How is The British Saving the Environment?

British Gas often receives negative press over a variety issues, but the UK's largest energy supplier also promotes and supports a number of initiatives and schemes which give back to the community. In recent years it has become very active in promoting green initiatives and providing customers with information on how to save energy and reduce bills. This comes at a time when global energy prices are rising and consequently placing additional financial burden on the average household.

Microgeneration

One of the latest schemes undertaken by the energy giant includes a partnership deal with Sainsbury's Energy. This is an attempt to raise awareness of microgeneration, which is basically the practice of small scale energy generation by individuals and small communities, British Gas and Sainsbury's Energy are offering a range of energy technologies and information in supermarkets.

Supermarket customers will be able to find deals and learn how micorgeneration can help them reduce their bills and carbon footprint. According to a recent report about 87% of British consumers do not know what microgeneration is. The idea is to get households to install solar panels and other technology which can help them generate some of their own energy and save money.

British Gas Backs National Carbon Monoxide Awareness

It is a silent killer which kills dozens of people every year. The sad truth is on many occasions these accidents could have been avoided. Energy UK's Be Alarmed campaign is being backed by British Gas by lending support to raise awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning and its dangers. The colourless odourless gas which is difficult to detect and occurs when fuel such as gas, oil and wood burn without enough air is often a result of poor heating system or appliance maintenance.

The campaign hopes to raise awareness of the importance of installing carbon monoxide detectors and having your heating system serviced regularly by a professional. According to research by Be Alarmed almost two thirds of homes in the UK could be at risk from carbon monoxide because they do not have an audible carbon monoxide alarm.

British Gas Customers Save Money

British Gas along with other energy suppliers is currently being investigated by OFGEM because of recent price hikes. Even so according to a recent report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research, some British Gas customers have saved 22% on energy bills or about £322 each year between 2006 and 2010 by installing energy efficient gas boilers and insulation. The same British Gas customers also saw a 44% reduction in gas use. Cavity wall insulation reduced household gas consumption by a typical 18.3%, energy efficient gas boilers reduced use by 18% and loft insulation reduced consumption by 13.8%.

British Gas is also offering Dual Fuel customers free insulation which can reduce heat loss in the home. According to the energy supplier a household could save about £110 per year by installing cavity wall insulation. There are only 200,000 installations available and you must apply before 31st of May. You can also obtain free insulation if you are over 70 and currently receive at least one of several benefits, such as, council tax, housing or income support.

According to British Gas as a much as 1 in every 4 pounds spent on heating is wasted because of poor insulation.