Launched: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cowfoo.com/suggest/200/net_zero" class="editor-rtfLink" rel="noopener">Energy saving suggestions</a>
I have put together these energy-saving suggestions to help people reduce both their energy bills and household carbon emissions. Energy-saving was the top voted area to focus on earlier this year. With energy bills up another 54% in April, I expect the topic is still on many people&rsquo;s minds.
The best suggestions depend on whether you rent or own your home and a few other factors, so I have added some filters to the top of the suggestions page.
I would love some feedback on these suggestions
<ul>
<li>Are any of these suggestions useful to you?&nbsp;</li>
<li>Do you have any other ideas I can add?</li>
</ul>
You can reply to this email or leave a comment on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/cowfoo.zerocarbon/posts/1136789503838390" class="editor-rtfLink" rel="noopener">Facebook group</a>&nbsp;post.

Are you looking to move home? Don&rsquo;t forget to check the EPC ratings!
It is now more important than ever to consider a property&rsquo;s energy rating before renting or buying a new home. Higher A-C rated properties will be significantly more eco-friendly and cheaper to heat.
For more info on Energy Performance Certificates and insulation, see&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cowfoo.com/find/201/heating-insulation#item_10200" class="editor-rtfLink" rel="noopener">EPC ratings</a>.

Are you looking to switch energy suppliers?
Stop! Unfortunately, electricity and gas prices are high due to the energy crisis. The energy price cap provides some protection for existing customers. In most cases, you will lose this protection if you switch tariffs or suppliers, resulting in an even higher rate.

New: Energy saving suggestions I have put together these energy-saving suggestions to help people reduce both their energy bills and househo

New: Energy saving suggestions

New: Energy saving suggestions I have put together these energy-saving suggestions to help people reduce both their energy bills and household carbon emissions. Energy-saving was the top voted area to focus on earlier this year. With energy bills up another 54% in April, I expect the topic is still on ...

Try out our new energy saving suggestions

The government is considering<a href="https://www.cowfoo.com/find/201/low-carbon-heating-insulation#item_10660">&nbsp;various changes to encourage us to move away from gas and improve the energy efficiency of our homes</a>. They are planning to make gas more expensive than electricity, and they want to encourage banks to give lower mortgage rates for more energy-efficient homes, among other measures.

Finding a greener home
Whether you are looking to buy or rent, it is good to understand Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) which gives every property an over grade from A to G..&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.cowfoo.com/find/201/low-carbon-heating-insulation#item_10200">Read about Energy Performance Certificates and how to find your own homes energy rating.</a>

For homeowners - Advice on insulating your home
A popular term in the heating industry is &ldquo;Fabric first&rdquo;, this refers to the importance of checking your buildings insulation and overall heat efficiency before fitting a new heating system. I have included information on the most popular<a href="https://www.cowfoo.com/find/201/low-carbon-heating-insulation#item_10202">&nbsp;home insulation options</a>.
Some of the most cost-effective measures are draft proofing, cavity wall insulation (if you have cavity walls), attic insulation and double (or triple) glazing.

Ditching the gas boiler and fitting a heat pump&nbsp;
Heat pumps are a low carbon heating system, and the main alternative to fossil fuel-based heating is available today. I knew very little about them, so I spent a month reading every post on a heat pump forum to find out more!&nbsp;
I have included information on<a href="https://www.cowfoo.com/find/201/low-carbon-heating-insulation#item_10205">&nbsp;how heat pumps work and whether they might be suitable for your home</a>.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ve also looked at the<a href="https://www.cowfoo.com/find/201/low-carbon-heating-insulation#item_10658">&nbsp;government schemes designed to encourage you to get one</a>. The schemes are getting less generous from April next year - but with all those<a href="https://www.cowfoo.com/find/201/low-carbon-heating-insulation#item_10660">&nbsp;future measures the government is considering</a>, a heat pump may still be a good financial investment if your home is suitable.
From all the heat pump posts I&rsquo;ve read, I can confidently say most people are very happy with their heat pump. However, they aren&rsquo;t suitable for all properties, and it is essential to find a reliable installer - I strongly recommend getting quotes from<a href="https://www.cowfoo.com/find/201/low-carbon-heating-insulation#item_10616">&nbsp;MCS certified companies</a>.&nbsp;
Many of the problems people have with heat pumps relate to poor installations often by companies claiming government money and doing as cheap an install as possible. So, as a general rule,&nbsp; if anyone offers to fit you a heat pump '"for free" - run the other way!

All about Energy Performance Certificates (EPC's), finding a greener home, insulation and getting a heat pump fitted.

Heating and insulation

The government is considering various changes to encourage us to move away from gas and improve the energy efficiency of our homes. They are planning to make gas more expensive than electricity, and they want to encourage banks to give lower mortgage rates for more energy-efficient homes, among other measures.

The Prime Minister has announced a <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936567/10_POINT_PLAN_BOOKLET.pdf" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">10 point plan</a> for a 'green industrial revolution' to invest in green technologies. Covering clean energy, transport, nature and new technologies, this is Boris&rsquo;s blueprint to enable the UK to forge ahead with eradicating its contribution to climate change by 2050.
The UK government has committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Much of our reduction in greenhouse gas emission so far has been due to greener energy sources but the UK Climate Change Committee reports that we are <a href="https://www.theccc.org.uk/uk-action-on-climate-change/reaching-net-zero-in-the-uk/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">not on track to hit even the less ambitious target of 80% reduction for the period 2023-27</a> so more action is urgently needed.
<h2>The 10 point plan</h2>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Offshore wind: Producing enough offshore wind to power every home.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Hydrogen: Up to &pound;500 million, including for trialling homes using hydrogen for heating and cooking.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Nuclear: &pound;525 million to help develop large and smaller-scale nuclear plants, and research and develop new advanced modular reactors.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Electric vehicles: UK will end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030 (2035 for some hybrid vehicles)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Public transport, cycling and walking: Making cycling and walking more attractive ways to travel and investing in zero-emission public transport of the future.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Jet Zero and greener maritime: &pound;20 million for a competition to develop clean maritime technology</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Homes and public buildings: Making our homes, schools and hospitals greener, warmer and more energy efficient, whilst creating 50,000 jobs by 2030, and a target to install 600,000 heat pumps every year by 2028.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Carbon capture: A target to remove 10MT of carbon dioxide by 2030</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Nature: Protecting and restoring our natural environment, planting 30,000 hectares of trees every year.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Innovation and finance: To make the City of London the global centre of green finance.</li>
</ol>
<h2>Is it enough to hit the UK's legally binding 2050 Net Zero target?</h2>
In a word - no.
A number of climate scientists have pointed out that it's not enough to hit the UK 2050 target - which we are currently not on target to hit.
This is not to say the plan is bad but based on the dates being talked about and the relatively small amount of money currently backing the proposals large parts of it are more of a vision than a fully financed plan.

Can the Prime Ministers "Green Industrial Revolution" get us to Net Zero by 2050?

Boris's 10 Point Plan for a "Green Industrial Revolution"

A look at the Prime Ministers  ten point plan for a green industrial revolution.

Try out our new energy saving suggestions

Heating and insulation

Boris's targets 68% emissions reduction prior to climate summit