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SMA goes zero carbon - how green are your suppliers?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 25 October 2013 at 9:21 am
While the empasis on selling solar panels over the past few years has been on the financial benefits, I also find it very satisfactory to think about the environmental benefits. It's great that I'm generating free electricity, but I also like knowing that I've reduced the carbon emiss…
Tansor village hall: a case study of a solar-powered heat pump in a community building
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 24 October 2013 at 9:27 am
A village hall which is using a lottery grant to install an air source heat pump partially powered by solar panels has come up with a way of still qualifying for the government's feed-in tarrif (FiTs). Under FiT rules, installations that are funded by public money, includin…
What happens to the feed-in tariff if I move energy supplier?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 22 October 2013 at 11:31 am
Q: If I choose to change my present energy supplier (dual fuel), will I be able to leave my feed-in tariff (FiT) payment liability with my original supplier or must I take it with me to the new supplier. In either case will I still receive the same FIT rate as I currently receive. A: Th…
MCS deadline for registering legacy renewable heat systems - an update
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 21 October 2013 at 10:29 am
Tomorrow is the deadline by which people who have installed a renewable heating system since 15 July 2009 must ensure that it is registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) if they want to receive the renewable heat incentive. Yet, a quick check this morning reveals th…
Green gas takes a step closer to your home
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 18 October 2013 at 10:41 am
The possibility of being able to buy truly green gas from the grid, has taken a step closer to realisation thanks to the arrival on the market of a second, certified supplier of 100 per cent green gas. Ceres Energy has signed up to become the second registered supplier of biomethane und…
Do self builders need a green deal assessment to claim RHI?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 17 October 2013 at 9:55 am
Q: We have had a single new house built for us this year and have an air source heat pump. Naturally we would like to apply for the renewable heat incentive when it comes in next year. You said in your blog of 25 July 2013 that you need a green deal assessment to apply unless you are a self-build…
Volunteers wanted for trial of heat pump controls
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 15 October 2013 at 11:17 am
Is it just me, or are heat pumps the most confusing of beasts? I had a Daikin Altherma air source heat pump installed by an MCS registered installer in 2012 to replace a hopelesssly out-of-date storage heating system in a 1950s chalet-style house. Last winter we received electricity bills…
Installers: would you support a level 3 NVQ in renewable technology?
Posted by Ged Ennis on 14 October 2013 at 10:34 am
Five years ago I approached our local college about developing a level 3 NVQ in renewable technology. My company has worked with them for the past 20 years, taking a variety of apprentices through a range of building-related trade qualifications. I knew the staff well and thought would do somethi…
I've got RHPP - is it worth applying for RHI?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 11 October 2013 at 10:07 am
Q: I am trying to calculate whether it is going to be worth us applying for RHI (renewable heat incentive) since we have already obtained RHPP (renewable heat premium payment). Am I right in thinking that those with a high efficiency construction, requiring a smaller boiler, will we get less…
Is all my solar electricity being exported?
Posted by Chris Rudge on 10 October 2013 at 9:22 am
Q: I suspect that all the generation from my 3.12 kW Solar photovoltaic panels is being exported as since installation almost 2 years ago my electricity bills have increased rather than reduced despite over 5,000 kWh being generated. How can I check this is the case? A: Any power be…
Will solar panels affect the warranty on my new build home?
