Latest news - Building & Design

Building & Design

Credit: Alisdair MacDiarmid, Glasgow

Renovating UK’s empty homes could save cost and carbon emissions

Renovating UK’s empty homes could save cost and carbon emissions

Renovating the UK’s one million empty homes to meet demand for affordable housing could cost a fraction of that to build new homes and save carbon emissions, says the British Property Federation.

UK Government “needs to try much, much harder” on microgeneration

UK Government “needs to try much, much harder” on microgeneration

The new UK Coalition “needs to try much, much harder”, according to the Micropower Council’s ‘end of term’ report on the Government’s performance.

UK Carbon Trust cuts free services

UK Carbon Trust cuts free services

The UK Carbon Trust, which advises organisations on energy use and efficiency, has announced that it is to cut its free services for large organisations.

Public to hold UK Government to account on energy efficiency

Public to hold UK Government to account on energy efficiency

The public is being urged to track the UK Government’s energy use, which can now be viewed in real time, and hold it to account on reducing waste.

HomeSun offers free solar panels to UK homes

HomeSun offers free solar panels to UK homes

UK company HomeSun is offering free solar panels to homes with south-facing roofs in return for receiving the Government’s feed-in-tariff.

Watered-down US energy bill fails to win support

Watered-down US energy bill fails to win support

US Senator Harry Reid has given up hope of passing a watered-down energy bill before the summer recess after failing to garner enough Republican support.

IEA commends French energy policy but urges electricity market reform

IEA commends French energy policy but urges electricity market reform

The International Energy Agency last week commended France’s effort to adapt its energy policy to meet climate change targets, but urged it to move ahead with electricity market reforms.

US home appliance manufacturers call for new efficiency standards

US home appliance manufacturers call for new efficiency standards

Home appliances manufacturers are calling for improved national efficiency standards and tax credits in the US.

EDF Energy and Gentoo join forces on efficient homes

EDF Energy and Gentoo join forces on efficient homes

UK utility EDF Energy has joined forces with property company Gentoo to improve the energy efficiency of 781 homes in north east England.

US clean tech small businesses to get $188 million boost

US clean tech small businesses to get $188 million boost

Small businesses in the US are to get a $188 million boost to develop clean technologies, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced yesterday.