying, which will come into place on the 15^th October, adding just less than £9 on the average electricity bill each month.

Welsh customers have also been informed that they will incur any price rises announced by Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE), parent company of supplier Swalec.

According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, it has been estimated that the price of the average electricity bills will rise to £1,274, whilst the study also revealed that customers in Cardiff pay the highest annual direct debit electricity bills in Britain, at a rate of £455 a year. This is in comparison to people in London who pay £430 on average, and people in Manchester who pay £431.

A survey into consumer focus in the area also revealed that 70% of welsh households are worried about the increasing electricity bills and a further 10% also admitted that they would be concerned if fuel prices were to rise during the winter months.

Residents living in Cardiff are also currently questioning why they are rates of electricity that are higher than more expensive areas such as London.

As the colder months are moving closer, there is also the worry that pensioners may struggle to afford their electricity bills, based on the monthly allowances they receive.

Older People’s Commissioner Sarah Rochira said: “These figures confirm that many older people in Cardiff will find it even more difficult to pay their fuel bills this year.”

Here at Electric Point, we have a wide range of energy saving products such as LED light fittings and programmers that will monitor your electricity usage and save you money during these tough economic times.

Parents are concerned about summer energy usage

Parents reveal that they are worried about energy usage during the summer break, according to a new study.

The survey, conducted by one of Britain’s Largest Energy Suppliers, E.ON, has announced that 16% of parents are concerned about the amount of electricity used over the summer period.

These results appear to be quite surprising as July and August tend to be the warmer months of the year, meaning that homes consume less electricity and gas. 

So, why are parents feeling worried? With many people being made redundant, holidays for some have had to be scaled back suggesting that people are staying at home this summer.

Further findings revealed that 32% of parents have either cancelled their holiday plans or taken a staycation in another part of the UK, which has caused families to use more electricity and energy at home.

With the British weather being hit and miss, it’s also clear that children will be finding other means to have fun by playing on an electrical appliance such as an Xbox or watching the television more frequently which will be sure to bump up the bills!

The survey also gave an insight into the parents’ attitudes towards televisions and computer games as 22% complained about their children’s reliance on these gadgets.

Despite this worry, there are various ways that parents can reduce the amount of energy used within the home, which will have a positive impact on their bills.

Simply turning your electrical appliances off standby or switching off the lights are a great way to save money on energy bills. Comparing energy prices across the market is also another way to get the lowest possible price.

Electric Point has a vast range of energy saving products such as the LED lights that are certain to save you money during the summer. Contact the experts at Electric Point for more information.

New Study suggests that 80% of Brits support Renewable Energy

British homeowners are showing their support for renewable energy, according to a recent survey.

The study, conducted by The Department of Energy and Climate Change has announced that 55% of people surveyed said they wouldn’t oppose plans for large scale renewable energy development in their local area.

Although the plans for renewable energy development have been opposed by the media and politicians, only 5% of the 2100 households surveyed said they were against renewable energy.

However, the respondents did not feel as positively about nuclear power, as 29% claimed that the benefits of this power would be as high as the level of risk involved. Although the idea to improve renewable energy sources is favoured by many people, the research found that the issue is not a main priority, as only 3% of respondents argued that energy supply is the biggest challenge facing the UK.

These findings also revealed that over half of the people questioned were worried about their energy bills rising in the future as prices have continued to soar. Whilst 40% of people feel concerned that the UK should be more in control of its own energy supplies, as opposed to relying on other countries.

Despite these concerns, it was also outlined that 82% of those people surveyed admitted to thinking about energy saving methods, but have not responded by making any changes to their energy usage, such as monitoring this using timing and heating programmers.

Instead of ensuring that lights are switched off and appliances are turned off standby, the homeowners surveyed said that they don’t always take the necessary care to save money by making these simple and effective changes.

“Our research shows that whilst there is widespread knowledge of major future risks: climate change, longevity, overpopulation and a savings gap for retirement, consumers aren’t willing to sacrifice their lifestyles to enact future change,” says David Thomson, director of policy and public affairs at the CII.

Thomson says he thinks more guidance is needed from the government and larger organisations on where the impact can be greatest.

Electric Point is one of the largest electrical wholesalers in the UK and will help you to save on your energy bills each year by giving you great deals on LED lights and other energy saving products. 

 

 

Keep Your Cool in the Heat This Summer

The Great British weather can’t seem to make up its mind this summer. On some days temperatures are reaching record highs whereas on other days there are torrential downpours. Last week Britain was reportedly hotter than the Sahara as temperatures reached 30C on contrast to the previous week which saw severe flood warnings issued.

As varied as the climate is, the UK is expected to experience sunshine later this month and it is important that you keep cool despite the rising heat.

There are various ways that you can keep cool and here are some top tips:

• Fans

Fans are great to help you cope with the hot summer days and they are ideal for stuffy, small offices to keep staff comfortable and level-headed.

• Aircon

Air conditioning is a brilliant method to keep the office surroundings cool and ventilated but you can cut costs on your energy bills by opening the windows instead for natural air.

• Small meals

Did you know that by eating small meals but eating more often helps you to stay cool? The larger a meal is, the more heat your body created to break the food down.

• Cool your wrists

A main vein passes through your wrist so by holding your wrist under a cold tap for a couple second every couple of hours, you can keep cool.

• Shower

Obviously if you are at work this is not a possible task, but if your workplace does have its own shower facilities then you may want to take this into account to keep you cool. But bear in mind that cold showers are not ideal because the body generates heat afterwards to compensate for the loss.

• Clothing

Lightweight, light coloured clothes can help to keep you cool as they reflect the sun’s radiation.

Here at Electric Point, we have a vast range of fans to choose from and if you ordering in quantities of ten or more; just give us a call or email and we’ll do our best to give you a bulk discount!

