Tag: renewable energy

The financial benefits of using solar power for your home

The financial benefits of using solar power for your homecredit

Did you know that more than two million homes in the United States have photovoltaic panels fitted to them?

Solar panel use has steadily been on the rise in the past few years as more and more homes adopt renewable energy.

We all know about the environmental benefits of getting solar panels fitted. However, did you know that there are also financial benefits to going green?

This post will look at how you can save money and find financial stability through sustainable living.

Photovoltaic roof panels

Solar panels save you money on your electricity bill

By getting solar panels fitted, you’ll drastically reduce your electricity bill. You may even remove it completely.

So often, electricity bills rank as one of the highest outgoings that a home has after the mortgage or rent.

To be able to completely remove this expense from your life could make a huge difference to the amount of spare cash you’ll have left each month.

Solar panels on a roof

There are tax benefits

Going solar doesn’t just benefit you; it benefits the whole world. Governments are under pressure to go green too, and as a result, solar energy has become important to both the state and federal governments.

As a result, governments often give tax breaks to home-owners who have photovoltaic panels installed in their own homes.

By the time you take into account all of the various rebates you may be entitled to, this figure may even rise to be half of the equipment and installation cost.

Photovoltaic panels installed on a roof

You’ll get credit for any overstock energy you produce

In addition to all of the tax rebates that you may be entitled to, you’ll also be able to benefit from Solar Renewable Energy Credits. You’ll get these from selling any surplus energy you produce that you don’t use.

You can sell your electricity to a company that trades in the energy market. This can amount to being quite a large sum, which will help you offset your installation’s initial costs.

Credits and incentives such as these can be found in almost every area.

Solar roof panels

You’ll add value to your home

If you’re planning on selling your home any time soon, having solar panels installed on your roof may be very appealing to potential buyers. Not only may it attract more buyers, but it will also increase the value of your home.

By searching for solar companies near me, you could get solar panels installed on your home very soon.

As discussed above, there are plenty of great financial benefits to using solar energy in your home. From tax breaks and rebates through to earning credits on your spare electricity. Not only this, you’ll also save money as you won’t have the outlay of electricity bills any longer.

So, what are you waiting for? Isn’t it time you got solar installed? For more helpful articles on a range of topics, check out the rest of the site.

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Is an air source heat pump a good option for your home heating?

'Is an air source heat pump a good option for your home heating?' blog post banner

Air source heat pump diagramcredit

An air source heat pump (ASHP) works by absorbing heat from the air outside your home. This heat can then be used to heat water, radiators, under-floor heating systems or warm air convectors.

The pump works in the same way as a fridge removes heat from the air inside it and it can extract heat at temperatures as low as minus 15ºC! These pumps do use electricity, so they do have a carbon footprint, but the heat they collect is being constantly renewed.

air source heat pump installed on outdoor deckingcredit

The upsides of air source heat pumps

• Lower fuel bills, particularly if you are replacing electric heating

• You can earn some income though the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

• Smaller carbon footprint

• No fuel deliveries and storage

• Low maintenance

• You can heat your water, or your home, or both

Heat pumps work at lower temperatures over longer periods of time, so you’ll need to keep them on all the time over winter. Your radiators won’t feel hot, like they do with a gas boiler.

How do these pumps work?

Heat from the air is absorbed into a fluid, which is then compressed, raising its temperature. This increased heat is transferred to the house’s hot water or heating circuits.

Semi-detached house heated by an air source heat pumpcredit

I’m interested, but is an ASHP for me?

Ask yourself:

Is there space for it? It needs to be placed outside your house with plenty of clearance for air to circulate around it. A sunny wall is the best place.

Are you well-insulated? ASHPs work best when producing less heat than traditional boilers, so any heat you get needs to be retained.

What’s your current fuel? If it’s gas central heating, your ASHP won’t pay for itself as quickly as if you’re replacing coal central heating or electrical heating.

What heating system will you use? ASHPs work best with under-floor heating systems and warm air systems rather than radiators because of the lower temperatures.

Are you buying a new build or having extensive work done? If so, the pump and new system can be installed alongside the other work, saving money.

House heated by an air source heat pumpcredit

What does it cost to install?

ASHPs cost between £7,000 and £11,000, while running costs vary with house size, how warm you want to be and how well-insulated your home is.

How much will I save?

This depends on what you’re replacing and what you’re replacing it with.

If possible, under-floor heating is better than radiators as it needs lower temperatures. If you can’t do this, then large radiators work well.

You’ll pay for the electricity used to run the pump, but you won’t pay for fuel any longer.

If your old heating system is inefficient, then a new pump will make a difference.

If you’re heating water too, then your heating system will be less efficient and you may need a solar water heating system.

This annual savings table is for a four-bedroomed detached house in England, Scotland or Wales with an average-sized air source heat pump.

•Gas older (non-condensing) – £295-£425

• Electric (old storage heaters) – £715-£1,295

• Oil older (non-condensing) – £360-£555

• LPG older (non-condensing) – £1,200-£1,805

• Coal – £525-£875

You could receive £905-£1,365 in payments from the Renewable Heat Initiative.

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