The Green Room by The GreenAge

A new Government scheme has launched called the Green Homes Grant which will help homeowners in England improve the energy efficiency of their properties via a £5,000 grant. The grant can be used for a whole range of energy saving improvements including double-glazing, loft insulation, solid wall insulation and floor insulation. Improving the thermal efficiency of the envelope of the property (floor, walls and roof) in our opinion is the best way to help lower homeowner's energy bills and also reach the Governments ambitious energy targets. In total, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak has put aside £2 billion for the Green Homes Grant scheme, meaning a minimum of 400,000 homeowners in England should benefit. It is expected that everyone will be able to apply for this grant – it will not be means tested. The Scheme is due to run until the end of March 2021.

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them about electric boilers? We're answering all your burning electric boiler questions. Are gas boilers still legal? Are electric boilers better for the environment? Is an electric boiler more expensive than gas? Should I swap my central heating for an electric boiler? _________________________________________________________________________________________________   HOW DO ELECTRIC BOILERS DIFFER FROM GAS ONES? The short answer to this is that they use different methods of heating water. A gas boiler takes in gas from the national network supply and burns it to produce heat. This then goes through a heat exchanger, which heats the water used for both your central heating and hot water. With an electric boiler, it's a similar process but instead of burning natural gas to create heat, an electric boiler heats the water using power directly from an electricity source (almost always the national grid). It works a lot like a kettle. This means that electric boilers are actually significantly more efficient than their gas counterparts. Modern gas boilers can reach as high as 95% efficiency (or even higher), but electric boilers can reach 100% efficiency. However there are a lot of issues with electric boilers that don't come up with gas boilers. In this podcast, we explain the benefits and drawback or electric boilers, and discuss the governments move towards this type of water and space heating.   _________________________________________________________________________________________________   Read More: The Green Age: Electric Boilers - https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/tech/electric-boilers/ The Best Electric Boilers 2020 - https://www.boilerguide.co.uk/articles/best-electric-boilers Gas boilers could be banned from all homes by 2050 - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/02/08/homeowners-could-forced-replace-gas-boilers-ensure-uk-meets/

The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them about Big Energy Saving Week 2020? We're digging deep into one of energy's biggest events of the year this episode, and giving our own take on the top tips that BESW20 published in aid of the event. From tariff switching to taps, we're taking a closer look at which energy saving measures really do work.   _________________________________________________________________________________________________   WHAT IS BIG ENERGY SAVING WEEK 2020? Big Energy Saving Week is a national campaign to help people cut their energy bills and get all the financial support they are entitled to. This year it is running between 20th-27th January, and you can get involved on social media using the hashtag #BEST20.   WHO IS BIG ENERGY SAVING WEEK TARGETING? Everybody! BESW20 is al about getting people aware of their energy use and thinking about their habits. This year, there is a special focus of 4 major groups: people using electric heating, people in debt to their energy suppliers, people with hard-to-heat homes, and anyone that doesn't have full access to the internet. These are the groups reckoned to be in the most need of energy saving and general energy advice, but really BESW20 is for everyone.   WHAT IS HAPPENING DURING BIG ENERGY SAVING WEEK 2020? There's plenty going on this week to get involved with! Citizens Advice are holding events around the country for people to go and get free energy saving advice. There are also plenty of resources that have been produced, including lectures, social media, and a whole lot of content. Don't forget to use the #BESW20 hashtag to be part of the conversation!   _________________________________________________________________________________________________   Read More: 20 Ways to Save Big Energy Saving Week 2020 official website Big Energy Saving Week 2020 on the Energy Saving Trust 100 Ways To Save Energy In Your Home Where Can I Get Advice on Saving Energy?

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them your questions about bills, energy, and the environment? We're back for 2020 and we're answering all the questions you asked while we were away. We cover insulation, triple glazing, the DECC, and celebrate the 2019 energy mix. If you have questions about energy saving, we have the answers. _________________________________________________________________________________________________   WHAT IS DECC? DECC is the Department of Energy & Climate Change, a now defunct department of the British government. Controversially, DECC was scrapped and became part of Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy in July 2016. We're wondering if it's likely to come back any time soon.   WHAT IS TRIPLE GLAZING? Put simply, triple glazing is 3 panes of glass instead of 1 or 2. The claim is that by having an extra pane, you will increase efficiency and reduce noise. We already know that double glazing makes a significant improvement over single glazing, but even so, upgrading from single to double glazing takes a long time to pay back in terms of energy efficiency. So would making the jump to triple glazing make that much of a difference?   WHAT IS A U-VALUE? The U-value signifies the heat lost through a given thickness of a particular material. You don't really need to understand the mechanics of how it is calculated; instead it is useful to be able to compare different substances by their U-values. The lower the U-value is, the better the material is as a heat insulator.   WHAT IS THE UK'S ENERGY MIX? We haven't had the full figures released yet for the last quarter of the year, but the first part of 2019 saw a significant shift towards renewbles, providing 38.9% of our electricity. Nuclear provided 18.4%, gas 38.8%, oil 2.9%, and coal 1%.  _________________________________________________________________________________________________   Read More: Internal and Cavity Wall Insulation (The Insulation Masterclass Series Pt 3) Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Triple glazing – Is it worth it? Should I get external wall insulation on cavity walls?

