06 Jun 2025
By Carl Dodd

The UK is helping oil and gas workers switch to green energy careers

2025, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, green sector, heat pumps, housing, hydroelectricity, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., solar array, solar panel, sustainability
The winds of change Around 90 per cent of fossil fuel workers have skills that are relevant to the clean energy transition. The winds of change are indeed blowing across the UK, as it embarks on an energy transition that is both good for the economy and essential to curbing climate change. Homegrown wind and solar are taking over from fossil fuels, but it's important that workers aren't left behind. Job losses are occurring in the oil and gas industry at an astonishing rate, with some reports indicating potentially significant reductions in the workforce. A report by Robert Gordon University suggests that the UK could lose…
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16 May 2025
By Carl Dodd

The solar tipping point: new-build homes to get mandatory solar panels by 2027

affordable warmth, air pollution, air quality, Carl Dodd, circular economy, draught-proofing, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, EV, green sector, heat pumps, housing, hydroelectricity, loft insulation, low impact, low carbon living, Net Zero Carbon, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, solar array, solar panel, sustainability, sustainable living, tiny homes, tiny houses
A landmark policy shift The sun is finally rising on a more sustainable housing future in England. The UK government has announced that by 2027, virtually all new homes in England will be legally required to have solar panels installed during construction. This isn't just a nod to greener ambitions - it's a practical, cost-saving, and long-overdue change that could redefine our national relationship with energy. For decades, the conversation around decarbonising the housing stock has been weighted heavily toward retrofitting old buildings. But this policy, which mandates solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for new builds, shifts the focus to future-proofing…
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17 Apr 2025
By Carl Dodd

Finland ahead of schedule on coal phase out

affordable warmth, air pollution, Carl Dodd, ecosystem, electric vehicle, emissions, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, Environment, EV, green sector, heat pumps, hydroelectricity, low impact, low carbon living, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., rechargeable, reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, solar array, solar panel, sustainability, sustainable living, wind power, wind turbine
Finnish company P2X Solutions' commercial green hydrogen production at its facility  'Green power' in Finland has more than doubled since 2020 The recent closure of a coal power plant in Finland brought the country to the brink of a full coal phase-out - four years ahead of schedule. Power utility company Helen officially decommissioned its Salmisaari plant in Helsinki on April 1st, dropping coal to a less than 1 per cent share of the country's energy mix. Alongside reducing emissions and increasing energy independence, it says the switch is also helping it to cut customers' electricity bills. "We have been…
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21 Mar 2025
By Carl Dodd

£180m solar investment for school and hospitals

2025, affordable warmth, Carl Dodd, circular economy, emissions, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, hospitals, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., recycling, reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, schools, solar array, solar panel, sustainability, sustainable living
Massive solar investment Hundreds of schools and hospitals across the UK are set to receive £180 million for solar panels from the government's new state-owned energy company. The first major investment from Great British Energy was recently announced as part of government efforts to reduce the country's planet-warming emissions. The move was welcomed by the school leader's union and NHS providers who said it would also help to manage the "enormous financial pressure" of energy bills. The government also hopes that the project, to provide solar panels for 200 schools and 200 hospitals, will reduce the use of fossil fuels…
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07 Mar 2025
By Carl Dodd

Green sector growth: three times faster than the UK economy

2025, Carl Dodd, circular economy, ecosystem, electric vehicle, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, EV, green sector, heat pumps, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., rainwater harvesting, reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, solar array, sustainability, tenants, tiny homes, up-cycling, wind power, wind turbine
The Net Zero factor New analysis from the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit found that the net zero sector is growing at triple the rate of the UK's economy. This is creating high-paying jobs across the country, while cutting emissions and increasing energy security. Green sectors such as clean energy, EVs, green finance and railways are growing expandingly, with a growth of 10% in 2024 and 9% in 2023. These sectors employ almost a million people in full-time jobs. Green sectors also help balance job distribution, which is often concentrated in London and the South East. Net zero jobs are…
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24 Jan 2025
By Carl Dodd

