It appears that in life there are certain inevitabilities. One is that water will always flow downwards, flame will always rise upwards and in the UK the winters will always be cold and getting colder. Last winter was one of the coldest in UK history and most families are now gratefully emerging into spring with major energy bills to remind them of the winter months.

Lessons have to be learned, and one of them has to be is that the time to prepare for winter is now, and not in six months time or more. The Government’s boiler replacement scheme is working at full force, and the first generation “A “boilers have begun to be installed for those eligible and forward thinking enough to take advantage of this very generous offer, and especially the top-ups provided by British Gas.

Not everyone needs to upgrade e their boiler to get their homes ready for winter, and there are a few other measures that they can take to keep their fuel bills under control while enjoying a warm home next winter.  The most fundamental step is to take all the necessary steps to ensure that the heating systems in your home are operating to their maximum.  When the winter months come, and the rain or snow is beating outside, you don’t want to find yourself playing with your heating systems once the temperatures drop below freezing. Instead call out a certified British Gas engineer to check out your boilers and pipes to see make sure that everything is in order.

One of the most basic steps to take is to ensure sure that your house is properly insulated, especially potentially drafty areas like attics or basements. Ensure that all windows and doors are sealed properly. Hinged and sliding doors can be especially problematic. To make sure that no cold air is entering your home from the outside, they should be totally weather proofed. Cold air allowed to enter a property on winter will add considerably to your heating costs as well as creating additional problems like mold and mildew, which can seriously damage the structure if left unattended.

Another potential weak link is your water pipes drainage system. Pipes need to be lagged to prevent from bursting, when temperatures drop below freezing. Even if the heating system is working properly, if there is no water reaching it, it will be unable to do its job, and another long, cold and lonely winter will ensue.

When we install a central heating system, we ensure it fits around the demands of your lifestyle. By installing our latest controls, you’ll have access to an intelligent heating system that reacts to changes in temperature and provides different levels of warmth in each room, as well as giving you hot water whenever you need it. It is this passion for only installing the best, most adaptable systems at affordable prices that has earned us such an outstanding.

This article was provided by http://www.britishgasboilers.co.uk/replacement-boiler.htm

Tags: Boiler, Boiler Replacement, Boiler Scrappage Scheme, British Gas

One of the most important parts of a home’s comfort system is its main control—the thermostat. The thermostat tells the home’s furnace and/or cooling system when to turn on and off as temperatures in the house or individual rooms fluctuate.

Essentially a heat-activated switch, a thermostat has a temperature sensor that causes the switch to open or close as the room warms or cools, completing or interrupting an electrical circuit that activates the furnace or cooling unit.

If your home has an older, non-programmable thermostat, consider replacing it with a fully programmable one. This is an essential tool for saving energy because you can use it to eliminate periods when the furnace or air conditioning unit may run unnecessarily. As its name implies, this type of thermostat can be programmed to maintain different temperatures during the day and night.

thermostat can be your ally in achieving energy savings during both winter and summer months. Here are some tips on how to use your thermostat wisely:

* Program it. If you don’t already have one, consider purchasing and installing a programmable thermostat. These devices allow you to adjust temps automatically throughout the day, letting you to keep things cooler or warmer when necessary and shutting off heating or AC when unnecessary.

Multiple settings let you get as specific as you’d like, with up to six variances daily and separate options for weekdays and weekends. By using a programmable thermostat, you can shave off as much as one-third of your energy bill. For more information, see Programmable Electronic Thermostats and How to Install a Programmable Thermostat.

* If you’ll be gone, make adjustments. If you know you’re going to be absent from your home for a few days or longer, raise the thermostat temperature (or just turn off your air conditioner completely) in the summer months, or, in winter, adjust your thermostat to 65 degrees or lower.

* Consider a matter of a degrees. Rarely is it necessary to set your thermostat lower than 78 degrees in the summer or higher than 68 degrees in the winter. A shift of only one degree can mean a difference of 2 percent on your energy bill.