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them what is causing your energy bills? We're looking at energy guzzlers today, aka energy vampires. It's all about appliances this week, and how much energy they use. We cover heating, washing, and more. There is also a significant amount of discussion about tea. _________________________________________________________________________________________________   SOME TOP TIPS TO SAVE ENERGY Familiarise yourself with your heating controls! A bit of fiddling can make a big difference to your bills. Dropping your thermostat by just one degree should save £60 over the course of a year.  Switch to efficient LED lighting. In halogen bulbs, 90% of the electricity used is given off as heat, and only 10% as light. With LEDs, this figure is reversed, making them far more efficient. Heating hot water is an expensive business, so try to limit your usage. Avoid electric convection heating – electricity costs 4x as much as gas. If your property is off-gas, you have other options. Infrared, for example, is powerful and efficient. Don't wash your clothes at unnecessarily high temperatures. A 40°C wash uses a third less energy than a 60°C cycle. Also, be sure to fill up your washing machine every time you use it. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read More: Winter-proof your home and save energy 100 ways to save energy in your home Which appliances use the most energy? The cost of leaving appliances in standby mode

The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them about the upcoming UK general election. James, Nick and Harri are today discussing the political agendas of all the main political parties, and getting to the bottom of what we're being promised. How soon can we be carbon neutral? How many trees should we be planting? How much should we be investing on improving the energy efficiency of our buildings?   _________________________________________________________________________________________________   WHAT ARE THE BIG ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ISSUES FACING US IN THE 2019 UK GENERAL ELECTION?   Cutting emissions All the main parties want the UK to move toward being carbon neutral, but they have very different timelines on when they think we can achieve this.   Improving UK housing stock A huge number of buildings in the UK are woefully underinsulated, making them very inefficient with energy. Politicians are aiming to tackle this in many different ways, with wildly different levels of priority and expenditure, and significantly different focuses.   Transportation Whether it's investing more in cycle lanes and buses, or ending the sale of petrol and diesel car in favour of electric vehicles, the future of the British transportation and how it affects the environment is a policy for all the parties.   Renewable energy There's a lot of variation between the party positions here, including policies on nuclear power, wind farms, fracking, and more. Where does our energy come from and what should we be investing in? _________________________________________________________________________________________________   Read the Party Manifestos: Conservatives Labour Liberal Democrats Green Party SNP Plaid Cymru

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them about Labour's proposed energy policy? We're getting into election fever this week, talking through the newly announced energy policies of the Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party. What is the ‘Warm Homes For All' plan, and will it work? Is it just another Green Deal?   Subscribe: Itunes - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-green-room-by-the-greenage/id1450172106 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0mrSwzL4dKtNhm90fUEo63 Sticher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/greenage/the-green-room-by-the-greenage Podbean - https://thegreenage.podbean.com/   _________________________________________________________________________________________________   By 2030, Labour plans to: Cut carbon emissions by 10% – the equivalent of 72% of the emissions of all the cars in the UK. Prevent 1,500 deaths from cold and up to 560,000 cases of asthma due to reduced damp. Bring energy bills of 9.6 million low income households down by an average of £417 per year. Eradicate the vast majority of fuel poverty by the mid-2020s, benefiting the 1.14 million elderly people and one quarter of single parents currently living in fuel poverty. Create an estimated 250,000 skilled jobs in the construction industry like insulation specialists, plasterers, carpenters, electricians, gas engineers, builders and window fitters – with the quality of work and rights at work guaranteed. The investment will generate another 200,000 jobs across the economy. _________________________________________________________________________________________________   Read more:  Warm Homes for All -  Am I in Fuel Poverty? -  Labour plans to make 27m homes energy efficient

