News and Blogs

Get inspired by their stories

Struggling to find energy efficiency funding?

Great news! You’ve completed our efficient Workplace Energy Efficiency Checklist and are on your journey of reducing energy bills and cutting carbon emission. You’ve now reached that point where you are ready to get started on more substantial and long-term green investments.

Read now >

Energy Efficiency Quick Tips for GP Practices

Understanding your heating controls Heating controls are essential for achieving energy efficiency in buildings. By understanding how these controls work, you can avoid wasting energy in unoccupied spaces or having competing heating and cooling running at the same time. Manuals for heating controls can be found on a manufacturer’s website. Ensure staff know which of…

Read now >

Support for businesses and organisations in Oxford City – Build Back Better (Ended December 2022)

This support offer has come to end as of December 2022. As energy prices skyrocket for businesses, we’ve gained new funding to support organisations in Oxford City. If you have a building in Oxford City and want fully funded energy efficiency support, you should get in touch. Our experienced team can provide energy assessments and…

Read now >

Untangling energy efficiency terminology

When it comes to getting quotes for electrical devices designed to cut down on your energy consumption, some of the terminology can be a bit confusing. Here we break down the key metrics you need to know.

Read now >

Thinking about generating your own energy?

You may at some point be considering decarbonising your energy usage. The simplest way this can be done is of course by switching to an energy supplier who specialises in low carbon energy.

Read now >

Is working from home environmentally sustainable?

Hybrid working really took off during the COVID pandemic – and looks as if it is here to stay. But while it’s become the go-to approach of blending remote and in-person work, the burning question is: Is remote home working genuinely more sustainable?

Read now >

Month

Article topics

Government Launches Energy Bill Relief Scheme

The UK government has launched its Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses, charities and public sector organisations, such as schools and care homes. Following the announcement introduced by the government on 8 September, there has now been further guidance published relating to the scheme. The government will provide a discount on your gas and electricity…

Read now >

Slow progress on retrofit putting net zero goals at risk, says report

The UK is not refurbishing its building stock fast enough and is putting net zero targets at risk, according to sustainability consultancy 3Keel. The Global Retrofit Index, carried out by 3Keel for insulation firm Kingspan, put the UK in the fourth position in its league table of G20 countries, but found that none of the…

Read now >

Sheppard Robson wins approval to retrofit listed 60s offices in Manchester

After laying empty for the past four years, the Grade II-listed Pall Mall Court in Manchester’s city centre will be retrofitted to improve airtightness and open the building to new use. The building’s cladding will be ‘faithfully recreated’ with new cladding joints made by 3D printers a process which will allow improved airtightness and energy…

Read now >

Government unveils business Energy Bill Relief Scheme

The UK Government recently announced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme which would almost half the predicted MWh price for electricity and gas for businesses this winter, to £211/MWh and £75/MWh respectively. The scheme was first announced by newly appointed Prime Minister Liz Truss on 8 September as she addressed the House of Commons. It came alongside…

Read now >

Consumers want businesses to be more sustainable

Using recyclable packaging, more renewable energy, and less plastic, are the top things that consumers want to see companies doing in a bid to act more sustainably, research has found. More than three-quarters (76 per cent), of 2,000 adults polled, said that sustainability and climate change are important to them – with six in ten…

Read now >

Sign up to receive our monthly Sparks newsletter

Every month we send out an email newsletter to our subscribers, containing all the latest from our Sparks file as well as service updates and news from the world of energy efficiency.

Subscribe now

More from our Sparks file

How to Save Energy and Carbon – 8 November – St Hilda’s College

Join us for a networking event on saving energy and carbon in commercial and public sector buildings. Gain practical insight from the people who’ve already cut their energy bills and carbon in a mix of heritage and modern buildings Take the opportunity to speak to energy efficiency experts from Oxford Brookes University’s EiE team and…

Watch the replay >

Common energy efficiency measures to reduce energy usage

In this webinar Michael Esvelt, Operations Director at Oxford Brookes’ Environmental Information Exchange, explains common measures for reducing energy use and improving energy efficiency in buildings, including: lighting changes, dealing with business appliances or machinery, employee awareness, renewables installation, and more. We were also joined by Gavin Hodgson who is responsible for reducing energy consumption…

Watch the replay >

Upcoming event: school energy improvements – measures & funding options (inc. Salix)

The event in brief Topic: Energy improvements for schools: typical measures, funding options (inc. Salix), and sharing Windmill Primary School’s experienceDate: Wednesday 26 May 2021Time: 8.30-9.30amLink to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkd-itqzMrE9BY8cQqsHf4z4GvFNX1FRcH More details Oxfordshire’s buildings are old, inefficient, and constantly wasting energy. In fact, in the UK buildings are responsible for 29% of total carbon emissions– and…

Watch the replay >

Energy efficiency at 13th Century retreat

The Abbey – Business type: retreat centre – Building age: 13th century– Primary goal: improve comfort for guests– Measures: loft insulation, draught-proofing, thermal window blinds, LED lighting. The Abbey in Sutton Courtenay is a retreat centre with live-in residents as well as a guesthouse, all housed in premises which date from the 13th Century when…

Watch the case study >