Whether it is installing simple steps to save energy with energy efficient appliances or light bulbs.

Encouraging other family members or employees to be aware of their use of energy. Or taking a larger step and installing more up to date technology which can help you save energy.

There are a number of options out there for all to use whatever your circumstances. For example here at Enigin Plc we help businesses with the use of our up to date hardware and software to learn more about energy efficiency. Our technology enables them to monitor their energy use, see how they can make changes and then take the time to implement the changes needed.

By joining Enigin Plc in the work we are doing to save energy your business can save time and energy in a simple and efficient way.

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Starting firstly with the help that is available for those who want to become energy efficient. There is financial help in most countries, whether your a homeowner, a tenant or a business you can get help to save energy. Governments around the world want to encourage everybody to do their part in energy efficiency.

Here at Enigin we concentrate on businesses around the World. With our global distributors available to assist you to save energy, teaching you what you need to do to change your energy usage and save your company money.

Many governments are offering grants, loans and incentives for homeowners to also change their energy usage As well as this virtually all appliances now available come with the Energy Star certification, showing that they are already energy efficient.

But you can still do more. Once you have purchased energy star certified appliances, you can go a step further. For example, turning appliances off at the socket when not in use can save a tremendous amount of energy and money.

So there are opportunities out there for everybody. We encourage businesses especially to take on energy saving. Take the steps mentioned here to start saving energy today and save you company money, time and energy.

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Here in the UK it is no different, most of the grants and offers people can benefit from are provided by three main groups.

1 - The Government

The UK Government funds schemes providing up to £3,500 to households that are on certain benefits (see below for examples of criteria set for being eligible) to improve their heating and energy efficiency.

In England the scheme is known as Warm Front, in Northern Ireland it is Warm Homes, in Scotland it is the Energy Assistance Package and in Wales it is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme.

The eligibility criteria for the schemes differ between countries - for some you must be receieving certain benefits, whilst others are available to anyone over a certain age. These include not only homeowners but if you are renting privately, they are still available to you.

Examples of Warm Front eligibility criteria in England - If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord and if:

• You are 60 years or older and are in receipt of one or more benefits. Benefits include: income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit, job seekers allowance and pension credit.
  or
• You have a child under 16 or you are pregnant and have been given maternity MAT B1 and are also in receipt of benefits such as income support, council tax benefit etc.
  or
• You are in receipt of one or more benefits such as disability living allowance, child tax credit with an income of less than £16,040, housing benefit and disability premium etc.

Then you could be entitled to a warm front grant.

2 - Energy Suppliers

The Government’s Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) has been replaced by the Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT) this means energy suppliers with a certain number of customers in Great Britain have to achieve targets for improving home energy efficiency. The suppliers therefore provide a range of offers and incentives which reduce the cost of installing energy efficiency measures. You can take up offers from any energy company, regardless of who supplies your gas and electricity.

3 - Local Authorities

Most local authorities provide grants and offers for local residents to install certain energy efficiency measures in their home. See you local authority website for more information.

So there are different ways available to many to get on the green path, save money and energy. Here at Enigin we work to improve energy use for businesses but you could take your part at home, and save energy too.

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But there are a few things you need to know first:

1 - They go fast. The federal rebates offered in the USA are being snapped up quickly and they only have a certain amount of money put aside for such grants. So once they are gone, they’re gone. For example, in Florida, one rebate program closed just 36 hours after it was started. Check the status of your area in the US at www.energysavers.gov/financial

2 - Local states have their own cash - there are up to 600 alternative programs being run by individual states, separate to federal programs which are still available.

3 - Do the maths first - Certain projects may give you greater savings then others. So check them all out first and work out what would be best. A comprehensive home energy audit, which will pinpoint the areas which need changing, is around $400. But some states or utilities conduct basic audits for free or will reimburse some of that cost.

4 - Small ways can pay too. There are plenty of ways to save energy without spending a lot. Every degree you go up or down on your thermostat will knock 2% off your annual heating and cooling costs; replacing your five most frequently used bulbs with compact fluorescents can take $70 a year off your energy bill.

Finally, ditching that old fridge you’ve relegated to the garage for storing extra drinks will save about $200 or more a year. You may find you can justify an appliance upgrade after all — rebate or not.

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But one couple in America are using small and very easy ways to save energy, and the planet. Rather then spend thousands as many do to input technologies and appliances they are using old fashioned ways and ideas simply to be more careful with the energy they use.

The Gecis in Litchfield, Conneticut, have been in conservation mode for about five years, although Jerry Geci has for much longer cut the grass in his garden with a rotary mower, after he has cut his field of daisies with an old-fashioned scythe once they are fading.
Some simple ways that Mr Geci and his wife take part in energy conservation are such things as not using a clothes dryer. They collect rainwater for their garden in a barrel, maintain a compost pile, spread ground-up eggshells in the garden to keep slugs away, and grow their own vegetables. And have electrical appliances connected using power strips which at night, they then turn off.
Mr Geci can be seen walking with his wife to the post office and in the spring pedaling his bicycle to Plumb Hill Playing Fields.

