Latest news with #Bionic
South Wales Argus
03-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Energy price cap update on zonal energy regional pricing
While this isn't new - the Energy Price Cap already has regional pricing for certain areas - Google searches for 'zonal energy pricing' have skyrocketed. Here's all you need to know about what a zonal energy pricing system could look like and how it could be implemented. So, what is zonal energy pricing, and who would be its winners and losers? Les Roberts, energy expert from Bionic, explains: 'Regional energy pricing, or zonal energy pricing, is set to be one of the biggest changes to the UK electricity market in over 35 years. 'The system, if approved by the government, is set to transform the UK's energy market, aiming to make the system more efficient by creating regional energy markets." What's going to happen to the energy Price Cap & is it worth getting a fix. Here are the latest predictions compared to the cheapest fix. The DOWN 8-9% July prediction is pretty solid, after that it's a bit crystal ball gazing. To find ur cheapest fix use — Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) April 30, 2025 What are regional energy markets? Regional energy markets are based on the cost of generating and transmitting electricity in each zone, rather than a blanket cost for the whole nation. 'In areas where renewable energy sources are in abundance already, such as Scotland, prices are set to fall by up to 8% in the proposed scheme," says Les. "However, in areas such as London and the South, where demand for electricity and energy is high and electricity often needs to be transmitted over long distances, prices are predicted to rise by 2.4% under regional energy pricing.' (Image: Bionic) Analysing the proposed zonal energy scheme, based on monthly utility bills for UK cities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for 85m2 Apartment with percentages and proposed regional zones based on research provided by LPC Delta, Bionic has predicted which UK cities will benefit the most and the least from the regional energy pricing scheme. Birmingham would benefit most from the regional price increase, despite the new scheme proposing a predicted 2.4% increase in energy costs. London is set to rank 5th under the regional pricing scheme, with bills predicted to increase by 2.4%, taking the average monthly bill cost to £238.77. Surprisingly, Aberdeen is still set to have some of the highest utility bills in the UK, despite the proposed zonal energy scheme set to reduce costs by 8%. Les says: 'If implemented, regional energy markets are set to transform the UK's energy market, changing not just how much people pay, but also how and where new energy infrastructure is developed. The scheme is set to incentivise regional investment in clean energy projects and has the potential to accelerate the UK towards its 2050 net-zero target.' Recommended reading: What is the energy price cap and when does it change? The term is quite confusing, and it's important to note it's not the maximum price you will pay - it's an average. If you use more, you will pay more. The cap was introduced on 1 January 2019 by regulator Ofgem, with the aim of preventing the millions of households on expensive variable tariffs from being ripped off. The next change is due to be announced later this month and come into force on July 1. But it only limits what you pay for each unit of gas and electricity that you use. It's based roughly on wholesale energy prices (those that firms pay) and applies only to providers' standard and default tariffs, which the vast majority of households are now on. The energy price cap is the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy and standing charge if you're on a standard variable tariff. The energy price cap also sets a maximum daily standing charge.
The Sun
26-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Improper use of your washing machine might be costing you £500 a year as experts reveals 5 mistakes most Brits make
A COMMON laundry mistake could be costing you money every time you turn on your machine. Experts have revealed the appliance errors which are racking up your household bills. Speaking to the Daily Express, one budgeting expert warned Brits to avoid "simple mistakes" that can add to their household bills. And as energy and water bills continued to increase, these tips can help you make significant savings. Matthew Sheeran from Money Wellness revealed millions of UK households could be "throwing away" up to £500 a year by using their appliances incorrectly. 'People are understandably focused on rising energy and water prices, but what many don't realise is that the way they use their appliances can be just as important," the pro said. "The good news is that these mistakes are easy to fix - and the savings can really add up. "Small changes could put hundreds of pounds back in your pocket every year.' The expert shared that making small changes to your laundry process alone can save you a lot. Selecting too high of a temperature setting can drain your energy supply. The pro explained that washing your clothes at 30 degrees Celsius is just as effective as doing a 40 degree Celsius or 60degree cycle. A typical wash at 60 degree Celsius wash uses around 1.5 to 2 kWh of electricity, while a 30 degree Celsius wash uses only 0.5 to 0.7 kWh, the expert revealed. Savvy woman shares how she creates more drying space inside with £2.99 Home Bargains buy & it even works outside too Washing clothes at higher temperatures four times a week, could be costing you £50 extra every year. Overloading your washing machine is another common error when trying to save. While you may think heaping as much items into one load will help you cut down on costs, the opposite is true. If your machine's drum cannot rotate properly, your clothes do not get cleaned effectively. This puts extra strain on the appliance, which could potentially lead to more frequent repairs or a shorter lifespan. 4 ways to keep your energy bills low Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips. 1. Turn your heating down by one degree You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70. 2. Switch appliances and lights off It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills 3. Install a smart meter Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used. 4. Consider switching energy supplier No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there. An overloaded washing machine can increase energy consumption by up to 15%, resulting in you spending £30 extra annually. And households should also rethink how often they use their tumble dryers. A dryer can consume around 2.5 to 4.5 kWh per cycle, so using it frequently can "quickly add up" the expert said. Frequent use of a tumble dryer could add £150 or more to your annual household bills. He recommended air-drying clothes indoors or outdoors to save on energy costs. You can also be adding to your energy costs if you run your machine with the wrong detergent. 2 This can lead to residue buildup in your washing machine, which makes the appliance less efficient. You may end up having to run an extra cycle to clear it out, wasting up to £15 a year on extra detergent and energy. The expert advised using the correct amount of detergent and opting for an eco-friendly version. These are less likely to leave residue and are gentler on fabrics as well as performing well at lower temperatures, helping your machine run more smoothly. Finally, running your appliances during peak hours can increase your energy bills by 10 to 20%. Instead, use time-of-use tariffs to run your appliances, including your washing machine, during off-peak hours. This will save you money on your energy bills.