* Resist the quick cool down. You know the scenario: You’ve just come inside from the 100-degree heat and you want instant relief. So you run to the thermostat and drop the temp down a couple degrees or more. Stop! This doesn’t result in a faster cool down; it only means unnecessary energy usage and wasted money for you.

* Keep heat away.  Make sure your thermostat is located far away from a significant heating source, such as a portable heater, incandescent lamp, or television. A thermostat placed near such a device will interpret that the higher temperature is reflective of the temperature of your whole house, leading to excessive air-conditioning usage.

Tags: Central Heating, Heating, thermostat

Most people in the UK have learned one thing from the last years of recession, and that is money doesn’t grow on trees. Pennies have to be saved and one of the many ways that it can be done is to discover ways to save money on electricity.  Saving electricity waste is a positive move in many ways, not just be reducing costs it also reduces environment damage, something that we should all be very aware of these days.

One of the reasons that prevents people from saving energy is that they have never really kept proper records of how much they use on an annual basis, and how their usage compares with the national average. For example, the average family of four in the UK will use around £2, 800 of electricity each year, which translates into 280 Kws annually at £10 pence per Kw.  Based on that ballpark figure, an average family should be able to assess how that is doing in terms of efficient electricity consumption. If they are using less, then keep it up. However, if they are using more, then it is time to discover where that excess use has gone, and what needs to be done to reduce it.

The next stage in ascertaining where the wastage is coming from is by taking a look at the average family electricity breakdown in percentages. The list below gives a fairly good idea.

Heating and Cooling  the home : 40%
Heating Water  : 12%
Lighting : 12%
Computers and Electronics : 10%
Appliances : 10%
Refrigeration : 8%
Other : 8%

However there is not a lot to be done about comparing and then reducing  your personal usage per category  as the electric companies, at least up to this point in time, cannot provide breakdowns in costs.

All that can be done is look at areas where wastage appears to be rife. Lights left burning, televisions, washing machines, dryers, electric toothbrushes and anything that seems to be being operated needlessly. All is fair in love and war, and the war against electricity wastage needs to be won. For the sake of the environment as well as your bank account. 

This article was provided by http://britishgasboilers.co.uk/gas-and-electricity.htm

Tags: British Gas, Electricty, energy costs, Fuel Bills, Saving electricity

When it comes to fridges and freezers the best idea is to take the long term view. That old fridge that you have been keeping around for so long and that you don’t want to change due to some misplaced sense of loyalty will probably be costing you a fortune. It may have a value of sorts, but the smart move would let someone else enjoy it, and treat you to a new and eco-friendly model that will use close to a third less of the energy of the existing bomber and returns its investment in a few years. 

Not many people are aware of this but fridges and freezers guzzle close to a fifth of the total energy consumption of an average household, so energy efficiency around the fridge and freezer is something that has to be looked at very closely. If you, like many other UK householder, step back in horror when your electricity bill arrives,  then  the time may well have come to take the necessary measures to ensure that your electricity outgoings do not give you a shock, but instead  contained within natural boundaries.

If that means doing away with your existing clunker, it is something that should be considered very seriously.  If you have changed you fridge/freezer within the last few years, and your bills are still high, then you may need to look at the problem from another angle entirely.  Many people make the mistake of buying a fridge that is too big for their demands. Obviously the larger the fridge the larger the energy consumed and a half empty fridge will find it more difficult to cool the items contained within and use more energy. 

Placing your fridge in the proper spot is also a very worthwhile idea.  For example, if your fridge is situated adjacent to a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher and especially and oven, the heat generating from these appliances will demand a lot more of the fridge to keep cool, pushing up energy consumption and costs.  A fridge that is exposed to the sun’s ray will also struggle to refrigerate its contents. If it all possible it would be best to place the family fridge in cool dry and secluded spot in your kitchen is ideal.

