The price of refuelling electric vehicles in Australia is rising, with a third provider lifting the cost of some public chargers in response to soaring electricity prices. Chargefox, which operates the largest electric vehicle-charging network in Australia, has revealed plans to raise the cost of recharging cars at selected sites in NSW and Victoria. The move follows similar price hikes by Ampol and Evie Networks in February. But electric vehicle experts said most drivers would be able to avoid rising costs by changing their charging behaviour, and would still save money compared to operating a petrol car. Chargefox revealed plans to raise prices for 20 of its fast-charging stations in a blog post, with 11 per cent added to the cost of recharging cars in locations including Ballina and Sydney in NSW, and Ballarat and Torquay in Victoria.
By Jennifer Dudley-nicholson, 22 Mar 2023It has insulated components on rovers sent to Mars, extracted toxic contaminants from water, some even speculate that the US military has put it inside nuclear warheads. But it could be just the thing for your bay windows. Aerogel is often described as the most effective insulating material known to science. While aerogel strips or panels have been used in buildings for decades, this type of insulation remains a little-known and rather expensive option for those aiming to reduce heat loss from their homes.
By Chris Baraniuk, 10 March 2023When you think about cooling a hot building, you probably don't think of heat pumps. In fact, you likely think of using an air conditioner instead. But as it turns out, a heat pump can both heat and cool, and in some applications, it's preferred to separate heating and cooling systems. Simply put, a heat pump is a device that uses a small amount of energy to move heat from one location to another. Not too difficult, right? Heat pumps are typically used to pull heat out of the air or ground to heat a home or office building, but they can be reversed to cool a building. In a way, if you know how an air conditioner works, then you already know a lot about how a heat pump works. This is because heat pumps and air conditioners operate in very similar ways.
By Laura Cowan & Talon Homer, 28 Jan 2022Condensation in a loft can cause serious issues such and damp, mould and even rotting timbers. If left untreated this can result in structural damage. We explain the importance of loft ventilation in the loft space and how you can increase the ventilation to stop the moist air condensing in your loft or attic. We provide you with a check list of things to look for to identify potential problems before they get out of hand as well as a sequence of solutions to deal with the loft condensation once and for all.
25 Mar 2023Installing blown bead cavity wall insulation will meet and exceed Part L of the Building Regulations effective in October 2010
Blown bead cavity wall insulation has a Lambda value of 0.032 to 0.033 and a 0.27 W/m2K U value or better is achievable when filling 85 to 100mm cavities.
The bead is installed through holes drilled into the wall (hence cavity wall insulation). On existing properties the holes will be drilled through the external wall. On new build the holes would be drilled through the inside wall, prior to plastering or plasterboard. All the holes will be made good and are invisible after the job is completed.
The blown bead cavity wall insulation is extremely effective in both new build or existing properties.
25 Mar 2023A leading charity has called for an amnesty on prepayment meters that would allow people to get them removed from their homes. Age UK said homes on prepayment meters pay more for gas and electricity than those on direct debit and risk energy being cut off due to a lack of cash. Energy firms have paused force-fitting prepayment meters until 31 March. But Energy UK, which represents firms, claims an amnesty could mean other households would pick up the cost. The issue of prepayment meters is under the spotlight after it emerged last month that debt agents acting for British Gas had broken into vulnerable people's homes to force-fit meters.
By Colletta Smith & Dearbail Jordan, 7 March 2023