Hearth
Reduced Rate Energy Tariffs for Solar PV and Heat Pumps
Exciting news for anyone looking to save on energy bills! Some energy providers are rolling out enticing tariffs to encourage the adoption of solar PV systems and heat pumps. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of these offers.
UK Government & Domestic Retrofit
A Streamlined Planning Process or a Play for Time? UK Government outlines barriers and a possible action plan for Domestic Retrofit
COP28
COP 28 arrived at the end of the hottest year on record, according to the latest report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). As António Guterres, secretary- general of the UN, put it, "Greenhouse gas levels are record high. Global temperatures are record high. Sea level rise is record high. Antarctic sea ice is record low. It's a deafening cacophony of broken records''.
Tenants: What to do now?
The government have recently updated their net zero and sustainability strategy with a clutch of target and policy changes. One policy cancellation will seriously impact tenants of private landlords.
Heat Pump Grants vs Net Zero VAT: Our View
At the end of September, the government updated their net zero and sustainability strategy with a clutch of target and policy changes. Here’s our view.
Overheating & The Solutions
2022 saw the UK’s first “level 4” heatwave and though the UK has avoided sharing the pain, July 2023 has set new global temperature records. Overheating is not a problem for later, and some forward planning is probably necessary before rushing out to buy portable fans which are costly to run and won’t solve the overall problem.
GRANTS AND FINANCIAL MATTERS: A mid-2023 UPDATE
The Government’s Autumn Statement 2022 earmarked funds for the energy retrofit sector. This is resulting in wider availability of grants for retrofit work but is mainly limited to those over 60 or on benefits, or in social housing.
The Electric Boiler Vs The Heat Pump
Over the last few months, it has been hard not to hear about the government’s push for the public to move away from fossil fuel heating and instead install air source heat pumps to decarbonise the nation's domestic energy demand
Underfloor Heating
If you live in a traditionally built property, you more than likely have suspended timber floors. If they haven’t already been insulated, you probably have complained once or twice about draughts coming up through the floorboards or the floor being cold as ice on those chilly winter mornings.
External Wall Insulation
External wall insulation (EWI) has become increasingly popular over the last 10 years due to increased awareness and focussed government funding.
Internal wall insulation
Internal wall insulation (IWI) can be used to insulate solid walls where external wall insulation (EWI) may not be suitable due to issues like access or planning constraints.
Cavity Wall Insulation
Cavity wall insulation isn’t for every house, but if it is, it can make a huge difference to the level of your comfort at home, as well as having the added benefit of seeing your energy bills reduce.
The Importance Of Insulation
The UK’s housing stock is the oldest and draughtiest in Europe. As a nation we are far, far behind most of our neighbours when it comes to energy efficiency in our homes.
The Importance Of Ventilation In Your Home
Pre pandemic, the average person spent 70% of their time at home…
Why Retrofit?
At Hearth we are all about simplifying our day-to-day & working smarter, so we thought it may be handy to put together a little “guide to Retrofit”, after our next three blogs you’ll practically be an expert, or at least dazzle at a dinner party.
The Whole-house Approach
Take a straw poll and most homeowners would say that the key to reducing their energy use is to install solar panels or change their windows, and to be honest, from us to you, it doesn't make much sense, not with regards to total energy use and not financially, although there will be properties where this strategy would be the best solution, it really isn't the case for the majority.
Retrofit Process: Step by Step
Though the UK has slowly improved building standards in new homes (arguably not enough), we can see for energy efficiency and ventilation, existing homes have lagged behind.