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 8 October 2013 at 9:10 am
Q: I have a question relating to solar panels and the NHBC warranty on our new build property. We have recently moved in to a new, two bedroom bungalow in Scarborough and thought that we would get a few quotes for solar panels on the roof. On contacting NHBC regarding the 10-year warranty pr…
How good a deal are solar panels from Ikea?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 7 October 2013 at 10:46 am
Famous for flat-pack furniture and its clean, Scandinavian design, Ikea is a surprise entrant into the solar PV market. With 18 massive stores in the UK it's known for value for money household goods (some would say cheap) and jokes about Allen keys. So would you trust it to sell you solar pa…
Will installing a wind turbine affect my RHI application for a heat pump?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 4 October 2013 at 9:36 am
Q: We have installed a ground source heat pump and will be applying for the renewable heat incentive (RHI). We are now considering installing a wind turbine. How will this interact with our heat pump RHI application, if at all? Our EPC rating will improve with a turbine and as I understand it RHI…
Beat the RHI deadline for MCS registration of renewable heat systems
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 2 October 2013 at 3:31 pm
If your renewable heating system is not registered with the microgeneration certification scheme (MCS), there are still a few things you can do, to ensure that you meet the 22 October 2013 deadline for registration. If your heating system is not registered on the MCS installation databa…
Will solar panels affect the sale of my house?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 1 October 2013 at 12:40 pm
Q: I recently purchased a buy to let property with a mortgage and would like to know my options for solar panels. I would be buying the panels outright but I am unsure as to whether I can benefit from the feed in tariff as my property has a mortgage. Also would there be issues with re-selling the…
Smart meters: too smart for our own good?
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 30 September 2013 at 10:15 am
A survey by the Energy Saving Trust has found that almost three quarters of respondents support the installation of smart meters in their homes. But commentators are warning that the meters pose risks to individual privacy and national security. The survey, conducted ahead of …
Are there really brand new boilers available free of charge?
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 27 September 2013 at 9:22 am
Q: I have had a phone call from someone offering me a brand new boiler, absolutely free. Is this a scam? A: The phone rings and someone on the end of the line offers you a brand new boiler - absolutely free. Naturally you are sceptical. After months of unsolicited calls offering you…
How is the seasonal performance factor of my heat pump calculated?
Posted by Graham Hazell on 26 September 2013 at 9:09 am
Q: I am still unclear how the seasonal performance factor (SPF) of my heat pump is calculated for the purposes of making tariff payments under forthcoming domestic renewable heat incentive (RHI). Is it simply based on the manufacturers' claims or is there some way of calculating it from real …
How to make the most of bio-energy
Posted by Stewart Boyle on 25 September 2013 at 9:18 am
Bio-energy (or biomass) tends to divide a generally pro-renewables audience. Fed by countless images of rainforest destruction, ‘Fuel vs Food’ slogans, and general suspicion of anyone who chops down trees, bio-energy has its fans but its detractors. ‘Do we have enough fuel?&rsqu…
Deadline to register your renewable heat installation looming
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 24 September 2013 at 9:15 am
The government has issued a deadline for registering renewable heat installations under the microgeneration certification scheme (MSC). The deadline, of 4pm on October 22, 2013, applies to all renewable heat installations made since July 15, 2009. If you believe your installation has yet …
How to choose internal solid wall insulation
Posted by Chris Newman on 23 September 2013 at 9:37 am
10 million properties in the UK which are solid walled. This accounts for slightly less than half of the total properties. Energy loss through the walls accounts for around one third of all wasted energy in solid walled properties and with rising energy costs and tougher building regulations …
Is YouGen on the right track? We'd like to know (good or bad!)
Posted by Gilly Jones on 23 September 2013 at 8:02 am
YouGen has been up and running for more than four years now and we’re drawing up exciting plans for YouGen mark two, which we hope to build next year. We want to make sure that it delivers all the help and support you need both before and after you tackle an energy project. And, of cour…
How to choose low energy lightbulbs
Posted by greentomatoenergy . on 20 September 2013 at 9:20 am
Somewhere between 16 and 19 per cent of global power consumed is used for lighting so it makes sense to look at how efficiencies can be made. Traditional lightbulbs, also known as incandescent bulbs (for the purposes of this blog this includes halogens), work by passing electricity through a …
Another gong for YouGen!
