World

Energy Performance Certificates And How They Work

Published

3 years ago

April 29, 2020

Energy performance certificates (EPCs), same as solar thermal energy were introduced along with the Home Information Packs (HIPs) in 2020 as a way to provide a rating determining how energy-efficient a particular property is. HIPs proved controversial, and they were scrapped in 2010. However, EPCs remain a legal requirement in most cases of selling or renting out a property. You will need to have the certificate at hand before you start advertising your home for rent or sale, and potential tenants or buyers will also want to be able to see this. People can use this information to get a better idea of the running costs of the property in question. Data Provided by EPCs EPCs are designed to provide an overall assessment and rating of how energy-efficient a property is. A rating out of one-hundred is provided, and this number will fall into one of seven bands labeled A to G. A-rated properties are the most energy-efficient, while G-rated ones are the worst. Most new builds and recently renovated buildings have higher ratings than older properties. Listed buildings tend to be the least energy-efficient. A potential rating is also provided. This rating takes into account any possible improvements which may be made to the property. This is the property’s maximum potential energy efficiency rating.

How Much Does It Cost to Get an EPC?

One of the things which made HIPs controversial was that homeowners had to pay out a considerable amount of money for all of the necessary documents and certificates. However, since this has been scrapped, it is now only needed to pay for the EPC assessment and certification itself. You can either get the EPC organized through an estate agent or approach an accredited EPC provider directly. The latter is usually the cheaper option. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, EPC costs typically range from £60 to £100. Prices in Scotland are still much higher due to additional requirements, sometimes reaching £600. EPCs and the Feed-in Tariff The feed-in tariff is the main government-backed incentive to encourage homeowners to invest in clean and renewable energy systems, thus reducing their impacts on the environment and their reliance on the energy companies. All of the Big Six energy companies and most of the smaller independent energy providers are members of this scheme. To receive the greatest benefits from the scheme, your property will need to have an energy efficiency rating in band D, C, B or A. If it is lower than this, you will not receive the full amount, and you may want to consider making some modifications to your home to improve its rating.

EPCs and the Green Deal

The Green Deal is a new scheme introduced by the British government in February, 2013. It has also had a considerable impact on EPCs. The Green Deal is the government’s flagship policy regarding energy efficiency in the home, and it exists to provide loans to those planning to make changes to their homes to improve the scores on their EPCs. The most attractive feature of the Green Deal is that its prime directive ensures you that the loan repayments will always be lower than the savings you make by upgrading your home to make it more economical. To take advantage, you will need to have the work done by a Green Deal-accredited company.

More on the Green Deal here

Who Needs an EPC? Not everyone needs an EPC, although most homeowners do if they are selling or renting out their properties. Exceptions to the rule include any places of worship, temporary housing, residences which are used for less than four months of the year, outbuildings and workshops, and in some cases, listed buildings. If you are not sure whether or not you need one, you should contact your local council. If you legally require an EPC, but you do not have one, you may be fined up to £200. To get an EPC, you will need to approach an accredited assessor in your area of the country before you put your home on the market. The assessor will pay a visit to your property to complete a survey. They will then formulate an energy efficiency rating and provide your EPC.

World

Bringing clean water – Christopher Kenny’s Preservation Earth Project

Published

5 days ago

January 22, 2023

Jenny Jackson

Science plainly shows that a human can survive three weeks without food, yet most individuals cannot survive three to four days without water! Dehydration sets in, and the person will go into shock and become vegetative even if they continue to breathe. In other words, water is an essential requirement. A living thing cannot thrive without it. Nonetheless, it is a horrifying truth that billions of people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water.

In developed countries, when everything from technology to luxury is available, receiving clean water at home is as ‘natural’ as breathing fresh air. Most individuals in advanced nations may not pay much attention to it, but this is not the case for the rest of the globe. Many countries continue to lack access to clean water sources or water appropriate for human use. Safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene at home should not be limited to the wealthy or those who live in cities. These are some of the most fundamental human health requirements, and all countries must ensure everyone has access to them.

The Preservation Earth Project (PEP) made its way to Tsaile, New Mexico. Over time, uranium mining, fracking, and pesticide abuse damaged the water supply, resulting in a high occurrence of numerous illnesses. Approximately 35% of the Navajo people do not have access to flowing water, and some must go to a remote location to fill barrels with water from a polluted local spring.

There is no doubt that climate change is boosting storm strength. Recent natural catastrophes have heightened the need for groups to step up and give support, answers, and relief to individuals affected by such natural disasters. The Preservation Earth Project is a non-profit organization that provides support, education, and solutions to help society transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

A look back at Christoper Kenny’s life

Chris Kenny was born in Summit, New Jersey, on May 4, 1961. He was one of twelve children. In 1980, he received a B.A. in economics and finance from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina. He also attended New York University, earning a commercial real estate management degree from the Schack Institute. Since 2018, he has served as the head of Strategy and E-trading at Hartfield, Titus, and Donnelly. Kenny started his career in the U.S. In 1985. He worked as a Treasury Bond Broker. He formerly worked at Bonds.com as the director of fixed income sales and technological development. His academic background is in business and finance. Chris is passionate about developing and promoting renewable energy, mainly when it is used to assist people in need. The potential to aid those in urgent demand as a result of a human-caused environmental or natural disaster is not just a philanthropic act but also a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity.

He used solar power on mobile platforms as a backup power source for emergencies, water purification, and water pumping.

His academic credentials are in business and finance. Chris is passionate about developing and promoting renewable energy, mainly when it is used to assist people in need. The potential to aid those in urgent need as a result of a human-caused environmental or natural disaster is not just a philanthropic act but also a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity. He has over 38 years of experience in finance as a salesperson, broker, trader, and investor.

Making clean water available to everyone

In 2012, Kenny founded The Preservation Earth Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It provides assistance, education, and alternative energy solutions to help society shift to renewable energy. It was involved and aided Haiti several times after the 2010 earthquake, providing portable solar electricity for water purification and medical facilities. In 2020, the business devised a solution for the Navajos’ contaminated water source. They collaborated with engineers and local officials to build, produce, and install a solar-powered water filtration system for the Navajo people of Tsaile, New Mexico. Other activities have included providing portable solar power to the “Cajun Navy” for rescue and clean-up in areas devastated by the 2015-2021 hurricane season in Louisiana.

The project designed, delivered, and installed a solar-powered filtration system that will provide clean drinking water to the local Navajo community 365 days a year for many years to come. Several more initiatives are in the works to provide safe drinking water to Native American communities on the Navajo Reservation.

President’s letters of gratitude

President Jimmy Carter sent Chris two heartfelt letters encouraging him to continue his charitable work. He suggested calling Habitat for Humanity and asking if they were interested in collaborating on a few projects. He and Kenny both helped out at the charity.