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146 articles published

Second-Life EV Batteries: Can Used Car Batteries Power Your Home?

Electric vehicle batteries are retired from cars when they drop to around 70-80% capacity -- but they still have years of useful life left for stationary home energy storage. Here's what second-life EV battery systems cost in the UK, which companies are selling them, how they compare to new batteries, and what to watch out for.

UK ZEV Mandate 2026: What Business Fleet Managers Need to Know

The UK Zero Emission Vehicle mandate sets minimum proportions of EV sales for manufacturers, but it has real knock-on effects for business fleet managers choosing company vehicles in 2026. Here's how it affects your choices, costs, and timeline.

Grid Carbon Intensity: Timing EV Charging and Appliances to Cut Emissions

The UK grid's carbon intensity varies enormously hour to hour. Charging your EV at the right time can cut the emissions of each charge by 50% or more. Here's how to use the National Grid ESO Carbon Intensity API, Octopus Agile tariffs, and smart home tools to automate low-carbon decisions.

Can You Get a Heat Pump in a Leasehold Flat? A UK Guide for 2026

Millions of UK flat-dwellers want to cut their heating bills but face a wall of leasehold complexity when they look at heat pumps. Here's what's actually possible, what you need from your freeholder, and what alternatives exist if an air source heat pump is off the table.

Getting Paid From Your Home Battery: UK Grid Flexibility Trials in 2026

With the Ofgem price cap up 13% from July, home battery owners have a new reason to pay attention to grid flexibility trials. Here's how demand flexibility schemes, virtual power plants, and new trials from Duracell and EDF actually work — and what you can realistically expect to earn.

UK Heat Pump Servicing: What Gets Checked and What It Costs in 2026

Annual heat pump servicing is recommended by every manufacturer and required to maintain most warranties. This guide covers what an engineer checks, what you can do yourself, what it costs, and how to find a qualified engineer for your system.

Heat Pump Refrigerants: R32 vs R290 for UK Homes

R32 and R290 are the two dominant refrigerants in new UK heat pump installations. This guide compares their efficiency, safety classification, environmental impact, and practical implications for homeowners and installers.

Floating Solar in the UK: Reservoirs, Lochs, and Gravel Pits as Energy Assets

The UK government fast-tracked floating solar on inland water bodies in April 2026. With 10% of UK lakes generating an estimated 2.7 TWh/year and costs falling to £600–800/kWp, here's what you need to know about floatovoltaics — how they work, where they're going, and what they mean for UK energy.

EV Charging for Flats and Leaseholders in the UK: Your 2026 Guide

If you own a flat or rent in the UK, installing an EV charger involves freeholder permissions, grant paperwork, and sometimes communal car park negotiations. Here's a plain-language guide to your options and the grants available before schemes close in March 2027.

Floating Solar in the UK: Reservoirs, Quarries and Inland Water Sites 2026

Floating solar arrays on UK reservoirs, quarries, and canals offer clean energy without competing for agricultural land. Here's how the technology works, which projects are operating, what yields to expect, and what planning permission looks like for different water body types.

Green Gas and Biomethane Tariffs in the UK: What's Available in 2026

Biomethane injection into the gas grid is growing, and some UK energy suppliers now offer green gas tariffs backed by Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin. Here's what green gas tariffs actually mean, how to compare them, and whether they're worth it.

UK Home Retrofit Sequencing: The Right Order for Energy Upgrades in 2026

Installing a heat pump before insulating your walls is one of the most expensive mistakes in home energy upgrades. This guide explains the correct sequencing for UK retrofit projects — fabric first, then heating, then generation — and why the order changes both performance and grant eligibility.

Why Your Heat Pump Underperforms: Real-World SPF Explained

Many UK heat pumps run at half their rated efficiency because of poor commissioning, wrong flow temperatures, or system design issues. Here's what seasonal performance factor means in practice and how to close the gap.

Home Energy Monitors UK 2026: Track Every Watt and Cut Your Bills

Real-time energy monitors show exactly where your electricity goes — and which appliances are quietly draining money. This guide covers the best home energy monitors and apps for UK homes in 2026, from smart meter IHD upgrades to clamp-on circuit monitors.

Tidal Stream Energy in the UK: The Race to Commercialise Ocean Power

Tidal stream energy is moving from demonstration projects to commercial arrays. The UK leads the world in installed capacity, with projects in the Pentland Firth and Orkney pointing toward a future where predictable ocean power helps balance the grid.

Great British Energy: What the UK's New Public Clean Energy Company Actually Does

GB Energy launched in May 2025 as a publicly-owned clean energy company backed by £8.3 billion. It's not a new energy supplier, it doesn't lower your bills directly, and it won't own a power station any time soon. Here's what it actually is and what it means for UK households and businesses.

Public EV Charging Networks UK 2026: Comparing BP Pulse, Pod Point, Osprey, and Gridserve

The UK's public charging network has expanded dramatically but remains patchy in reliability and pricing. This guide compares the major networks — BP Pulse, Pod Point, Osprey, Gridserve, Osprey, and Mer — on coverage, speed, pricing, and real-world reliability so you can plan your charging strategy without nasty surprises.

Cross-Pavement EV Charging: The UK Guide for Renters and Street Parkers

Around 40% of UK households have no off-street parking. Cross-pavement charging — cable channels cut across the pavement with a sealed lid — is finally making home EV charging viable for renters and street parkers. Here's how it works, what it costs, and how to apply.

Bifacial Solar Panels: Are They Worth the Premium in 2026?

Bifacial solar panels generate electricity from both sides, promising 5–30% more output than standard panels. But they cost more, and the gains depend heavily on your installation. Here's how to decide if bifacial is right for your project.