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 19 September 2013 at 9:01 am
It's not like us to blow our own trumpets but - PARP! - we did just want to say how proud we are to have been named Green Business of the Year at an award ceremony for women in business. Our founder Cathy Debenham also reached the finals of the Inspirational Woman category of this year's …
Biomass 'best heating solution' for businesses
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 18 September 2013 at 9:23 am
Converting your business to biomass heating has the potential to deliver some of the most significant and cost-effective carbon savings of all renewable heating technologies, The Carbon Trust has claimed. In its guide, Biomass heating: A practical guide for potential users, the Carbon Trust s…
Big businesses to undergo compulsory energy assessments
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 17 September 2013 at 8:50 am
The average big UK business could save £56,400 a year on energy bills under a government scheme to force businesses to undergo energy assessments. At least that’s the bold claim of the department of energy and climate change (DECC) who are consulting on proposals they hope will en…
How do I claim the domestic renewable heat incentive?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 16 September 2013 at 9:08 am
Q: I have recently installed an air to heat system in my home. What do I have to do to claim the renewable heat incentive payment? A: First, I'm assuming you are talking about an air to water heat pump. If you have an air-to-air heat pump then you are not eligible for the renewable heat i…
Should I buy a device to store my solar generated electricity?
Posted by Chris Rudge on 13 September 2013 at 10:18 am
Q: I have solar PV panels on my roof. There are now some devices becoming available that enable one to store the surplus electricity to use at another time, for example after dark. They are expensive to purchase though. How do they work; are they a good investment; and are there any models y…
Why is my EPC rating so poor with my new biomass boiler?
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 12 September 2013 at 9:58 am
Q: Following the installation of a super-efficient biomass boiler, my energy bills dropped but my energy performance certificate (EPC) rating plummeted 26 points to a G. I’m convinced that the report is incorrect but where do I turn to get this corrected? We removed a 20-year-old boiler…
The UK's most energy-efficient period properties throw open their doors
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 11 September 2013 at 11:01 am
If you’re considering refurbishing your energy-guzzling period property to make it run more efficiently then here’s a chance to see how others have done it first. SuperHomes Open Days is a countrywide open house scheme where owners of 54 older, retrofitted homes throw open their d…
What is the greenest way of heating our new studio?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 10 September 2013 at 10:46 am
Q: We have planning permission to replace existing garage with a fully insulated garage and studio. What is the greenest / most efficient way of providing hot water and heating to the studio? We have mains electricity; access to plenty of wood; oil (which we use as sparingly as possible); and…
Devon businesses can check out biomass heating at open day
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 9 September 2013 at 11:50 am
Devon biomass businesses are throwing open the doors of more than 20 installations to the public on September 18. 11 businesses and their customers have come together for the Renewable Heat at Work open day to show where the fuel comes from, and let visitors get hands-on with wood-powere…
Can I get the domestic RHI if I'm replacing a renewable heating system?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 6 September 2013 at 9:43 am
Q: I installed a stove type pellet boiler back in 2006 - which is great. But last year we extended our house and the boiler is probably a bit on the small side. Also as we get older we will find it easier to have a boiler with a bulk store. If I install a bigger output boiler now will I qualify f…
Why we should build renewables into new homes
Posted by James Page on 5 September 2013 at 9:20 am
When the government proposed a 'bonfire of red tape' I never seriously thought they would want to stop renewable energy requirements for new buildings. One of the few levers local authorities have over builders is to make planning permission conditional on provisions, such as solar panels…
How do I know if my solar thermal panels are working correctly?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 3 September 2013 at 9:55 am
Q: We have had solar PV and solar thermal installed in 2010. While I'm very happy with the solar PV, the solar thermal has never worked particularly well. But as the boiler makes sure there is hot water mornings and evenings when we need it, we haven't really looked into it until now. …
Is the solar industry being held to ransom by DNOs?
