So far only E.ON and Co-operative Energy have confirmed that they will take part in the scheme but only after E.ON stated that they wouldn’t get involved in a price war and Co-operative Energy were told that they only had to put forward their existing best tariff so as not to alienate existing custom.

Other leading energy companies including British Gas, SSE, Ecotricity, Ovo and Utilia have already confirmed that they will not be entering the bidding process and there has been criticism from some who claim that Which? are not being transparent enough about how much they will profit from the campaign.

No reason has been given for the delay to the bidding process, but it would be safe to presume that Which? are perhaps hoping that more energy companies will enter the auction. Whether they will or not remains to be seen.

Those who are looking for an immediate drop in the cost of their energy bills and who have yet to get their old traditional windows replaced need to invest in double glazing in Gloucester as a set of replacement windows will make a huge difference.

The UPVC frame and energy efficient glass of a contemporary window offers top notch insulation so that you can use your heating far less often than you would do normally. This will also help lower any carbon emissions and protect the environment.

So if you are one of the estimated 250,000 who have signed up for the Big Switch, install new windows or conservatories in Gloucester in readiness for it.

If this proves to be the case, Greenway has compiled the following list of water-saving hints and tips:

• Water companies regularly hand out a range of water-saving freebies to customers. Get in touch with yours and see what they can offer you.
• Before going to bed last thing at night, check to ensure that all taps are firmly turned off as a dripping tap can lead to significant water wastage.
• If you ever find yourself with surplus clean water never throw it away! It can always be used in some way e.g. watering your plants.
• Those on a water meter should always take a regular reading so that they always receive an accurate bill and never get over-charged.
• Try not to over-flush your toilet as each flush can use up to three litres of water.
• Reduce the amount of time you spend in the shower and try to cut down on the number of baths you take.
• Collect any rainwater (a regular occurrence) and use it for watering plants and flowers.
• When making a cup of tea or coffee only fill the kettle with as much water as you need.
• Never wash plates and cutlery under a running tap. The same goes when having a shave and brushing your teeth in that you should always turn the tap off.

Greenway Home Improvements are Wales no.1 home improvement company, supplying, fitting and installing replacement windows, double glazing and UPVC windows.

But E.ON have only agreed to get involved in the initiative after listing a couple of provisos prior to the auction taking place.

This includes confirmation that should they win the auction they will not only offer the winning tariff to the 250,000 customers who have signed up to the Big Switch, but they will also offer it to their existing 4.8 million residential customers in the interests of fairness.

E.ON’s marketing director Jeremy Davies also says that the company will refuse to get drawn into a price war with other companies to win the auction, quoting ‘We have made clear we will not engage in so-called “deep discounting” in order to win new customers.’

Whilst it is good that E.ON have put their name forward, their rhetoric suggests that should they prove to come out on top in the Big Switch those who have signed up are unlikely to benefit from a significant drop in their energy bills. There also many other small and large-scale energy companies yet to confirm whether they will associate themselves with the scheme so whether there will be a sufficient level of competition is currently uncertain.

In fact, the news would seem to provide music to the ears of existing E.ON customers more so than anybody else as even those currently on a fixed E.ON tariff will be offered the winning deal which could well see them benefit hugely.

Those looking for an instant cut in energy bills should visit Greenway Home Improvements for the best replacement windows, UPVC windows and glass extensions.

It is only when you take time to look at the exterior of your home that you really appreciate what needs doing to help make it look more aesthetically-pleasing. Sometimes you will notice that the roofline is in severe need of a repainting, your garden needs trimming or it could be that your windows and doors have seen better days.

Once windows and doors become unsightly you know that the time has come to get them replaced as they alone can completely ruin the whole look of your home. There is nothing worse than seeing frames that lack paint and which have become poor at keeping out the cold air from the outdoors.

You should install replacement windows in their place as double glazing in Gloucester not only looks good, but it also offers a level of energy efficiency that no single glazed window can compete with.

The moment you install new windows and doors it will be immediately evident. The appearance will be transformed and it will give you a renewed price for your home that you may not have possessed for a considerable amount of time.

Once the front of house has been dealt with, you should then look to do something out the back. Try conservatories in Gloucester for the perfect finishing touch.

By persevering with your old windows you are literally throwing your money away as single glazed windows are poor at storing heat. Each time you go to turn your heating up to compensate for the cold air that flows through your home, you are not only damaging your finances but you are also damaging the environment.

Putting new windows in their place will be one of the most sensible investments you will ever make as double glazing prevents heat loss and can save you a small fortune in energy bills each and every year for at least the next 20 years.

The installation of double glazing in Bristol will be immediately noticeable to both you and anyone who views your home as aesthetically its appearance will be completely transformed. The fresh and clean finish applied to a UPVC frame will make your home the stand-out property in your local area.

When replacing windows you need to be certain that you choose a finish that best complements the existing exterior of your property. Nowadays this is easily done as frames can be finished in a choice of eye-catching colours other than just traditional white. Cream, black, grey and wood grain finishes are just a small example of the options you have available.

Anyone worried about their home potentially being broken into can put their mind at rest when they leave it empty by getting double glazing installed. Not only do UPVC windows come fitted with a lock that offers huge strength in the face of adversity, but the two panes of glass are internally glazed so that they cannot be removed from the outside, enough to put off even the most determined burglar.

Waking up first thing in the morning to windows full of condensation will also be a thing of the past as double glazing in the home and when used in orangeries offers fantastic temperature control so that moisture never appears.

Using heat in the home more efficiently will benefit your home, your wallet and the overall health of the planet so contemporary windows are a must-have item.

Replacement windows in the form of UPVC windows will not only provide your home with aesthetic benefits, but they will also help increase the amount of natural light that hits your living space, keep you warm and reduce the amount of noise heard when indoors.