2024 was a chaotic weather year

2025, affordable warmth, air pollution, air quality, Carl Dodd, draught-proofing, ecosystem, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, Floods, heat pumps, Heatwave, housing, humidity, hydroelectricity, KLB – Scottish NZC, loft insulation, mould, Net Zero Carbon, peat restoration, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., rainwater harvesting, recycling, reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, solar array, solar panel, sustainability, sustainable living, tenants, ventilation, water neutrality, weatherproof, wind power, wind turbine
The effects of climate change are becoming more evident 2024 was a record-breaking year for extreme weather in the UK. Storms and floods caused an unprecedented level of damage to homes and businesses, leaving many homeowners facing costly repairs and insurance claims. Heavy rainfall, high winds, and flooding were more frequent and severe. With climate risks intensifying, homeowners can no longer afford to be reactive. Instead, proactive measures like retrofitting offer a long-term solution to protect properties against extreme weather. Retrofitting homes with better insulation, flood resistance, and storm-proof features is not just about avoiding damage - it is about…
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10 Jan 2025
By Carl Dodd

The Future of Retrofit: what to expect in 2025

affordable warmth, air quality, carbon sequestration, Carl Dodd, circular economy, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, heat pumps, housing, hydroelectricity, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, mindfulness, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, solar array, solar panel, sustainability, sustainable living, tenants, wind power, wind turbine
What lies ahead... As leading UK retrofit specialists, PRL has witnessed significant changes in the industry over the past few years. The urgency of decarbonisation, rising energy costs, and stricter building regulations have all contributed to a rapid evolution in retrofit practices. Now that we find ourselves once again at the start of a new year, it is essential to consider what lies ahead for homeowners, landlords, and industry professionals alike. The drive for energy efficiency We feel that one of the biggest drivers for retrofit in 2025 will continue to be energy efficiency. The UK government's net-zero targets mean…
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25 Oct 2024
By Carl Dodd

Keeping your home cosy and energy efficient as the nights draw in

affordable warmth, air quality, Carl Dodd, circular economy, damp, draught-proofing, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, floor insulation, heat pumps, housing, KLB – Scottish NZC, lifestyle transformation, loft insulation, low impact, low carbon living, mould, Net Zero Carbon, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, solar array, solar panel, sustainability, sustainable living, ventilation, weatherproof
How to prepare for an energy-efficient autumn/winter season As the cooler months set in across the UK, there's no better time to ensure your home is ready to combat the autumn and winter chill. Retrofitting an older home with energy-efficient upgrades not only helps to keep it warm, but also reduces heating costs and carbon emissions. The benefits of an energy-efficient home A well-prepared home is vital for enduring the colder months, and retrofitting can yield multiple advantages: Lower Energy Bills: efficient insulation and heating systems reduce reliance on constant heating, keeping bills manageable. Increased Comfort: insulation and draught-proofing retain…
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13 Sep 2024
By Carl Dodd

August was the UK’s greenest ever month

Carl Dodd, ecosystem, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, Heatwave, hydroelectricity, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, solar array, solar panel, sustainability, sustainable living, wind power, wind turbine
August 2024: a record-breaking month The UK's electricity grid had its greenest ever month in August, when the amount of power generated by fossil fuels fell to a record low. Data shows that both wind and solar produced more electricity than gas throughout the month. The amount of power generated by fossil fuels dropped to 3.6 terawatt-hours (TWh). By comparison, even in lockdown, it never fell below 4TWh. The figures come as the UK's last coal-fired power plant at Ratcliffe-on-Soar prepares to close on September 30th, marking the end of coal-fired power in the UK. At its peak, coal provided more than…
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19 Jul 2024
By Carl Dodd

How to keep your home and garden cool during a heatwave

air pollution, air quality, bees, biodiversity, Carl Dodd, ecosystem, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, forest bathing, heat pumps, Heatwave, houseplants, housing, humidity, KLB – Scottish NZC, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, Nature, one planet living, organic, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., rainwater harvesting, reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, rewilding, Shinrin-yoku, solar array, solar panel, sustainability, sustainable living, ventilation, wind power
The retrofit approach As climate change drives increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves across the UK, keeping our homes cool has become a growing concern. However, the traditional approach of using air conditioning and relying on artificial cooling methods is not only energy-intensive but also environmentally unsustainable. As we are all committed to reducing our carbon footprint and living in harmony with nature, it's good to know that there are greener, more ecological ways to keep our homes cool during a heatwave. In this Blog, I explore the sustainable strategies that focus on making your home and garden work with nature…
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