Keeping a constant eye on your fridge’s temperature will save a lot of energy. Remember that tweaking up the thermostat by a degree or so can make a major long term difference in costs. Each fridge/freezer has its own demands and it is a good idea to learn exactly which temperature levels it is most efficient at.  

Regular defrosting of the freezer compartment will reduce the build-up of frost around the coils in your unit, reducing the pressure on the compressor to achieve the colder temperatures. Keeping your freezer frost-free is really important and a key factor in keeping refrigeration costs under control.

Tags: dishwasher, dryer, energy costs, Energy Efficiency, freezer, fridge, washing machine

By the year 2012, the  UK Government’s Smart Meter scheme is due to be launched and  every UK  home will be fitted with its own meter which will stand out by having it s won easy-to-read monitor.  The importance of the meter installation has been overshadowed slightly by discussions of the wide range of advantages that self-reading digital monitoring that these smart meters will bring, and how much money they will save for the average householder. To begin with, the average cost per home to install a new smart meter will be just £15, while installing a smart meter today independently will mean a layout of at least £100.

It is expected that by the end of 2020 all 27 million homes in Britain, even the most remote, will be have been fitted with meters that will monitor electricity use.  Detailed information of every UK family’s energy use behaviour will be   use transmitted in real time to the supply companies who provide electricity on a localized basis. This information will then pass through an ever-widening series of data gathering points till it eventually reaches “big brother” – The Government’s Department of Energy. Sources say that the advantage of having access to national energy consumption will bring with it the ability to anticipate peak and troughs of demand.

From the consumers view point, estimates are that the average UK household will save around 2% of their average energy bills each year. The theory behind that piece of think was based on the projection that most families will be able to clearly see that see that they are going over their monthly budget and start to curtail their daily use of gas and electricity. Trials in the UK have stated many positive examples of energy savings, while there were widespread reports of people failing to take the meter reading exercise too seriously, with many not bothering to change the meter’s auxiliary batteries once they ran out.

On a larger scale, critics were no slow to point out that the  projected £8 billion scheme would only save around £30 for each of the 27 million families who ware due to be hooked up to the smart meters, meaning that it will take around ten years before the costs are recovered, with  most of them falling eventually on the consumer. 

This article was provided by http://www.britishgasboilers.co.uk

Tags: Boiler, British Gas, Energy Bills, Energy Efficiency, energy savings

By the year 2012, the  UK Government’s Smart Meter scheme is due to be launched and  every UK  home will be fitted with its own meter which will stand out by having it s won easy-to-read monitor.  The importance of the meter installation has been overshadowed slightly by discussions of the wide range of advantages that self-reading digital monitoring that these smart meters will bring, and how much money they will save for the average householder. To begin with, the average cost per home to install a new smart meter will be just £15, while installing a smart meter today independently will mean a layout of at least £100.

It is expected that by the end of 2020 all 27 million homes in Britain, even the most remote, will be have been fitted with meters that will monitor electricity use.  Detailed information of every UK family’s energy use behaviour will be   use transmitted in real time to the supply companies who provide electricity on a localized basis. This information will then pass through an ever-widening series of data gathering points till it eventually reaches “big brother” – The Government’s Department of Energy. Sources say that the advantage of having access to national energy consumption will bring with it the ability to anticipate peak and troughs of demand.

From the consumers view point, estimates are that the average UK household will save around 2% of their average energy bills each year. The theory behind that piece of think was based on the projection that most families will be able to clearly see that see that they are going over their monthly budget and start to curtail their daily use of gas and electricity. Trials in the UK have stated many positive examples of energy savings, while there were widespread reports of people failing to take the meter reading exercise too seriously, with many not bothering to change the meter’s auxiliary batteries once they ran out.

On a larger scale, critics were no slow to point out that the  projected £8 billion scheme would only save around £30 for each of the 27 million families who ware due to be hooked up to the smart meters, meaning that it will take around ten years before the costs are recovered, with  most of them falling eventually on the consumer.