Posted by Rupert Higgin on 30 August 2013 at 10:19 am
There appears to be little synergy or common ways of working between the seven main Distribution Network Operator companies (DNOs) in the UK, with each one having its own charges and processes. To get the best results, solar installers need to understand their business and develop relations…
Consumer group finds the brightest energy saving light bulbs
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 29 August 2013 at 10:19 am
LEDs light bulbs are getting brighter and cheaper to buy according to the latest Which? tests. The consumer organisation identified 14 best buy LED light bulbs, three of which are as bright as a traditional 60w bulb, and five more that match the brightness of a 40w incandescent bulb for brightnes…
How to choose a green deal advisor
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 23 August 2013 at 9:41 am
Choosing a green deal advisor is the first step on your journey to participating in the green deal scheme. It is important to choose an advisor in whom you have confidence as it is their findings that will inform the energy saving measures your provider is able to install in your home. There …
What to do if you want a green energy tariff
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 22 August 2013 at 10:16 am
Npower announced in July that it was scrapping its domestic green electricity tariff for new customers, while EDF, E.ON, SSE and Scottish Power are also no longer offering a domestic green tariff for those wishing to switch. This is a side effect of the government's attempts to crack down…
How do I find a local green deal advisor or provider?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 19 August 2013 at 9:31 am
Q: I've had a green deal advice report done, and am trying hard to find a provider in Devon. Hope you can help. A: To find a green deal provider go to www.greendealorb.co.uk/consumersearch and enter your postcode. You can also search for green deal assessor organisations at the same …
Will the green deal pay for a boiler replacement in my kitchen extension?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 16 August 2013 at 9:36 am
Q: I'm planning on extending the kitchen and updating the boiler. We live in a 20s house with no cavity and a gas Aga running the heating. Can I access money from the green deal? I spoke to the energy efficiency people as well as British Gas and they said I'd have to wait to complete the …
Heat pumps can be an efficient alternative to electric, oil or LPG heating says EST field trial
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 15 August 2013 at 9:12 am
Heat pumps can provide an efficient alternative heat source for householders currently heating using electricity, oil, LPG or solid fuel according to phase two of the Energy Saving Trust's (EST) heat pump field trial. Well installed heat pumps, in homes which have adequate insu…
Will my Immersun qualify for RHI payments?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 13 August 2013 at 10:58 am
Q: We have recently installed an Immersun to compliment our solar PV. This is using between 4 and 6 Kw hours per day to heat our water. It was simple to install and much cheaper than our solar thermal panel in our last house. Does the Immersun (or equivalent) qualify for a renewable heat incentiv…
5 top tips for choosing a biomass boiler for your home
Posted by Gabriel Wondrausch on 12 August 2013 at 9:23 am
Q: I am going nuts about installing a modern biomass boiler. We are committed to renewables for our stable conversion and have planning permission for a boiler house especially built for a biomass pellet boiler. However, I am struggling to find quotes and advice (eg. how the pellets will be deliv…
Will the green deal really make my home overheat?
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 7 August 2013 at 9:06 am
You’ve got to pity the poor department for energy and climate change. No sooner have they announced a flagship green deal scheme to beef up our home insulation and make us all cosy and energy efficient then the weather goes and gets all hot and we all start opening the windows and swit…
What's in a brand when choosing solar panels?
Posted by Chris Jardine on 6 August 2013 at 12:04 pm
In the latest of my series of blogs looking at what makes the ‘best’ solar panel, I thought I’d look at the importance of brand name in determining product choice. Perhaps you’ve bought a new TV lately? How did you choose what one to get? Perhaps you’ve just pi…
I have heard that a green deal provider can increase my repayments by two per cent a year. Is this true?
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 5 August 2013 at 9:49 am
Well, yes, it is. It has been widely publicised that a green deal plan offers a fixed rate of interest, meaning that in most cases, your repayments will remain the same throughout the course of your loan. But a little bit of digging has revealed that there could be circumstances in which your…
LED lighting system to save more than £15,000 over five years
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 2 August 2013 at 9:22 am
A new lighting system is set to save thousands and cut carbon usage by 85% at a high rise scheme in Harpurhey, Manchester. Kingsbridge Court, which is managed by Northwards Housing, now benefits from sensor controlled LED lights that this year alone are expected to save £2,725.43 in el…
My experience of staying in a Passivhaus
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 1 August 2013 at 10:31 am
Having lived in a series of draughty old houses over the years, I've always wondered what it would be like living in a Passivhaus. So when i discovered there was a Passivhaus bed and breakfast in Dartington, Devon where I was due to attend a conference, I booked in. The B&B is one of …
What will my electricity bills look like with a green deal plan?