The Irish Sun
26-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Improper use of your washing machine might be costing you £500 a year as experts reveals 5 mistakes most Brits make
A COMMON laundry mistake could be costing you money every time you turn on your machine. Experts have revealed the appliance errors which are racking up your household bills. Advertisement 2 A money-saving expert shared his top tips for cutting down on your household bills (stock image) Credit: Getty Speaking to the And as energy and water bills continued to increase, these tips can help you make significant savings. Matthew Sheeran from 'People are understandably focused on rising energy and water prices, but what many don't realise is that the way they use their appliances can be just as important," the pro said. Advertisement Read More On Washing Machines "The good news is that these mistakes are easy to fix - and the savings can really add up. "Small changes could put hundreds of pounds back in your pocket every year.' The expert shared that making small changes to your laundry process alone can save you a lot. Selecting too high of a temperature setting can drain your energy supply. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous The pro explained that washing your clothes at 30 degrees Celsius is just as effective as doing a 40 degree Celsius or 60degree cycle. A typical wash at 60 degree Celsius wash uses around 1.5 to 2 kWh of electricity, while a 30 degree Celsius wash uses only 0.5 to 0.7 kWh, the expert revealed. Savvy woman shares how she creates more drying space inside with £2.99 Home Bargains buy & it even works outside too Washing clothes at higher temperatures four times a week, could be costing you £50 extra every year. Overloading your washing machine is another common error when trying to save. Advertisement While you may think heaping as much items into one load will help you cut down on costs, the opposite is true. If your machine's drum cannot rotate properly, your clothes do not get cleaned effectively. This puts extra strain on the appliance, which could potentially lead to more frequent repairs or a shorter lifespan. 4 ways to keep your energy bills low Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips. 1. Turn your heating down by one degree You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70. 2. Switch appliances and lights off It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills 3. Install a smart meter Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used. 4. Consider switching energy supplier No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there. An overloaded washing machine can increase energy consumption by up to 15%, resulting in you spending £30 extra annually. Advertisement And households should also rethink how often they use their tumble dryers. A dryer can consume around 2.5 to 4.5 kWh per cycle, so using it frequently can "quickly add up" the expert said. Frequent use of a tumble dryer could add £150 or more to your annual household bills. He recommended air-drying clothes indoors or outdoors to save on energy costs. Advertisement You can also be adding to your energy costs if you run your machine with the wrong detergent. 2 Overloading your washing machine can cost you more money in the long-run (stock image) Credit: Getty This can lead to residue buildup in your washing machine, which makes the appliance less efficient. You may end up having to run an extra cycle to clear it out, wasting up to £15 a year on extra detergent and energy. Advertisement The expert advised using the correct amount of detergent and opting for an eco-friendly version. These are less likely to leave residue and are gentler on fabrics as well as performing well at lower temperatures, helping your machine run more smoothly. Finally, running your appliances during peak hours can increase your energy bills by 10 to 20%. Instead, use time-of-use tariffs to run your appliances, including your washing machine, during off-peak hours. Advertisement This will save you money on your energy bills.