All UK homeowners are currently worried about their energy bills in particular, as energy prices have soared in recent years. As a window gets older it becomes less effective at storing the warm air that is generated by your boiler and it also commonly allows draughts to form in the home which then leads to heating costs rising.

Double glazing solves all these problems as it better utilises warm air and eliminates any draughts that previously made their way inside the home. When temperatures outside are favourable and your home needs heat, a set of double glazed windows will even transfer much of that warm air inside so any chance of you feeling the cold indoors will be minimised.

The finish applied to your new choice of windows will make your home stand-out like never before and will remind you just why you fell in love with it in the first place. It really does have that ability.

Once you have the front of your home made over, why not look at transforming the back. Greenway fits, installs and manufactures glass extensions, the newest form of home extension for 21^st Century homes.

When UK homeowners see such figures many will feel a certain sense of anger, especially when you consider that the cost of household fuel has risen massively over the past couple of years. But rather than get worked up about it property owners should be investigating ways of bringing the cost of their energy bills down.

It goes without saying that a change of windows are required if you still have timber windows at your home as they are one of the main sources of heat loss. Traditional windows just don’t age well and as they get older will allow heat to escape through the glass and window frame. The less heat you feel in your home, the more inclined you are to turn up your heating.

On the other hand, replacement windows such as UPVC windows will improve insulation ten-fold so that you don’t have to pay a fortune simply to stay warm indoors. The insulation the glass and frame provides in a UPVC window is superb and will enable you to use your heating far less frequently.

The performance offered by double glazing is something you can reply upon for at least the next 20 years. Evidence of wear and tear or premature ageing will never be an issue with a double glazed window.

Check out a whole host of contemporary windows by visiting one of Greenway’s two stylish showrooms.

With house prices constantly fluctuating and many UK families struggling to attract the interest they need to sell their current property, the addition of a home extension can sometimes be all it takes to capture the eye of a buyer.

When your hear the words ‘home extension’ one automatically thinks of conservatories, orangeries, garage and loft conversions etc. However, there is a new form of home extension available in the form of the glass extension.

Glass extensions are without doubt the most contemporary and exciting way of adding new useable living space to your home as they offer truly stunning aesthetics and are unlike any other form of extension around.

They can also bring your home that bit closer to your garden so that you can enjoy spectacular views of the rear of your property whatever the weather. The Veranda area attached to the extension also gives you the added advantage of being able to enjoy the outdoors under cover as it comes with an over-hanging glass roof.

Because it is predominantly composed of glass, the glass extension will bring an enormous amount of natural light inside. This will help make the extension feel inviting and comfortable, making it the perfect location for all those special occasions with family and friends. The energy efficiency offered by a glass extension is also certain to prevent heating bills from getting out of hand.

Although planning permission may be needed before you can install a glass extension, your chosen installer should be able to take responsibility for obtaining it on your behalf. Should permission then be granted it will only take a few weeks for a glass extension to take shape so you can therefore be inside enjoying it in no time at all.

You can potentially use a glass extension with UPVC windows in a variety of different ways. The way you utilise it may be dependent upon your family’s lifestyle so make a firm decision before installation begins.

Whilst extending your home, you could also look into investing in replacement windows as they are a further way of modernising your property in the 21^st Century.

Replacement windows will help reduce the amount of energy that is lost through your windows as a set of UPVC windows come with double glazed glass tightly sealed against the UPVC frame. This also prevents outdoor air from making its way into your home which is something that usually causes you to turn on your boiler, resulting in costly energy bills.

As well as the energy-saving qualities of double glazing they can also transform the overall aesthetic appeal of your home as there are a range of coloured frame finishes now available. White, grey, red, black, green etc. are just an example of some of the colours that you can expect to find. Many of the finishes offer a wood grain effect that replicates that of a traditional timber window.

Anybody looking to improve the security of their home should put their faith in new windows as you can leave your home empty with guaranteed confidence. This is because the glass is internally glazed and can therefore not be removed from the outside and the locking mechanism can stay firm under pressure from potential thieves.

The benefits to be had from investing in new windows will not only be felt this spring, but well into the long-term future.

Greenway Home Improvements are one of the largest stockists of high-quality windows. Come down to Pontypool or Raglan to explore the full range.

But this could all be about to change as energy watchdog Ofgem has ordered the nation’s energy suppliers to cut their tariffs otherwise run the risk of having a mandatory cap put on prices so that householders can no longer be ‘ripped off’.

The Big Six consist of EDF, E.on, British Gas, Southern, Scottish Power and npower.

The news comes at a time when despite one of the mildest winters in recent memory, many of the major energy suppliers have announced large profits even though many homeowners will have used less gas than they normally would do at this time of year. This has resulted in Ofgem trying to step in and do something about it.

Whether the energy companies take heed of Ofgem’s warning friendly advice of warning is open to debate. If one of the big six stands up and take notice then it usually results in the rest following in order to compete which can only be good news for homeowners at a time when energy is undoubtedly one of their major outgoings.

The high cost of energy has been beneficial to some as it has enabled many of the smaller energy companies to gain a foothold in the market. Although a wholesale drop in energy would be very beneficial to customers it could perhaps have an adverse effect on the ability of the lesser-named energy companies to compete.

Those looking for a more immediate cut in their energy bills should look towards installing double glazing in Gloucester as replacement windows offer guaranteed energy efficiency. Each time you turn on your heating you can rely upon a double glazed window to keep heat stored and reduce draughts.

The energy savings you make will then cover the initial investment made, justify the price paid for a fresh new set of energy efficient windows.

Here’s hoping Ofgem manage to get their message across to the country’s energy companies as it will give us all money to add value to our homes with extras such as conservatories in Gloucester.