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 30 July 2013 at 9:30 am
So, you’ve had your green deal assessment and you’ve chosen a green deal provider with whom you’ve agreed the terms of your loan. You know the cost of the work proposed and how much energy you are predicted to save over the course of your loan. And you’ve reassur…
Reader's tip of the month - July 2013
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 29 July 2013 at 9:29 am
Mark Boulton is just completing his self-build eco-house: a timber frame / hemcrete construction on a passive slab near Chipping Campden. The house has a 9.8kW solar PV system and solar thermal panels feeding into an 800 litre thermal store. It has a bespoke energy management system wit…
Green deal to be delivered street by street with DECC funding
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 26 July 2013 at 10:26 am
Plans by the government for energy efficiency experts to go street-by-street to encourage people to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat have met with suspicion on Twitter. Concerns expressed are mainly about conmen and pressure sales. But how likely is that in reality? The local c…
Mortgage lenders give tentative thumbs up to Green Deal homes
Posted by Tasha Kosviner on 25 July 2013 at 10:38 am
If you’re considering taking out a green deal loan on a house you’re planning to sell in the future, your prospective buyers will not find it harder to secure a mortgage. At least that’s the message the body which represents mortgage lenders is keen to get across. …
Estimated RHI payments on a solar thermal installation
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 23 July 2013 at 2:59 pm
Domestic hot water generated by solar thermal panels will be eligible for the renewable heat incentive (RHI) when it starts in spring next year. The tariff rate will be at least 19.2p/kWh of heat generated (although it may be a higher - we should find out in the autumn). The RHI payments will…
Why buyers should take care when investing in renewable heat
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 22 July 2013 at 9:41 am
Let me set my stall out: I'm a fan of renewable heat technologies if they are installed well in suitable buildings. I'm also delighted that details of the domestic renewable heat incentive scheme has finally been announced, and that the rates are higher than expected. But, and g…
7 questions to ask a heat pump installer before you buy
Posted by Graham Hazell on 19 July 2013 at 11:52 am
With the details of the domestic renewable heat incentive now published, and renewable heat premium payments still available to help with the upfront cost, now is a good time to install renewable heat. But make sure you choose a good installer. Here are seven questions to help you choose a he…
How to choose your biomass boiler installer
Posted by FairEnergy . on 18 July 2013 at 9:35 am
A biomass boiler is unlike any other type of boiler and there some very important considerations that your installer should understand and be able to explain to you. 1. Ask how long the company has been installing biomass boilers. 2. Find out how many installations the company has done an…
RHI stands for really happy industry
Posted by Jennifer Arran on 16 July 2013 at 8:20 am
The domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has finally been unveiled, and the industry couldn’t be happier. This is the end of the beginning – the RHI represents the first step on the path to meeting the UK 2050 carbon targets. The tariff rates and the inclusion of hybrid systems…
What the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive means for heat pumps
Posted by Chris Davis on 15 July 2013 at 11:06 am
After nearly 4 years of waiting, the Government has finally confirmed the details of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for domestic properties. Cathy has already summarised the key details in her blog. This is great news for home owners looking to install renewable heating systems…
Usability testers wanted for RHI accreditation system
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 12 July 2013 at 11:55 am
Ofgem has recently begun to build the IT system for accreditation on to the domestic renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme and hopes to start usability testing in the week commencing 22 July 2013. It aims to build a user-friendly system to ease the accreditation process for all, and needs help to…
Details of the domestic renewable heat incentive finally announced
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 12 July 2013 at 10:25 am
After several delays, the details of the renewable heat incentive, originally announced in July 2010 have finally been announced. Its aim is to encourage the uptake of renewable heat technologies to cut carbon, help meet the renewables targets and to save money on energy bills. Who can apply …
A company wants to install free cavity wall insulation in my block of flats: is it too good to be true?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 12 July 2013 at 9:35 am