What happens when you put not two, but three energy experts in a room and ask them all about energy performance certificates? Today's episode is a full A to Z of EPC, most domestic and commercial. We have special guest Alan Bouquet in the studio today from London-EPC, answering all our EPC questions. There's also a tangent about nuclear power, and James wears another neon polo shirt. Visit London-EPC _________________________________________________________________________________________________   Energy Performance Certificates were introduced by the government back in 2007 for both domestic and commercial properties. They are designed to give a reflection of the energy efficiency of a building, based on various factors such as the insulation present, heating systems, glazing and any renewables.   WHAT DOES AN EPC INVOLVE? A qualified energy assessor will need to come and visit a property to produce an EPC, taking measurements and photos. The assessor will then put the information into a software package, which creates the EPC document. The EPC is ‘lodged' onto a government EPC register, where you can find any property in the UK.   WHEN DO YOU NEED AN EPC? The EPC is required when you are selling a property, or when you are letting it. It can also be requested for various government schemes, and from institutions like banks when applying for a mortgage.   _________________________________________________________________________________________________   Read more:  Does my EPC rating affect my house price? 5 Cheapest Ways to Increase your EPC Rating Introduction to EPCs What is MEES? An Introduction to Non-Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them what the cheapest way is to heat your homes? With the cold approaching fast, we've put together a guide to the cheapest heating systems around. We're judging these heatings systems on install and running costs, as well as looking at their environmental impact. Related Episodes Episode 25: Boilers 101 Episode 4: What's the Cheapest Electric Heating? Subscribe: Itunes Spotify Sticher Podbean _________________________________________________________________________________________________ WET CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS By far the most common form of heating in the UK is a wet system, using a boiler and radiators. The boilers come in many different types, but almost all of them work on the same principle of burning gas/oil/wood to heat water, which is then fed through pipework into radiators and/or underfloor heating systems around your home. ELECTRIC HEATING SYSTEMS Just like wet systems, electric heating uses conduction for transfer heat from one source to another. However, electric heating systems rarely use water to fill radiators, and tend to instead use electricity to directly power heating element and warm the room that way. All electric heating systems are slightly different, and there's a lot of debate about which is the cheapest way to heat a home, so we've gone through them all here. That includes more alternative forms of electric heating, such as heat pumps, and infrared heating. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read more: A Beginners Guide to Boilers What Kind of Boiler Do I Have? -  Should I replace my conventional boiler with a combi? What is the Cheapest Electric Heater to Run? Gas Distribution Network

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them all about boilers and home heating? We're looking forward to winter this week, and that means we're talking all things central heating. In this episode we demystify boilers, taking you through each different type of boiler, along with their pros and cons. Scroll down for a simple summary of boilers and hot water systems.   _________________________________________________________________________________________________   COMBI BOILER Usually the boiler of choice for flats or small houses with only one bathroom, since it doesn't require a hot water tank. If you have a small property, it's an incredibly convenient boiler system, but won't work for larger families. SYSTEM BOILER System boilers use a hot water tank in an airing cupboard to store hot water. As a sealed, pressurised system, these boilers can provide hot water to several outlets at the same time, operating at the same water pressure as your mains flow.. CONVENTIONAL BOILER Also known as regular boilers, traditional boilers, or open vent boilers. These use a dual tank gravity system to create the water pressure. You can use multiple outlets at once, but they take up a lot of space and are limited by the positioning of the tanks. OTHER HOT WATER SYSTEMS Back Boiler: A type of conventional boiler but with a gas space heater fire at the back. They're no longer available in the UK due to inefficiency. Biomass Boiler: Instead of using gas to produce the heat, biomass boilers combust sustainable wood pellets. They also qualify for the RHI government funding scheme. Oil/LPG Boiler: Work the same as normal boilers, but fuel used is stored on site rather than coming off ‘the grid'. Fairly reliable, but relatively expensive and very bad for the environment. Electric Boiler: An electric boiler can be used in off-grid areas, or where a gas supply is either not wanted or not possible. However, they are very expensive to run. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Boiler: Acts as micro power plants by providing your hot water, but also using the wasted energy to generate electricity to use around the home. Instantaneous Hot Water Points: They work the same way as electric showers, heating the water at the point of use. Only really used in outhouses or garden sheds, etc.   _________________________________________________________________________________________________   Read more:  An Introduction to Gas Boilers What Kind of Boiler Do I Have? Should I replace my conventional boiler with a combi? Gas Distribution Network