Tags: Department of Energy, Electricty, Fuel, fuel consumption, Smart Meter scheme

The world is in a period of change as far as handling personal finances are concerned. The change as brought with it many advantages and fewer disadvantages and the person who learns how to use these advantages to their benefit will save time, inconvenience and money.

In recent years, energy supply companies have begun to implement a number of alternatives to the traditional method of paying bills” over the counter” either at the bank, post office or even at the company’s  local offices. This involved a lot of inconvenience for all concerned, with long queues, cash changing hands and many other negative features.

The energy companies like the direct debit method the most and is offering considerable incentives for UK householders to switch to this method.  This is because it is cheaper for them to process direct debit payments than it is cash or cheques, but the main reason is a direct debit payment is guaranteed, which means that they are happy to provide  incentivizes to  their customers to choose a direct debit payment plan.

They also base their thinking that as the UK public has made it very evident that they want help to lower their energy bills; they would take the time and trouble to learn about direct debits and what they can offer.  

In the beginning many consumers were found to be reluctant to set up a direct debit plan as they feared being overcharged and unable to receive credits if mistakes occurred. The energy companies, as one, have gone out of their way to ensure that if problems of this nature do occur, they are cleared up quickly and efficiently.

They have also invested a lot of time, thought and energy in laying out a very flexible direct debit scheme that will suit every budget and payment schedule. They run as follows:

Monthly Debit: This is where a fixed sum is deducted from a customer’s account based on assessment every month. At the end of a pre-agreed period the customer’s meter is read and any adjustments that need to be made are made.

Quarterly Debit: This is where a fixed sum is deducted from a customer’s account based on assessment every three months. The customer has to bear in mind that the sum of money to be debited is pre-paid and that they should have the funds in their account to cover the cost of the debit.  At the end of a pre-agreed period the customer’s meter is read and any adjustments that need to be made are made.

Variable Debit: This is where the amount needed to be paid for has been calculated according to meter readings. The customer has to make sure that there is sufficient money in the account in the case of significant variations.

Savings that can be made by paying through direct debits depends on the energy supplier and tariff you choose. The best way to learn how to save money by paying through direct debit is to contact British Gas, the UK’s leading energy supplier and discuss the matter with one of their online agents.

 For more information on saving money on fuel bills visit britishgasboilers.co.uk

Tags: Electric, electric bills, Fuel Bills, heating costs

Anyone who has been involved in the planning of a central heating system will know that that system has to have a heart. And that heart is the boiler.

Choosing which boiler best suits your needs, as every central heating system has its own particular task to fill, dependant on the type of property it is being installed in and the needs of the family or individual living there. The basic choices these days are oil, electric or gas powered, with the first two gradually ruling themselves out these days, due to the seemingly never ending instability in the crude oil industry.

These days, most people who are planning a central heating system are inclined to go for Gas as the most sensible option, with either  sealed and vented or pumped systems being the most popular choices among the  types of gas central heating systems currently on the market.

When   installing a pumped and vented central heating system, an expansion tank and a feed need to be added to complete  the package.  This will mean that the  hot water will be able to kept within the  storage tank, and constantly  provide enough warm water  both for showers, baths, dishwashers and daily domestic needs as well as filling up  the central heating radiators. One very important point that needs to be taken into account is that the expansion tank must be installed at the highest level within the house, usually in the attic. For this reason, you will find that most traditional family homes have installed this form of heating, while apartment owners tend to opt for a sealed gas central heating system, which doesn’t need a water tank, saving space and reducing maintenance costs. In addition, installing a sealed system means that all the controls and safety devices already in place

Once the decision has been made which system to go for, the next question being which size of boiler is needed, if the pumped and vented central heating system is the one selected. British Gas, by far and away, the UK’s largest supplier of central heating systems offer a range of  boilers that  come in a wide variety of sizes, and by working with a company such as BG you will be guaranteed the best of objective and professional advice as to which size of boiler best suits your needs.

British Gas work with the best boiler manufactures in the World, with Bosch, Baxi and Burnham being just a few of the companies whose boilers are recommended. 