Q: I have been contacted by a company that is intent on installing cavity wall insulation in the block of flats that I stay in and they claim it's free under the 'hard to treat homes'! This I find hard to believe. I would greatly appreciate any information regarding this as the compan…
Check you are eligible for RHI before installing renewable heat
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 11 July 2013 at 10:10 am
The renewable heat premium payments (RHPP) for biomass boilers and heat pumps are only available for properties that are off the mains gas network. Until the announcement on the full domestic renewable heat incentive (RHI) is made this summer we won't know if this will also be the case for th…
Do solar panels have to be turned off before cleaning?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 9 July 2013 at 10:40 am
A reader asked whether solar panels needed to be turned off for cleaning. The following answers to this question were crowd-sourced from Twitter: @YouGenUK Even if you switch off the DC isolator next to the inverter the modules are still live. Do it at night if you are worried! said Stua…
Use your Green Deal cashback to upgrade your appliances
Posted by Ross Lammas on 5 July 2013 at 11:17 am
DECC has gone the whole hog in trying to make the economic argument for the Green Deal by offering ‘early adopters’ cashback as a sweetner. The Green Deal is the Government’s flagship carbon emissions policy designed to encourage people to make their homes more energy effici…
How to read your Green Deal Advice Report: a case study
Posted by Linn Rafferty on 4 July 2013 at 2:39 pm
YouGen user OldBarn had a less than satisfactory experience with the Green Deal and told his story in a comment on Cathy's blog. His comments are in italics - my responses are in plain text: Our house has oil fired central heating and reasonable energy efficiency (but hard to treat c…
Electric vehicles can save businesses money
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 2 July 2013 at 9:09 am
The UK ranks 15th in Europe for uptake of electric vehicles, despite attractive financial benefits for companies, according to a recent report by the IPPR. France and Norway have bought the highest proportion of electric vehicles. The report reveals that businesses can save £3,755 over …
Demand side management uncovered
Posted by Paul Hutchens on 1 July 2013 at 9:18 am
Demand side management of energy is not a new concept. It’s been around since the energy crises of the 1970s and refers to the management of consumer demand for energy. You may know it is energy efficiency or simply reducing your use of energy. However, it has become more relevant than ever…
How to position your pole-mounted micro-wind turbine for best performance
Posted by Jason Hobbins on 28 June 2013 at 9:25 am
Location is everything, according to Phil and Kirsty. This is especially true of wind turbines, which if sited correctly will be an electricity-generating workhorse that will have earned its keep in less than 7 years. Variables including wind direction and wind energy levels means it&rs…
How do I make my home more energy efficient? Green Deal or independent assessment
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 27 June 2013 at 8:34 am
Our 1950s chalet bungalow home is cold and quite expensive to heat even though we have installed cavity wall and loft insulation, and it is double glazed. It would be warmer if we put the heating on longer, but it would also cost more to heat, and emit more carbon dioxide, and we're want to a…
Energy efficiency can add up to £25k to the value of your home
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 26 June 2013 at 9:15 am
Improving the energy efficiency of your home can increase its value by up to £25,000 depending on where you live. New research for DECC (the department of energy and climate change) found that increasing the energy performance certificate (EPC) of an average home in England from band G to E…
How to get started with the green deal: my experience
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 25 June 2013 at 11:37 am
The Green Deal is the government's scheme to encourage people to increase the energy efficiency of their homes, by taking away the barrier of upfront cost. While the government is keen to meet carbon emissions targets, the benefits for the rest of us are also warmer homes, and lower energy bi…
Review of Elios4you energy management system
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 24 June 2013 at 9:25 am
I'm often surprised about how much electricity my solar panels generate, even on a cloudy day. Despite it being June, I'm writing this wearing a thick fleece to keep warm, and looking out at around 90% cloud cover, yet my Elios4you device shows me that our 2kWp solar PV array has been ste…
Revolutionary solid wall insulation system wins Ashden Gold Award
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 21 June 2013 at 9:17 am
Internal solid wall insulation is generally accepted to be pretty disruptive, with residents often moving out for up to a fortnight while their home is insulated. Not any more. A new system developed in partnership by the Sustainable Energy Academy (SEA) and social housing contractor United …
What happens to excess solar power when the batteries are full?
