Where do you start?
If you’re thinking about a home renewables system, here are some important things to think about:
Ensure your home is as energy efficient as it can be
This will help you get the most out of your new system. Think about insulating your property wherever you can, and using your appliances, lighting and water more efficiently.
Find out the options for renewable technology in your home
Some technologies have specific requirements for installation:
- Solar PV and solar thermal depends on the way your roof faces.
- Solar thermal, heat pumps and biomass require space inside and outside.
- Hydro requires a nearby stream or river.
Be clear on what you want to achieve with your renewable technology
This will influence which technology is most appropriate for you. Many people want to save money and reduce their emissions, and it is becoming more possible to achieve both. Other factors can have an impact, for example:
- If you need to replace your boiler or central heating system, installing a new biomass boiler or heat pump becomes more cost-effective.
- If your priority is to save carbon dioxide, consider wood-fuelled heating, a large wind turbine or a large solar PV system.
- If you want to do a bit for the environment but have limited funds, think about a cheaper option such as solar water heating.
- If you live in an isolated rural property with no mains electricity, you may get the most reliable off-grid supply from hydro or from a mixture of wind and solar PV.
Narrow down the options
Once you’ve thought about which technology would best suit your home and your needs, we can advise on the options in more detail. Weigh up the products that are available, their costs, the size of systems and any special requirements for installation.
