Saving Energy

Renewable energy – or at least alternative methods of heating and powering the home – is fast becoming the standard choice for the self-builder. Indeed, the Building Regulations, the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Merton Rule are increasingly making it a compulsory measure. But which technologies will be most effective in your home, and perhaps more importantly, what will they cost? On the following pages we try to provide answers to these questions, but remember that proper quotations, from reputable suppliers, will always be needed. (All the prices quoted are exclusive of VAT, which is generally 5%.)

No Payback

The payback – the time taken for fuel saving accruing from the use of renewable energy equipment to return the capital investment – has not been covered within this article for a number of reasons.

The way payback is calculated is a matter of some conjecture — should the predicted rise in fuel costs be taken into the equation, for instance. The price of heating oil has risen by more than 100% in the past four years, by 30% in the last year and who knows what will happen to it in the coming year. If those figures are included it has a dramatic impact on payback.

Payback calculations do not take account of lifestyle choice, the value equipment adds to the property, or the protection the system gives against rising fuel bills. It may be considered that renewable energy technology is as valid a lifestyle choice as spending £20,000 on an upmarket kitchen or £10,000 on a hot tub — so it is unfair that only renewable energy technology be judged by solely commercial criteria.

Grant Funding

The Government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme is still providing grant support for renewable energy. Sums available currently amount to:

Further information on renewable energies:

Click on the titles below for further information on each of these renewable energies and how to make energy saving changes in your home:

• Heat Pumps
• Solar Panels for Water
• Combined Heat and Power
• Biomass
• Generating Electricity
• Saving Energy - Ten Steps You Should Take