Scottish Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
The cheapest place for a pint revealed and prices start at just £2.50
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE cheapest place in the UK for a pint has been revealed - and the average price is just £2.50. Pubgoers in Burnley, Lancashire, can get the cheapest pints, according to data analysed by small business comparison site Bionic. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Drinkers can get two pints in Burnley for less than the price of one pint in London, Belfast or Oxford Credit: Getty Coming in just slightly more expensive was nearby Bury, where a pint will set you back just £2.75 on average. Pints in St Helens, Merseyside, and Harlow, Essex, cost £3 on average. The average cost of a pint in Southport or in Blackpool is slightly more at £3.25. You would pay roughly £3.40 in Salford, or £3.50 in Blackburn. Drinkers in other cities pay almost twice as much. If you're in London, Belfast, Watford, Oxford, Cambridge, Hemel Hempstead, Guildford and Basildon, you'll be paying a huge £6. You might be surprised to find, though, that London doesn't have the most expensive pints. In Brighton and Hove, the average price is £6.05 - and in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, it's a whopping £6.10. That's £3.60 more than the cheapest average pint in Burnley. Bionic also analysed the most popular pint of choice in the UK - and found BrewDog came out on top. All the beers that have lowered in strength The analysis looked Google searches, social media trends data, and the popularity and fame of different alcohol brands. Guinness - which has got everyone talking with its "splitting the g" game - was the second most popular. Meanwhile, Black Sheep was the nation's favourite craft beer and Kopparberg was the UK's favourite cider. Why pubs are pushing up prices The latest figures come after the British Beer and Pub Association warned the average cost of a pint across the UK will rise from around £4.80 to £5.01. It said pubs are expecting to raise their average prices by 21p. Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) found the cost of a pint of draught lager in pubs jumped almost 3% in the year to January 2025. Pubs say they have been forced to push up prices because of a series of cost increases announced in last October's Budget. They say the only way they can stay open is to pass the raised costs on to customers. Simon Dodd, chief executive of Young's, said the chain planned to increase its prices by between 2.5% and 3%. Wetherspoons also recently hiked the price of some of its drinks and meal deals by up to 30p. Meanwhile Heineken increased the price of its draught beer by an average of 2.97% for pubs in February. More than 400 pubs across England and Wales were demolished or converted for other uses last year, figures from Altus Group show. As a result, the number of pubs across the two countries fell below 39,000 for the first time.
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
The cheapest place for a pint revealed and prices start at just £2.50
THE cheapest place in the UK for a pint has been revealed - and the average price is just £2.50. Pubgoers in Burnley, Lancashire, can get the cheapest pints, according to data analysed by small business comparison site Bionic. Coming in just slightly more expensive was nearby Bury, where a pint will set you back just £2.75 on average. Pints in St Helens, Merseyside, and Harlow, Essex, cost £3 on average. The average cost of a pint in Southport or in Blackpool is slightly more at £3.25. You would pay roughly £3.40 in Salford, or £3.50 in Blackburn. Drinkers in other cities pay almost twice as much. If you're in London, Belfast, Watford, Oxford, Cambridge, Hemel Hempstead, Guildford and Basildon, you'll be paying a huge £6. You might be surprised to find, though, that London doesn't have the most expensive pints. In Brighton and Hove, the average price is £6.05 - and in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, it's a whopping £6.10. That's £3.60 more than the cheapest average pint in Burnley. Bionic also analysed the most popular pint of choice in the UK - and found BrewDog came out on top. All the beers that have lowered in strength The analysis looked Google searches, social media trends data, and the popularity and fame of different alcohol brands. Guinness - which has got everyone talking with its "splitting the g" game - was the second most popular. Meanwhile, Black Sheep was the nation's favourite craft beer and Kopparberg was the UK's favourite cider. Why pubs are pushing up prices The latest figures come after the British Beer and Pub Association warned the average cost of a pint across the UK will rise from around £4.80 to £5.01. It said pubs are expecting to raise their average prices by 21p. Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) found the cost of a pint of draught lager in pubs jumped almost 3% in the year to January 2025. Pubs say they have been forced to push up prices because of a series of cost increases announced in last October's Budget. They say the only way they can stay open is to pass the raised costs on to customers. Simon Dodd, chief executive of Young's, said the chain planned to increase its prices by between 2.5% and 3%. Wetherspoons also recently hiked the price of some of its drinks and meal deals by up to 30p. Meanwhile Heineken increased the price of its draught beer by an average of 2.97% for pubs in February. More than 400 pubs across England and Wales were demolished or converted for other uses last year, figures from Altus Group show. As a result, the number of pubs across the two countries fell below 39,000 for the first time. How can I save money at Wetherspoons? FREE refills - Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day. Check a map - Prices can vary from one location the next, even those close to each other. So if you're planning a pint at a Spoons, it's worth popping in nearby pubs to see if you're settling in at the cheapest. Choose your day - Each night the pub chain runs certain food theme nights. For instance, every Thursday night is curry club, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a set price cheaper than usual. Pick-up vouchers - Students can often pick up voucher books in their local near universities, which offer discounts on food and drink, so keep your eyes peeled. Get appy - The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table - but you don't need to be in the pub to use it. Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have used social media to ask their friends and family to order them drinks. The app is free to download on the App Store or Google Play. Check the date - Every year, Spoons holds its Tax Equality Day to highlight the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry. It usually takes place in September, and last year it fell on Thursday, September 14. As well as its 12-day Real Ale Festival every Autumn, Wetherspoons also holds a Spring Festival.