The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them how to prepare for winter? The weather is starting to cool a little, and we want you to be prepared. In this episode we take you through the best things you can do to save money on your heating and electric bills this winter. We also discuss some of the funding schemes you may be able to benefit from. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE GREENAGE'S TOP TIPS TO SAVE MONEY THIS WINTER - Get your boiler serviced before everyone else. A healthy boiler will serve you well all winter. - Invest in a cylinder jacket for your hot water tank so that your hot water stays hotter for longer. It's worth insulating cold water jackets too to prevent them from freezing. - Bleed your radiators to ensure you get them working at maximum efficiency - Get to know your thermostat controls, and make sure all your radiators have thermostatic valves - Lag (insulate) your pipes to keep you hot water hot, save money, and prevent them freezing - Replace your lightbulbs with LEDs. Don't wait until they blow, you'll save more money by switching now - Draught proof your most frequently used rooms - consider doors, floors, and windows - Check the links below for more information on government subsidies and assistance. Some are automatic but some require you to apply. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read more: Warm Home Discount 2019/2020  Winter Fuel Payment  Ecoease Low Energy Bulbs  Thermostatic Radiator Valves

The Green Room: What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them about a plan to save the world? We've been doing our reading this week, looking at Project Drawdown, a research project based on halting climate change and saving our environment. On this episode, we're taking you through the top 10 most impactful global changes we could make. PROJECT DRAWDOWN _________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1: REFRIGERANT MANAGEMENT 89.74GT CO2-EQ reduction by 2050 Uknown Net Cost (Billion USD) $-902.77 Savings (Billion USD) 2: WIND TURBINES (ONSHORE) 84.6GT CO2-EQ reduction by 2050 $1.23 Net Cost (Trillion USD) $7.43 Savings (Trillion USD) 3. REDUCEDFOOD WASTE 70.53GT CO2-EQ reduction by 2050 Unknown Net Cost (USD) Unknown Savings (USD) 4. PLANT-RICH DIET 66.11GT CO2-EQ reduction by 2050 Unknown Net Cost (USD) Unknown Savings (USD) 5. TROPICAL FORESTS 61.23GT CO2-EQ reduction by 2050 Unknown Net Cost (USD) Unknown Savings (USD) 6. & 7. EDUCATING GIRLS & FAMILY PLANNING 102.96 CO2-EQ reduction by 2050 Unknown Net Cost (USD) Unknown Savings (USD) 8. SOLAR FARMS 36.9GT CO2-EQ reduction by 2050 $-80.6 Net Cost (Billion USD) $5.02 Savings (Trillion USD) 9. SILVOPASTURE 31.19GT CO2-EQ reduction by 2050 $41.59 Net Cost (Billion USD) $699.37 Savings (Billion USD) 10. ROOFTOP SOLAR 24.6GT CO2-EQ reduction by 2050 $453.14 Net Cost (Billion USD) $3.46 Savings (Trillion USD) _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read more: Refrigerant Management Wind Turbines (Onshore) Reduced Food Waste Plant-Rich Diet Tropical Forests Educating Girls Family Planning Solar Farms Silvopasture Food Rooftop Solar

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them what the are with renewable energy? This week, we're playing devil's advocate. We love renewable energy, but this weeks episode is all about understanding how it works, and what limitations we have to work around if the UK is truly going to become carbon neutral. If you want to know more about the current state of renewable energy in the UK, go to Episode 21, where we take you through where our renewable energy actually comes from. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ INTERMITTENCY Without a doubt, the biggest problem with mainstream renewable energy is intermittency. Wind power is only generated when it's windy, solar power is only generated when it's sunny. This creates several fundamental issues. SPACE & EFFICIENCY Here's the thing about most renewable forms of energy: they're horribly inefficient. That's why we need huge solar farms and hundreds of wind turbines and massive biocrop fields. One of the issues, if you think about scaling up our renewables, is where we're going to put them. COST One of the great things about renewable energy is that the sun, the wind, and water currents are all free. That means that, theoretically, these kinds of technologies are one-time costs. In reality, the initial outlay can be huge and the continued costs can be far more than you might expect. ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE By far the biggest argument for switching to renewable energy is that we need to save the planet and stop relying on technologies that poison our atmosphere. But what is the carbon footprint of building a wind turbine, or transporting biofuel, or disposing of a defunct solar panel? And what is the impact on the local environment? _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read more: Where Does UK Renewable Energy Come From? Introduction to Solar PV Introduction to Wind Turbines Introduction to Hydroelectric Power Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) The Truth About Nuclear Power Swansea Tidal Lagoon Redesign Germany's energy consumption and power mix in charts Falling costs of solar panels

