February 2011

Green energy boost for UK freight business
A UK shipping firm which specialises in transporting wind farm components has seen revenue grow by more than 50 per cent in the last 12 months.

Double glazed windows and doors a must for eco-friendly homes
Homeowners who want to make their homes more environmentally-friendly as well as cut their utility bills need to think carefully about energy efficiency.

Cambridge solar plan gets green light
A plan to invest £13million in a 35 acre solar farm in Cambridgeshire has been given the go ahead by councillors.

Homeowners want customised kitchens
Designing a kitchen around your needs and opting for full customisation is one of the hottest trends when it comes to home improvement.

Double glazing more important than ever as energy prices continue to rise
EDF Energy has today become the latest utility company to increase its prices for gas and electricity.

Survey reveals importance of entrusting home improvement jobs to a professional
Leaving complicated home improvement jobs to a professional tradesperson is a must, if the results of a new survey are to be believed.

Government launches review of solar scheme
The government has today announced it is to launch a review of the Feed-in Tariffs scheme which is at risk of being hijacked by corporations.

Council spending millions on home improvements
A local authority in Scotland is set to spend £30million updating council houses over the next 12 months.

Solar panels subsidy review will stop big firms investing, says consultant
A solar panel expert has warned that if the government alters its renewable energy subsidy scheme, then big businesses will reconsider investing in the UK.

Homeowners advised to think carefully about their glazing needs
Choosing new glass when having windows fitted to your property may only be one small part of a home improvement project, but it is one of the most important.

Students display flair for kitchen design
Students from Dublin''s National College of Art and Design have shown how creative thinking when it comes to kitchen design can have a considerable impact on our lives.

Oxford solar farm plan submitted
An application to build a solar farm in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, has been submitted to local planners.

Research reveals US appetite for solar panels
Well over half of homeowners in America would consider fitting solar panels to their properties in order to reduce their reliance on non-renewable fuels, new research has found.

UK homeowners releasing equity for home improvements
One-third of people who release equity from their properties do so in order to carry out home improvements, according to a new survey.

Don’t go over the top when it comes to bathroom design
Bathroom experts are urging homeowners not to get carried away when they start planning home improvement projects.

Homeowners warned following spate of burglaries
Householders in the Newfoundpool area of Leicester are being urged to stay alert following a number of burglaries.

Herefordshire solar farm gets go ahead but no more plans expected
Plans to build a solar farm in Herefordshire have been given the green light by council officers.

£2.2m makeover for Widnes homes
A £2.2million home renovation project in Widnes has been completed.

Community champion rewarded for solar panels project
A community spirited resident from Lyme Regis has received an award after helping to get photovoltaic panels fitted to the roof of his local community hall.

Report says EU on target to achieve emission cuts targets
A European Union report has said that taking tough action to reduce greenhouse gases is cost-effective and achievable.

Builders’ trade group demands budget for green homes
A body which represents many of the people involved in building the next generation of homes in the UK has called for VAT reductions on energy efficiency-related products in the Budget which will be unveiled next month.

Campaigners fight to save solar schemes
Campaigners are uniting to save large-scale energy-saving projects after the UK’s coalition government said that it would review the Feed-In Tariffs scheme under which help is currently available to carry out such major programmes.

Homeowners splashing out on kitchen improvements
Householders in the UK are happy to spend money on getting the kitchen of their dreams, according to new research.

Village set to invest in solar energy
People living in the village of Sadberge, near Darlington, are considering going green by investing in a new solar panel project.

UK homes get more efficient – but momentum must be sustained
Energy efficiency ratings for British houses improved in 2010 as homeowners took more measures designed to save them energy and cash.

Dorset homes to be builder’s ‘most eco-friendly yet’
A development of 47 new houses in Dorset is being hailed by its builder as its most environmentally-friendly community yet.

Chocolatier helps to brighten lives of Ghana’s farmers
Chocolate manufacturer Cadbury has announced it is to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight by helping to pay for solar pv panels in Ghana.

Phone apps can help with home design
Mobile phone applications are playing an increasingly important role in home design projects, according to industry experts.