Whether it’s the evening news or the social media feed, there’s no shortage of reasons to feel anxious. Each night we’re told of America’s debt load; China’s economic slowdown; and Japan’s struggle against deflation. It’s a lot to take in. But if you look at the facts, there are some safe harbours in this turbulent time: utilities.

The origin energy vs agl between what an energy retailer generates and what it sells to customers can be filled in a number of ways. Most fill the gap by entering the National Electricity Market, an almost-national (it excludes Western Australia) market that trades electricity volumes in much the same way the ASX trades shares. This’spot’ market can be volatile; prices can go up or down 100-fold in response to demand surges. Retailers can minimise volatility by hedging or signing contracts with independent generators that oblige them to supply power at a set price. Origin has a major advantage in this area, with its own generation capacity comprising 13% of its total capacity.

From Darkness to Light: Navigating the Process of Electricity Connection

This gives it a massive competitive advantage when it comes to wholesale energy pricing, says Morgans analyst Peter Vickerson. He also points to Origin’s recent move to accelerate the closure of its uneconomic Eraring coal-fired power station to 2025, six years earlier than planned. This is the sort of action that should placate critics who argue the company hasn’t done enough to close down coal assets consistent with Paris climate goals.

Plastic double glazing and aluminium are both highly resilient to the elements, revered for their energy efficiency ratings and come in a variety of different styles to suit the exact specifications of your home. Both materials are also durable and require minimal maintenance requirements, making them a popular choice with homeowners.

UPVC double glazing limits the transfer of heat or cold which reduces your need for expensive heating or cooling and can help to minimise the build-up of condensation in your windows, doors & conservatories. Moisture on a warm surface forms droplets of water known as condensation which can be extremely damaging to your home. When these droplets form on a window they are unable to evaporate due to the low temperature of the air and can encourage mildew and mould. UPVC double glazing is more resistant to moisture than wood or aluminium which helps it maintain its durability and avoid damage from condensation.

Maximizing Energy Efficiency: The Advantages of Plastic Double Glazing

The gap between the panes of a UPVC double-glazed window is filled with an inert gas (usually Argon) which slows the transfer of heat. When cold air is transferred between two panes of glass, the gaps on either side of the frame act as a thermal bridge and transfer some of the cold from the outside to the inside of the window. Argon has a 34% reduced rate of conduction than air meaning less heat is lost from the inside to the outside of the window.

The spacer bars on the edge of a double-glazed unit are made from warm edge technology which is blended from stainless steel and polypropylene. The warm edge spacer bars are a much better conductor of warmth than old aluminium and significantly reduce heat loss around the edges of the sealed unit.

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Whether it’s to illuminate your driveway or spotlight the blooms in your garden, outdoor lighting adds a lot to the look and feel of your home. Choosing the right lights for your needs is crucial; you might want multiple brightness levels, specific design aesthetics to match your home’s decor or even a smart feature to control your lighting on-the-go. The following lighting picks are the best for a range of different purposes, and each one is built to last.

How much does it cost to hang outdoor lights?

The Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights are an inexpensive option to consider for your yard or patio. They come with a stake that allows you to position them in the ground or on a deck railing for more versatility. During testing, the lights were able to stand up to 50 miles-per-hour winds and heavy rain. LightTN outdoor lighting also have a good ingress protection rating—a combination of the numbers that signify resistance to solids and water, respectively.

This landscape lighting is a good pick for illuminating paths, sidewalks, or focal points in your yard or garden. It’s easy to set up, and the bulbs give off a soft white glow. While the lights aren’t super bright, you can connect up to three strands for additional brightness. And if you’d like to use them with Alexa, the lights have a Ring Bridge that lets you do so.

Most landscape lighting is low voltage and relies on a step-down transformer to reduce your home’s 120-volt electricity to the 12 volts needed by landscape lights. The transformer helps keep you safe from shocks and makes the installation process much faster.

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