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them how the UK makes its renewable energy? In our latest episode, we dig deep into the numbers and recent trends, and take you through all of the UK's biggest renewable energy sources. We check out their benefits and drawbacks, and how the government plans to increase our renewable energy generation in the coming years. ----more----Wind Wind power is, in many ways, the bedrock of UK renewable power. On a very basic level a wind turbine comprises of rotor blades positioned at the top of very high towers. They spin as the wind hits them, which produces electricity. Recent decades have seen anti-wind turbine sentiments abate significantly, and they're currently our biggest source of renewable electricity, accounting for 18% of UK energy.  Biomass Bioenergy is a bit of a blanket term that essentially covers any gas, electricity or transport fuel generated from organic matter. That means plants, timber, agricultural & food waste, and even sewage. The really big advantage of bioenergy is that it is a lot more flexible than most renewable energies. Solar Solar power has long been one of the big hitters in the renewables world, at least partly because it does so well in global technology hotspots like California and China. In terms of our reliance on solar panels, it's low compared wind and bioenergy, sitting just below 4% in 2018, but we're certainly no slouch – we are still in the top 10 global producers of solar energy.  Hydroelectric There are a few different types of hydroelectric power generators, but in essence, hydroelectric uses flowing water to spin a turbine, generating electricity. It's a little difficult, because it requires specific natural features to take advantage of, but we do have several hydroelectric plants in the UK. There are more hydro projects planned for the future, but they come with a hefty price tag which may make them difficult to complete. Read more: Where Does UK Renewable Energy Come From Introduction to Solar PV Introduction to Wind Turbines Introduction to Hydroelectric Power   Electricity generation mix by quarter and fuel source Energy policy now and the direction it's headed Dinorwig Hydroeletic Power Station Shotwick Solar Park  

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them.... well, whatever you want? We've once again put your questions to James and Nick, from Government grants to ground source heat pumps. For more energy saving Q&A, see Episode 10! Check the description to jump to the questions you'd like to hear answered. ----more---- How much land space do I need for a GSHP? 2:26 How much of UK energy is renewable? 5:37 Do smart bulbs save you money? 7:24 When can I apply for the Warm Home Discount? 9:08 Does my landlord have an obligation to improve my insulation? 11:00 What is the best insulation for sound proofing? 13:12 What is fuel poverty? 15:58 Do I have to pay exit charges if I switch my energy supplier? 19:00 What are windstalkers? 20:29 Do electric showers save you money? 21:53 Why do we get told to worry about water shortages and water running out, but at the same time worry about flooding and rising sea levels? 23:10 Can I use foam insulation on internal walls? 25:14 I can't get gas, should I be heating with oil or electric? 28:50 We've bought a house with solar panels but the company that installed them (and got the payments) has gone out of business. Who owns the panels now? If we need them removed who will have to pay? 30:12 Does insulating paint actually work? 32:31 Where can I find a Domestic RHI Registered Investor in my area? 34:05 What thickness of external wall insulation should I get? 37:24 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read more: Introduction to Ground Source Heat Pumps Warm Home Discount 2019/2020 What are a Landlord's Energy Obligations? How can I soundproof my home? Do I Have to Pay Exit Fees for Switching my Energy Supplier? Windstalkers Domestic RHI Registered Investor Fuel mix disclosure data tables Help from your energy supplier: the Affordable Warmth Obligation

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them all about electric cars? This week we're going through the many different kinds of electric vehicles, with all of their pros and cons. From Tesla to Toyota, from hybrids to hydrogen cells, we take you through everything you need to know about electric vehicles; how they work, and which type is right for you. Watch it on YouTube! ----more---- WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE? Battery Electric Cars (BEV) The pure electric car, with rechargeable batteries and no gas engine. Some examples are the Nissan leaf, and Tesla X. “Standard” Hybrid Electric Cars (HEV) Composed of two engines - a conventional combustion engine with an electric propulsion system. These kinds of hybrids don't plug in, the electric component comes from regenerative braking. Examples include the Toyota Prius Hybrid and the Honda Civic Hybrid. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) PHEVs are hybrids that can recharge the battery through both regenerative braking and plugging into an external source of electrical power. The Chevy Volt and Fiat 500e are both PHEV's. Extended Range Electric Cars (E-REV) Very similar to PHEVs, but rather than using both engine types to power the vehicle, E-REVs rely exclusively on the electric propulsion system. The electric motor always drives the wheels, with the internal combustion engine acting as a generator to recharge the battery when it is depleted. Examples of E-REVs include the Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Completely different to all the cars above, but definitely worth discussing. FCEVs are powered by an electric motor, which is charged-up by combining hydrogen and oxygen to create a chemical reaction. There are only 3 available on the UK market, and they are the Hyundai's ix35, the Toyota Mirai and the Honda FCV Clarity.     Read more: Choosing the Right Type of Electric Car Electric car FAQs A Beginners Guide to Fuel Cells 5 Reasons to Install an EV Home Charging Point   Low-emission vehicles eligible for a plug-in grant Electric vehicle charging grants