Posted by Chris Rudge on 20 June 2013 at 9:25 am
Q: I want to find out how my solar panels deal with excess solar power when the batteries are fully charged. It is a 24 volt system: 4 x 165 watt panels into 2 kW inverter stand alone system. A: As an off grid, stand alone system, I assume your power usage is quite low if the bat…
Win a copy of Old House Eco Handbook (worth £30)
Posted by Gilly Jones on 19 June 2013 at 9:10 am
YouGen is giving away a copy of the brilliant Old House Eco Handbook worth £30. To thank you for Liking our Facebook page before the end July 2013, we will enter you in the draw to win. This guide, which is published in association with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Building…
What happens to the feed-in tariff if I switch energy suppliers?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 18 June 2013 at 2:56 pm
Q: I'd like to look for a different energy provider (my current one, nPower isn't paying its tax!). However, I don't want to lose my feed-in tariff (FIT) payments. Can I reapply for them with my new supplier and is it a complicated procedure? Or will my old supplier keep paying the FI…
How can I future-proof my heating and hot water?
Posted by Paul Hutchens on 17 June 2013 at 10:04 am
Q: I need to upgrade my heating and hot water system. I am on mains gas and will move to an unvented system. I have looked at heat pumps but the size and location of my property does not seem to make this a sensible choice at the moment. I even considered a thermodynamic solar pa…
Risks identified for buyers as two-tier market for heat pumps emerges
Posted by John Barker-Brown on 14 June 2013 at 10:04 am
With the uncertainty caused by another delay to the domestic renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme, we are seeing a two-tier market for heat pumps emerge, where some people are opting for the cheaper option of using products and installers who are not accredited under the microgeneration certific…
How important is the efficiency of solar panel?
Posted by Chris Jardine on 13 June 2013 at 10:05 am
A more efficient solar panel is a better one, right? Well arguably, but it doesn’t necessarily make it the most appropriate choice for use in any given situation. That's why I'm starting my series on what is the ‘best’ solar panel by looking at the sometimes c…
Is the UK low carbon heat industry ready to deliver? A case study of a customer who can't buy a heat pump
Posted by Jennifer Arran on 10 June 2013 at 9:16 am
Is the renewable heat industry ready to deliver? This critical question was raised by the most recent interviews in our on-going research program. The Microgen Insight Service carried out in-depth phone interviews with owner-occupiers on- and off-gas, including a a small number of …
What is the feed-in tariff rate with inflation rise?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 7 June 2013 at 10:09 am
Q: My PV installation is now 2.5 years old. The feed-in tariff (FIT) is supposed to rise with inflation each year but wherever I search on the web I can only seem to find the rates for new installations. I am registered with Scottish and Southern who no longer provide a breakdown of payments and …
Have pigeons been playing on your solar panels?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 6 June 2013 at 9:57 am
See more recent entry here: Pigeons under the panels - what can you do to protect your roof-mounted solar PV? "We had our solar panels installed in January last year and are very pleased with their efficiency," writes a YouGen reader. "However, something that no-one mentio…
What makes an energy efficient vaccum cleaner?
Posted by Ross Lammas on 3 June 2013 at 9:21 am
We typically spend one hour a week vacuuming according. Although rather dull, this fact makes it easy to work out how much it costs in electricity usage. You simply look for your vacuum cleaner's motor power, which is usually quoted in watts, then use Sust-it’s energy calculator t…
Reader's tip of the month - May 2013
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 31 May 2013 at 11:13 am
Retired, and living in a detached dorma bungalow built in the 1960s with almost no insulation, Tony Seaford and his wife were interested in reducing their domestic carbon footprint as much as they could without moving. "After double glazing and cavity wall insulation, we spent £800…
Which is the the best heat pump?
Posted by Graham Hazell on 30 May 2013 at 11:47 am
“Which is the best heat pump, in your view?” is the question I’m most frequently asked by callers to the Heat Pump Association's information desk. I usually turn the question back and ask them, in their view, which is the best car. Straight away they ask “what do you w…
Can I charge my tenants for solar generated electricity?