Mr Geci took things a step further by joining the Litchfield Energy Task Force, a relatively new organisation of residents who are working to promote energy conservation in the town. One of the first things Mr Geci did as a member was sign up for a $75 energy audit with Home Energy Solutions, which is supported by the Connecticut Light & Power Co.’s Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund.

Home Energy Solutions tested the energy efficiency of the Gecis’ home and, for the $75 fee, weather-stripped doors, windows and other areas leaking energy and installed 14 high-efficiency light bulbs.
So does this not make you realise the potential we all have to take part in saving energy? Such measures as used by the Gecis can be done by everyone, whether at home or at work. Here at Enigin Plc it is what we want to encourage all business owners to not only consider, but to act upon. Using up to date technology such as the Enigin Eniscope to monitor the energy they use, change it and therefore save energy, money and time.

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But there is now a tool available online for the public in the UK to receive grants to save energy at home. You can now go online, fill in your home details, when your property was built, where you want to save energy and the site will outline what is available to you.

It is a great way for us to start to put things in place for our homes. Put the grants to good use to save energy and become energy efficient at home.

On the website there are options for how you wish to save energy. Including energy generation. A chance to receive help to start generating energy in a more efficient way then what has become conventional. The option asks such things as using wind turbines or solar energy. Giving you the chance to consider using new and upcoming ways to become energy efficient and save us money.

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You can arrnage to have a local Energy Day or even Week. It is an action aiming to involve the wider public in a wide range of activities related to the production or use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Usually organised at a local, regional or national level for a specified period, the types of activities may vary, but normally include one or more of the following :

• Guided visits and tours for the general public to companies, public administrations, private homes or other organizations that use renewable energy sources or implement energy efficient technologies.
• Educational activities and programmes assisting children to discover and learn about energy efficiency techniques and renewable energy.
• Open door days, during which the general public visits organisations to learn more about energy efficient and renewable energy measures on the premises.
• Exhibitions and fairs, where public and private organisations demonstrate and explain their energy technologies to the wider public.
• Opening ceremonies, inaugurations, exhibition shows aimed at the wider public and showcasing innovative renewable energy technologies, energy efficient methods or alternative methods of transport

So why not arrange an Energy Day in your area! Get the public and people around you involved in energy saving and show the community how to do it.

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Smart meters are being used by utility companies to “monitor” household energy usage, it gives them the ability to change tariffs remotely, take meter readings remotely and therefore save the utility company time and money. But is it a better option for the customer?

By installing smart meters it could give the utility company control of households appliances and your energy use. The survey carried out found that 16% would not hand over control to companies without a large discount being applied and the ability to override these companies.

Many are put off the idea of having a smart meter at the thought of their bills possibly rising as a result. As many as 71% taking the survey do not trust utility firms energy saving plans. Many are reluctant to disclose their energy usage, feeling it may be used against them and as an invasion to their privacy.

This must raise the question as to whether utility companies are putting the right energy saving ideas out there for their customers but also for the general idea of saving energy? Or is it just to save them money?

Enigin Distributors around the world offer commerce, industry and public sector organisations their real time energy monitor Eniscope, which is far more than a smart meter, allows real time energy management with clear understandable graphic displays.

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The SustainabilityLive! Exhibition at The National Energy Management Exhibition, saw many different businesses advertising their new and impressive methods of saving us all energy in the changing time.

It is becoming more and more important for us all to get involved in all things energy, and I mean saving it, not using it! As we have become very accustomed to! Included in the exhibitors was Enigin Plc who focused on the power of the real-time energy monitor Eniscope.

Seminars and discussions were held each day. There was much to learn, see and hear. It really opened your eyes to the possibilities we all have to get involved and the business opportunities out there we can be a part of. But most importantly that people are saving energy, people are taking part and making their own efforts. Which was what we all need to start doing, sooner rather then later.

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At the exhibit you could see numerous items to use for energy saving and environmentalism. Among these exhibits was a blanket, used to cook food. By putting food onto the blanket over a barbecue stove, you stop any direct contact with the stove or fire. Experts said this helped with food hygiene and an easier way to keep the stove clean.

With a state of the art coffee machine showed that it does not to be power consuming to produce a tasty cup of the nations favourite drink.

Researchers at the show said the bathroom was the most expensive source of peoples water bills. They exhibited the difference between a traditional shower head and a water saving one, stating to save upto 70% of water.

This is an interesting one: a new design of a solar powered light with an ability to block the heat of the sun, so indoor temperatures does not rise when the device is in use! That was a crowd pleaser.

So do a little research and see there are plenty of items, products and services out there fore business and home to help you start saving energy. Here at Enigin we are with he times providing up to date information and products to help your business become energy efficient.

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