 

Survey reveals the Most Popular ways of Saving Energy

A survey has revealed that the most popular way that British homeowners save energy is to turn off the lights, according to a new study.

The survey, conducted by UK Enterprise revealed that British people have been incredibly good at saving energy over the past 60 years and compared the results to a survey that was completed in the 1950s, which revealed that 88% of people tried to reduce the heat they used back then.

In the 1950s the favoured methods of saving energy were switching off the lights (75%) and using draught excluders (72%), which is similar to the results from the most recent survey.

The new findings show that 86% of home owners are still switching their lights off when leaving the room, which is the most popular way to save money. This was closely followed by 83% of homeowners choosing to turn their electrical appliances off such as the television.

A further difference is that homeowners now have a range of devices to monitor energy usage such as a timer and heating programmer  which will help you to save money on your energy bills. Many homes are also equipped with double glazing, effective insulation and use energy-efficient appliances.

Although homeowners have the resources to save energy, 42% of consumers admitted that they do not monitor their energy usage of gas and electricity.

With the economic downturn and many cuts being made, saving energy is a vital way for people to save some extra money. Making the effort to turn appliances off standby, or turning off lights can help you to reduce your bills whilst helping you to be more energy efficient.

Electric Point is one of the largest electrical wholesalers in the UK and will help you to save on your energy bills each year by giving you great deals on LED lights and other energy saving products.  Contact them today for more information.

 

Homeowners could end up paying double to support new nuclear plants

Consumers could end up paying double what their electricity bill would normally cost, in order for the government and energy industry to invest in new nuclear plants, according to a report in the Financial Times.

The nuclear programme is set to show that companies will need a price of £100 per megawatt hour, which has doubled from its original cost which is £41 per megawatt hour.

This is part of a plan to create a low-carbon economy by introducing new nuclear reactors, if the UK is to meet climate change targets which plan to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.

There have been many factors that have contributed to this increase such as last year’s Fukushima disaster in Japan which has increased the price of a new reactor to £7.5billion, which is over twice the amount a new reactor would have cost two years ago.

For a reasonable return, it has been estimated that the building of new reactors should cost between £130-140/MWh, which is the cost of electricity generated by offshore wind farms. A spokesperson from one of the government support energy companies has said, “If you can’t do nuclear for that price, then you might as well build more wind farms.”

Companies such as EDF Energy and Centrica, owned by British Gas are hoping to start developing new nuclear plants at Hinkley Point in Somerset later on this year, although this does depend on the amount of funding that is available for nuclear power from the government.

Despite the companies negotiating what the price should be for Hinkley Point,  EDF promises to deliver a fair deal for consumers by offering electricity that is affordable and good value for money.

Electric Point is one of the largest electrical wholesalers in the UK and will help you to save on your energy bills each year by giving you great deals on LED lights and other energy saving products.  Contact them today for more information.

 

 

 

 

Poll announces that 80% of Brits alter their Homes to save on Energy

Many people are taking further steps to reduce their energy consumption by altering their properties, according to a new poll.

The survey, conducted by Charity Age UK has found that the way people reduce energy in their homes has dramatically changed throughout the years. The study has found that in the 50s, the main focus was on switching off lights to save energy and using draft excluders to keep the heat in. However, due to rising energy costs and environmental factors, people are making greater changes.

The new findings show that 80% of the respondents surveyed have made changes to their properties in order to cut down their energy usage and save money. Property owners have achieved this by installing double glazing (75%), installing roof insulation to keep heat in (60%) and upgraded their appliances to more energy efficient versions (38%).

Changing your property may seem costly at the time, but will ensure that you save money on your energy bills for the future.

Despite the fact that most home owners are happy to monitor their energy usage, over half of the respondents questioned (58%) admitted that they don’t monitor their energy consumption. However, The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) are hoping to introduce smart meters to monitor energy consumption within the home by 2019.

Energy saving experts have claimed that there should be no excuse for energy wastage as the technology to improve this is now much cheaper and more easily accessible. 

With the recession hitting many homes in the UK and an increase in job shortages, it’s more important that you save every penny and aim to be more cost effective by reducing your energy bills. 

Electric Point is one of the largest electrical wholesalers in the UK and will help you to save on your energy bills each year. Contact one of our experts for more information today.

 

 

UK Households Waste Billions on Electricity Each Year

After the recent news that UK households are wasting £13billion on electricity each year, it’s important that we think about wastage and efficiency in our homes and in the workplace.

The ‘Powering the Nation’ study into the nation’s energy usage was carried out by the Energy Saving Trust and the Department of Energy and Climate Change and outlined that a number of households are leaving appliances switched on standby which effectively uses the same amount of energy when appliances are switched on.

According to a recent study by the Telegraph, which monitored 250 homes, it was discovered that the amount of television people watch has increased from 5 to 6 hours. This increase shows that people prefer to stay indoors as opposed to socialising in order to save money.

In terms of appliances, households are spending the most money on entertainment such as televisions and DVD players and homeowners that use a dishwasher tend to use double the electricity that it would cost to run a washing machine through a cycle.

Buying an energy efficient appliance could help to reduce this cost, whilst you could also be more proactive when it comes to turning your appliances off.

Investing in an energy saving vacuum cleaner could be a great purchase, as it is likely to be an appliance that you could use at least once a week, if not a couple of times!

According to Energy Savings Trust, lighting our homes accounts for 20% of our average bill so buying energy saving flood lights for your outside walls or garden or even an energy saving lamp fitting could help you to save money each year.

However you choose to save, there is a wealth of products that will help you to be cost-effective and ensure that you are not contributing to household wastage.

Here at Electric Point we have a wide range of energy saving products that will prevent your home from contributing to energy wastage.