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them to get to the bottom of nuclear power. We take you through all the big questions of nuclear power. Doesn't nuclear waste harm the environment? Isn't nuclear power expensive? Aren't nuclear plants dangerous? GreenAge, are you crazy?! We're discussing it all. ----more----   HOW DOES NUCLEAR POWER WORK? Nuclear power is complicated because it creates energy at the atomic level, and there are several different types of nuclear reactor. In laymans terms, we split atoms to create heat, which we use to boil water, which creates steam, that we use to turn turbines, and create electricity. WHAT ARE THE DEBATES AROUND NUCLEAR POWER? The safety of using nuclear power and the dangers if something were to go wrong. We look at the tragedies of Chernobyl and Fukushima and compare them to the loss of life associated with other energy sources. The environmental impact of nuclear power is another hotly debated topic, so we go through the lifecycle of the nuclear reactor. Our third big talking point for nuclear power is all about the dangers of nuclear reactors in the wrong hands. The threat of terrorism is a huge deterrent against nuclear power for many people, as is the danger that the use of nuclear energy may lead to many more nuclear weapons. We talk through why this may not necessarily be true. _________________________________________________________________________________________________   Read more: The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation: Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation World Health Organisation: Air Pollution Michael Shellenberger: Why I changed my mind about nuclear power David MacKay: A reality check on renewables 10 Reasons to Oppose Nuclear Energy The unpalatable truth is that the anti-nuclear lobby has misled us all

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them their top tips for energy saving this summer? The weather is hotting up and so are we as we ask what are the best ways to stay cool and save energy in these (sometimes) sunny months, which energy-saving renovations are best done now, and what projects you can do yourself. We also discuss some more.... experimental ideas

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them what is replacing the Feed-in Tariff? The Smart Export Guarantee is a new policy that the government has announced to force energy companies to create competitive export tariffs for renewable energy. It's a big change for the industry and we have a lot of opinions about it!----more----   WHAT WAS THE FEED-IN TARIFF? The Feed-in Tariff was a government subsidy scheme designed to reward homeowners and businesses for microgeneration of renewable energy. It worked by measuring the generation and export levels of various technologies (mosts notably solar panels) and paying out for both. It closed for new applications in April 2019. WHAT IS THE SMART EXPORT GUARANTEE? The Smart Expert Guarantee is a government scheme that was announced in January 2019 and designed to replace the Feed-in Tariff, though it's not up and running yet. It shares a lot of similarities with the Feed-in Tariff but has a few key differences: The Smart Export Guarantee will not pay for generation Large energy suppliers will have to pay for your exported energy The energy suppliers will set the price You'll need a smart meter Installations made now will be eligible when it starts _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read more: A Replacement to the Feed-In Tariff? The Future for Small-Scale Low-Carbon Generation Introduction to the Feed-in Tariff Introduction to Solar PV

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them to explain the mysterious world of U-values? Oh yes, you guessed it, this week we delve even deeper into the wonderful world of insulation calculations and what they mean for you. Why do you need a U-value and why doesn't it matter? More importantly, what is why and how do you figure it out?! After that, we discuss the climate change protests sweeping the UK and James drops a B-bomb on Nick. You've been warned, watchers! WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE ----more---- WHAT IS A U-VALUE? The U-value signifies the heat lost through a given thickness of a particular material. The best insulating materials have a U-value of close to zero – the lower the better. The environmental temperatures inside and outside a building play an important role when calculating the U-value of an element. WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM U-VALUE REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW BUILDS? Wall – 0.3 W/m2k Roof – 0.15 W/m2k Windows – 1.6 W/m2k HOW CAN I GET AN OFFICIAL U-VALUE CALCULATION FOR MY PROJECT? Get in touch with the GreenAge. Give us a call on 0208 144 0897 or send an email to mailbox@thegreenage.co.uk and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. e it written about all the often, water source heat pumps are indeed part of the RHI scheme. In all the paperwork they fall under the umbrella of a ground source heat pump, but this is very poorly explained so it's often missed. SOLAR THERMAL Also known as solar heating, solar thermal harnesses the energy provided by the sun to provide thermal energy to heat water. Only flat plate and evacuated tube solar panel systems are eligible. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read more: Getting to Grips with U-Values Thermal conductivity, R-Values and U-Values simplified How can I improve the thermal comfort of my home? Demystifying U-values and their effect on the heating demand of your house

