The shift from the internal combustion engine to electric vehicles is well under way and some would say it’s a shift that is unstoppable. Modern electric vehicles have been around for some time now and though initially it was all about the early adopters EVs are becoming more mainstream as each month passes. Nissan has now notched-up 400,000 sales of its all-electric Leaf model, while the super-stylish and eco-friendly Jaguar I-Pace just won the coveted European Car of the Year accolade. But what does it mean right now for car buyers? Should you be considering making the switch to electric power, or is it better to wait until there is more infrastructure in place and electric cars are more competitively priced? Essentially, the question for many is whether EV motoring is better value for money. As is often the case it’s a question of swings and roundabouts. Put simply, an electric car is more expensive to buy than a conventional petrol or diesel model but it is way … [Read more...] about Electric or petrol cars
Which electricity provider is cheapest
What is smart heating and how does it work?
PUBLISHED: 08:46 23 February 2019 Jo Malone With some Smart heating controls, individual rooms can be set to different temperatures. Picture Getty Images Archant Nobody wants to pay to heat their home when they’re not there, but we all want a warm house to come home to – does Smart heating mean we can have both? Our homes at the right temperature at the right time is the idea behind Smart heating, and it should save us money. Picture Getty ImagesIf we’re home earlier than expected, we want a cosy house without having to faff with complicated heating controls and we want to know how much energy we’re using when heating our homes and hot water.That’s where SMART Technology steps in.It’s Self-Monitoring Analysis And Reporting Technology and there are now multiple players in the smart heating control market, with a multitude of different products that all promise different levels of heating control. These control units … [Read more...] about What is smart heating and how does it work?
Cheap energy suppliers – compare and cut your gas and electricity bills by more than £300 a year
MILLIONS of Brits are overpaying on their energy bills when they could easily slash the cost by switching providers. In fact, about 11million households are stuck on expensive Standard Variable Tariffs (SVTs) and default deals that are almost £300 more expensive than the cheapest deals on the market. Such households will also see their energy bills rise by over £100 each year in a couple of months as Ofgem once again increases the price cap by £117 per year. From April 1, people on standard variable tariffs can expect to pay an average of £1,254 a year. While those on prepayment meters will pay £1,242 a year, up by £106 from the previous cap levels. The hike will see a collective £1.71billion added to households' bills. Luckily, you can save money by shopping around for a better deal and then switching. Yet Brits are reluctant to do so - more than 9million households didn't change provider once between 2012 and 2017, costing them more than £1,500 … [Read more...] about Cheap energy suppliers – compare and cut your gas and electricity bills by more than £300 a year
Alan O’Neill: ‘Protecting your great ideas is the name of the game’
Whatever Supermac’s spent defending its trademark will probably turn out to be the cheapest global advertising campaign ever. What a gift from a multinational giant to an indigenous Irish brand. It was reported recently on Independent.ie that since the landmark decision, Supermac’s is getting enquiries from potential franchisees from all over the world. The background to this is that Irish brand Supermac’s, which has been trading here in Ireland since 1978 with that name, made noises about expanding to other countries, including Spain and Australia. McDonald’s seemed to have been willing to put up with it while the conflict with the name was contained just in Ireland. In some ways, you can’t blame it. In the Interbrand 2018 global list, McDonald’s ranks 10th with a brand valuation of $43bn. Every global giant is obliged to protect the distinctiveness of its brand. That’s why brands like Xerox and Hoover spend millions every year reminding … [Read more...] about Alan O’Neill: ‘Protecting your great ideas is the name of the game’
Our Power goes bust leaving 38,000 customers without a gas or electricity provider
ANOTHER small energy firm has gone bust, leaving 38,000 customers without a gas and electricity provider. Our Power, which launched in 2016 as an ethical, non-profit supplier, is the latest in a string of small providers to cease trading. Regulator Ofgem said the energy supply to the group's thousands of customers will not be affected and prepayment meters can be topped up as normal. Last year saw six small energy firms fail - Extra Energy, Spark Energy, Future Energy, National Gas and Power, Iresa Energy, Gen4U, Usio Energy, One Select and Economy Energy. If you're in credit, don't worry because your balance will be protected and the watchdog is already in the process of choosing a new supplier to take on Our Power's customer base "as quickly as possible". Customers in debt may still need to repay what they owe to the new supplier - it all depends on the deal agreed by Ofgem. Is it safe to switch to a small energy provider?FED-UP with sky high energy prices and poor customer service … [Read more...] about Our Power goes bust leaving 38,000 customers without a gas or electricity provider