Piecing all of these details together may seem like a tough task, but not if you do so with the backing of Britain’s leading energy company, British Gas.

Tags: Boiler, Boiler Replacement, British Gas, Combination Boiler, Condensing Boiler

With British Gas reporting record profits for 2009 much of which is to be re-invested in making UK homes easier and cheaper  to keep warm, it’s easy to understand why one out of two households choose this time honoured British company to be their principal energy supplier.

The inescapable fact that British Gas  has now become by far and away  the UK’s cheapest gas  and electricity supplier after  succeeding once again to cut retail prices in January 2010, is making them ever attractive both to existing as well as new customers, as their ever growing market share indicates. There were many raised eyebrows when British Gas’s parent company adopted a strategy to provide both gas and electricity supplies as well as a full range of home services. These services, such as boiler, plumbing maintenance and home appliance insurance, have made British Gas a highly effective “one stop shop” for all energy services.

 Centrica, British Gas’s patent company, spurred by the success of the package deal intend to expand their service base, by working hand in hand with the UK government to improve home energy and work on the development of renewable energy, which may see UK households actually capable of producing some of their own power needs through the use of small-scale wind power utilisation and solar generation.

Centrica have gone ahead, confident that the British public is behind them, to cure some of their well documented problems with dealing on shortages of own gas and electricity supply. This shortage forced Centrica to top up supplies, especially during peak demand times, on the open market, which meant the company often being forced to pay high prices.

With the £1.3 billion acquisition of North Sea gas producer, Venture Production, and the purchase of a 20 per cent stake in the UK nuclear generator British Energy for £2.3 billion, these problems will soon become history, and the UK public will be able to enjoy the full power of British Gas.

Tags: British Gas, electricity and gas, electricity suppliers, Fuel Bills, gas supplier

Just a few weeks after it was announced, the UK government’s boiler scrappage scheme continues to create loads of interest. Till now more than fifty five thousand of the maximum 125,000 grant vouchers have already been claimed.

This means that the government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change have already given around £12.5 million in grants, leaving around 70,000 worth £28 million still to be claimed. The Energy Saving Trust whose role in the project is to process grant applications, are reportedly receiving thousands of 5,000 calls a day at their nationwide call centres.

Householders who are eligible to apply for a grant that will cover a reasonable percentage of the cost of the replacing ‘G’ energy rated boilers need to have a boiler that is more than ten years old and, for the moment, the offer applies to homes in England. Any grants received must be used to replace the old boiler with an ‘A’ rated boiler or equivalent. Any funds due to be refunded will only be remitted by producing the voucher along with a receipt for work carried out by an accredited tradesman.

The scheme, reported to be the brainchild of Prime Minister Gordon Brown was planned not only to reduce costs for the UK householder but also to cut carbon footprints.  The boiler scrappage scheme will provide eligible households £400 towards replacing their aging boilers with new energy efficient ones.

Initially with price estimates of around £2400 being the norm, it began to appear that many UK householders looked like they would have to pass up on the offer. However the Goverment offer began to look a lot more viable when British Gas came in with a dramatic announcement that all of the 125,000

Eligible to be awarded a £400 voucher against the purchase of a new A-rated gas boiler will be granted a further package of discounts and gifts to a value of £852. Stage one is an additional £400 discount, rapidly followed up by the gift of a set of radiator controls valued at £248 as well as Homecare 200 boiler cover for repairs, to a cost of £204. This means that more than half of the cost of replacing the boiler has now been covered.

There is no doubt that these very generous  offers by  British Gas spurred on many to make the decision to take up the  gas boiler replacement offer, and it now only seems like a matter of time before the rest of the grants are snapped up.

For more information on boiler, heating cost  and all your energy needs visit http://www.britishgasboilers.co.uk/

Tags: Boiler, Boiler Replacement, Boiler Scrappage Scheme, British Gas, Climate Change, Department of Energy, Energy Saving Trust