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them to explain the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)? This week's episode features one of the government's biggest domestic subsidies for eco-friendly heating. That means biomass boilers, heat pumps, and solar thermal. James and Nick take you through how to apply, what the requirements are, and delve into the nitty-gritty of how much you can expect to be paid. WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE ----more---- WHAT IS THE RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVE (RHI)? The Renewable Heat Incentive, or RHI, was announced in 2008 as part of the Energy Act, although it didn't come in to effect until 2014. It's a government subsidy designed to reward smallscale renewable heating systems across England, Scotland and Wales. There's a commercial arm to it as well, but we're drilling down on the Domestic RHI in this article. BIOMASS BOILERS Biomass boilers use essentially the same as the gas boilers that you'd find in 80% of UK homes, except that fuel source is provided by small, sustainably sourced wood pellets. AIR-TO-WATER HEAT PUMPS Air source heat pumps use the ambient heat found in the air outside your house and compress it using electricity. This compression causes the extracted warmth to heat up further and then be released into your home. Only air-to-water heat pumps are eligible for the RHI. GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS Similar to air source heat pumps, but a ground source heat pump pulls the heat from the ground, making it a whole lot more efficient. Ground source heat pumps require extensive pipework and a lot of open land, however once installed they are one of our favourite ways to heat your home. WATER SOURCE HEAT PUMPS Though you don't see it written about all the often, water source heat pumps are indeed part of the RHI scheme. In all the paperwork they fall under the umbrella of a ground source heat pump, but this is very poorly explained so it's often missed. SOLAR THERMAL Also known as solar heating, solar thermal harnesses the energy provided by the sun to provide thermal energy to heat water. Only flat plate and evacuated tube solar panel systems are eligible. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read more: The Renewable Heat Incentive Explained Tariffs and payments: Domestic RHI Introduction to Biomass Boilers Introduction to Heat Pumps Introduction to Solar Thermal

  What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them all about insulation? Our Insulation Masterclass Series rounds off with all the things we didn't cover before. That's right, in one episode we get through windows, conservatories, floors, doors, roofs, pipes, and more. WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE ----more---- Roofs - 3:45 Windows - 12:20 Doors - 21:25 Conservatories - 26:15 Floors - 32:42 Pipes & hot water tanks - 38:50 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read more: Guide to Double Glazing Magnetic Secondary Glazing -  How to keep your conservatory warm in winter-  Introduction to floor insulation Should I buy insulated doors? Introduction to floor insulation Water Tank and Pipe Insulation

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them all about insulating walls? Part 3 of our Insulation Masterclass Series is carrying on with walls wall walls. This time we're delving deep into cavity wall insulation and warming up with internal insulation. We talk advantages, disadvantages, costs, damp spots, and more. ----more---- Internal Wall Insulation Internal wall insulation is a great option in solid wall properties where external insulation is not practical or permissible; for example in listed buildings, conservation areas, where you wish to preserve the look of the building, where access restricts external work, or in flats. There are a couple of methods to insulate a solid wall internally and all will decrease the floorspace of a room (as per the thickness of the insulation board or stud wall you use). We recommend getting a professional in to complete this type of work, and you do not undertake it as a DIY job unless you are very experienced. Cavity Wall Insulation A home can lose as much as 35% of its heat through uninsulated external walls. By investing in cavity wall insulation, you can significantly reduce the heat loss from your home. The concept of insulating a cavity wall is really very simple – it involves filling the cavity between the two skins of masonry bricks with an insulating material, which slows the movement of heat through the wall. Maintaining the heat inside your home keeps you warm and cosy when you need to be. It also works in reverse by keeping your house cooler in the summer months. Problem with Cavity Wall Insulation In the 1980s, building regulations stipulated that insulation should be installed during the construction of new buildings. As soon as these regulations came into play, it became clear there were a huge number of slightly older properties that could also benefit from this type of insulation; however the only way to get the insulation into the cavity once the property was built was to inject it. Since the materials were cheap and the installation process was relatively simple, the Government really pushed the measure. Thousands of small installer companies popped up, knowing they could install the insulation in people's homes and be well paid for the work. As a result, any property with an unfilled cavity was targeted, regardless whether it was suitable or not – so obviously issues occurred. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read more: An introduction to internal solid wall insulation An introduction to cavity wall insulation External Wall Insulation versus Internal Wall insulation 5 reasons to get cavity wall insulation The Problems with Cavity Wall Insulation

