Rising Bills ? Global Warming ?
Lately we are bombarded with information about the effects of climate change on our environment; our TV, radio and newspapers seem to talk of nothing else !
We are threatened with ever rising fuel costs and the possibility that
we may run out of fossil fuels; that we'll have to give up our precious
holidays abroad, downgrade our prestigious cars and even be charged
for our carbon emissions !
So with all of this frightening information why doesn't anyone explain how we can realistically change things and what measures we can take to make a difference to reduce our carbon footprint and also our fuel bills
We already know about using energy efficient light bulbs, turning down the central heating by one or two degrees, installing cavity wall or loft insulation and taking showers instead of baths to name a few.
Well now you can ensure your energy is green by producing it yourself. Reduce your dependence on fossil fuels and also make substantial financial savings by installing a solar hot water heating system. You can achieve up to 70% of your hot water totally free of charge, and increase the value of your house
It is interesting to note that if only 50% of domestic households in the UK installed a solar hot water heating system then the government would immediately achieve the target set by the Kyoto Agreement to reduce carbon emissions.
The Benefits of Microgeneration
Renewable energy technologies have a double whammy benefit of greatly reducing your fuel bills, and reducing your carbon emmissions
Biomass (Wood Pellet, Log Burning, Wood Chip)
- Keeps your energy costs down: The price of wood fuel is comparable per kWh to natural gas, and cheaper than Oil, Coal, Electric or LPG. If you are off the gas network then it is the cheapest form of fuel
- A low carbon option: the carbon dioxide emitted when wood fuel is burned is the same amount that was absorbed over the previous months and years as the plant was growing. As long as new plants continue to grow in place of those used for fuel, the process is sustainable.
- Security of fuel supply: No worries about the Russians cutting off the gas, or oil shortages. Wood fuel really does grow on trees !
- A good use for waste: Pellets are made from the sawdust produced in sawmill timber conversion process, Wood chip is made from forestry waste - waste that might otherwise be sent to a landfill site.
- The RHI pays you back more than the fuel costs !
Solar Water Heating
- Cuts your bills: sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your hot water costs will be reduced.
- Works all year round to supply up to 70% of your hot water provided free of charge
- Reduces your impact on the environment - the average domestic system reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to one tonne per year depending on the fuel replaced
- Well developed technology provides a large choice of equipment to suit many applications
- Average lifespan of Solar Hot Water System - up to 35 years
- Increases the value of your property
- The RHI pays you for producing this free energy !
Solar Electricity (PV)
- Cut your electricity bills: sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be greatly reduced.
- Works all year round - a typical home PV system can produce around 40% of the electricity a household uses in a year.
- Cut your carbon footprint: solar electricity is green, renewables energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants. A typical home PV system could save around 1200 kg of carbon dioxide per year
- Sell electricity back to the Grid: if your system is producing more electricity than you need, or when you can't use it, someone else can use it - and you could make a bit of money.
- Store electricity for a cloudy day: if your home isn't connected to the national grid you can store excess electricity in batteries to use when you need it.
- Average lifespan of Solar Electricity Panels - up to 30 years
- Increases the value of your property
- The FIT pays you for producing this free energy !
Heat Pumps
- Reduce your fuel bills: heat pumps run on electricity, so there's no need to pay for gas, oil or solid fuels to heat your home.
- Cut down on wasted electricity: heating your home with a heat pump is much more efficient than using electric radiators.
- Reduce your CO2 emissions: on average a ground source heat pump could save around 540kg of carbon dioxide every year when replacing an oil boiler.
- Save space: Heat pump systems are installed with the appliance outside your house, and they require no storage space for fuel
- The RHI pays you more per kWh of energy generated than the electricity it costs to produce it !
Wind Turbines
- Cut your electricity bills: wind is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be reduced.
- Harness a plentiful energy source: in the UK we have 40% of Europe's total wind energy.
- Cut your carbon footprint: wind electricity is green, renewable energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants.
- Sell electricity back to the Grid: if your system is producing more electricity than you need, or when you can't use it, someone else can use it - and you could make a bit of money.
- Store electricity for a calm day: if your home isn't connected to the national grid you can store excess electricity in batteries to use when you need it.
- The FIT pays you for producing this free energy !