Posted by Chris Rudge on 28 May 2013 at 9:01 am
Q: I have a property which is a farmhouse with attached barn conversion. I live in the barn and I rent out the attached house to tenants. The two properties are on one electric supply and we have PV array on the barn roof with meters in both properties so we can monitor who uses how much electric…
How does underfloor heating work? Your questions answered
Posted by NicoleYouGen on 24 May 2013 at 9:52 am
What is underfloor heating? Underfloor heating can be either a system that pumps warm water through piping under the floor (a ‘wet’ system) or electric coils placed under the floor (a ‘dry’ system). Taking advantage of the basic principle that heat rises, warmth from u…
What happens to the FIT if your solar panels are destroyed in a fire?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 23 May 2013 at 9:48 am
Q: We fitted a 3.2kw solar panel system in August 2011 were on the higher levy (feed-in tariff rate). We had a house fire in March 2012 and rebuilt the house putting a complete new system on it. We notified British Gas, who we signed up with about the fire and they said notify them when we …
How free biomass boiler deals may lose businesses £23k a year
Posted by Amanda Hobbins on 21 May 2013 at 10:37 am
Companies offering free biomass boilers to replace your oil- or LPG-fired boiler take the Government’s Non-Domestic RHI tariff payments instead of up-front payment for the installation. This is fine if you really can’t afford to buy your biomass boiler yourself, and you’ll still…
DECC doubles upfront grants for renewable heat technologies
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 20 May 2013 at 3:32 pm
More help with the upfront cost of installing renewable heat is now available as the Department of Energy and Climate Change announces a doubling of the Renewable Heat Premium Payments. These money off vouchers have been increased to: £2,300 for ground source heat pumps £2,0…
Will solar PV power my underfloor heating?
Posted by Paul Hutchens on 20 May 2013 at 9:29 am
Q: We are having a 4kW solar pv system fitted. We are also considering electrical underfloor heating. After reading some very interesting pages on your site I am beginning to wonder if electrical underfloor heating is the best option as this will mainly run when it is dark? Is my thinking flawed …
How do I find the best performing heat pump?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 17 May 2013 at 9:35 am
Q: There is a great deal of information on the Internet as regards heat pumps but no information about recommended manufacturers of ground source heat pumps. Please can you help me. I would like someone to recommend which ground source heat pump ie Kensa, Nibe Danfoss performs best. A: Good q…
Old House Eco Handbook: a review
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 16 May 2013 at 11:15 am
Old houses can be green. This is the title of the first chapter of Old House Eco Handbook: a practical guide to retrofitting for energy-efficiency & sustainability by Marianne Suhr & Roger Hunt. It's an encouraging start, as not everyone believes it's possible, and as a result too…
Who deals with claims on an inverter warranty?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 14 May 2013 at 10:52 am
Q:I have a quote for the installation of solar panels. The quote says that the inverter is guaranteed for 10 years and that the guarantee is directly with the manufacturer; ie the installer does not wish to be involved in any guarantee claims. Is this normal? Is this contrary to the Sale of Goods…
How voltage affects solar PV
Posted by James Page on 13 May 2013 at 9:40 am
As most people will know mains voltage in the UK is - nominally - 230V (it was 240V until we compromised with the European 220V supply). But why does it change in both time and place even within mainland Britain? The answer to both stems from Ohm’s law. The voltage drop in t…
Feed-in tariff rates for solar PV to fall by 3.5% from 1 July 2013
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 9 May 2013 at 12:25 pm
Feed-in tariff rates for all solar PV installations under 50kWp will fall by 3.5% from 1 July, even though the levels of installation to trigger a fall has not been reached. Under the government's rules the three monthly degression can be skipped for two quarters if uptake is low, after…
Small energy companies reluctant to offer Green Deal finance
Posted by NicoleYouGen on 8 May 2013 at 9:12 am
If you are with a smaller energy supplier, you may have to switch companies in order to get Green Deal finance through your bill. Some smaller suppliers are signed up, but some are strongly against the Green Deal, while others are waiting to see how it goes before taking part. So which compan…
Heat pumps a no brainer says property developer
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 7 May 2013 at 9:41 am
A property developer in North Wales has been so impressed with the amount of energy that air source heat pumps have saved his properties over the past few years that he installed one in his own home in Colwyn Bay. "I first started using ground and air source heat pumps in my development…
Building Control regulations for solar installations in Northern Ireland
Posted by Andy Baird on 3 May 2013 at 9:15 am
Building Regulations is one of the most common things we’re asked about during initial enquiry and survey stage. This isn’t the sexiest of subjects when discussing solar PV, but it is important to understand the rules from the outset. In most cases, and without exception if solar is t…