What happens when you put two energy experts in a room and ask them all about external wall insulation? The second instalment of our Insulation Masterclass Series is all about those pesky solid walls and how to keep them warm. We talk every external wall insulation - how much it costs, how to do it, and whether it's right for you. ----more---- What is external wall insulation? If your house was built prior to the 1930s, the chances are that it will have solid walls – simply a solid layer of masonry bricks. Insulating your walls – regardless of whether they are cavity or solid (or even timber-framed) – is a great way to make your home more energy efficient. The insulation will minimise heat loss in the winter, saving you money on your heating bills. It will also stop your home getting too warm in the summer, helping to keep your home at a more comfortable temperature. What are the advantages of external wall insulation? - Compared to internal insulation, there is much less disruption to the household, as the work is carried out outside - Renews your home's external appearance and increases the lifetime of the brickwork - Complements other refurbishment work - An opportunity to fill cracks and holes in the brickwork, which will help reduce draughts(see Draught Proofing for more information) What are the disadvantages of external wall insulation? - More expensive than internal insulation - Planning permission may be required - Any work needs to comply with local building regulation - May not solve all damp issues - Work is not recommended if the building is not structurally sound How much does external wall insulation cost? The cost of solid wall insulation is roughly £100/m2, so it is not cheap. However, it can be really worthwhile in the long run. While government grants have now been wound down, there are occasionally local council grants available for eligible people, so it is worth checking. Also, some companies will offer finance. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read more: An Introduction to Solid Wall Insulation What is External Wall Insulation Made From? Are there any downsides to external wall insulation? Is external wall insulation safe? EWI Store

We put your questions to James and Nick, from solar panels and boiler efficiency to wind turbines and external wall insulation. Check the description to jump to the questions you'd like to hear answered. Jump to: What is the difference between solar PV and thermal? 1:40 How do I know if I have a cavity wall and whether or not it's insulated? 3:20 How can I find out my boiler's efficiency level? 5:15 Are free solar panels a good idea? 8:18 Is external wall insulation dangerous? 9:52 It is cheaper to keep my heating on all the time? 12:48 Should I replace my conventional boiler with a combi? 15:45 What is the difference between a vented and unvented cylinder system? 17:17 Should I get a wind turbine on my property? 18:15 Who should I contact to get gas connected to my property? 19:28 How do thermostatic radiator valves work? 22:01 Where can I get a new back boiler? 24:22 Can I get an air source heat pump for free? 25:40 What is the cheapest kind of insulation for lofts? 28:08  

We're talking warm lofts, cold lofts, big lofts, small lofts, and all lofts in between. What kind of loft insulation should you use? How should you install it? Is loft insulation worth it? Loft insulation is a fantastic insulation measure, cheap to install and easy to put in the attic area. Without proper loft insulation, a lot of the warmth produced by your heating system escapes through the roof of your property; in fact, as much as 25% of the heat in an uninsulated house is lost in this way. Loft insulation acts as a barrier, slowing the movement of heat out of the property during the winter and into the property during the summer.

What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them about the plastic crisis? James and Nick spend the show debating the economics of plastics, the realities of plastic recycling, the problems that plastic pollution is causing to our global ecosystem, and what people are doing to try to tackle it.

What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them everything they know about lighting? This week Nick and James discuss how LED's work and what sets them apart, as well as exactly how much money you could save with them, and how much LED lighting can change your EPC. We also discuss Cold Weather Payments and how you might be eligible to make money from the cold weather.

What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them if the smart meter rollout is really worth it? In this episode Nick and James talk smart meters; pros & cons of having one installed, and some of the challenges being experienced in the current government roll-out. Later, they tackle the curse of the cold conservatory and how to retrofit some warmer solutions.

What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them their top tips to save money on your energy bills? This week Nick and James are talking all things thrifty to save you money and tackle those rising bills. They also cover what to do if your energy company goes bust, why we should be worried about the Wylfa Newydd nuclear plant, and how James uses cling film to keep his house warm and his bills low.

What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them to explain the different types of electric heating? This week Nick and James take a closer look at what electric heating is, how much it costs, what the cheapest way to install and run electric heating is. We also feature Marino Morikawa and his lake clean-up technology...

What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them how Theresa May's new energy price cap works? This week Nick and James look behind the numbers at the Tory's controversial new energy price cap, and debate whether it really is benefiting the people it claims to...

What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and ask them to explain how your energy bills work? This week James and Nick demystify the many types tariff and attempt to get to the bottom of the question 'what is the best energy tariff?'

What happens when you put two sustainability experts in a room and get them to discuss the cost efficiency of solar power? In our first podcast, Nick and James talk about Solar PV and whether it is worth getting as we head into 2019. We also look at the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), energy performance certificates (EPCs), the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), and more.