Being Energy Efficient Can Save You Money

1.Go Solar

It might take a long time to get back the initial costs of a solar system, (around ten years depending on the cost of installation and panels,) but once reached, you can make savings of around £645. This is based on a solar system of 3.5 to 4kWp and a generation tariff of 15.44p/kWh. Going solar means that you could be able to earn from any excess energy you create.

It’s also easy to maintain. Apart from making sure there are no trees blocking the sunlight to the panels, very little is needed to reap the benefit once the installation is done.

2.Biomass Heating

You could save up to £580 per year if you are replacing an electric heating system with a pellet boiler. Biomass is friendly for the environment because it only releases the same amount of carbon dioxide as the wood naturally contains and it's renewable.

The maintenance of a biomass heating system is more than with a solar system as you may have to empty ash periodically and unless you have an outhouse or somewhere to store pellets or wood, storage can be difficult. You also have to have a yearly maintenance check, and roughly, twice a year, your flue pipe and chimney must be swept.

Knowing that, you have greater control over your energy usage and bills, as heating won’t have to be got from an external energy supplier and wood can be brought when cheaper and kept for a long period of time to season or dry out. If you are fed up of money hungry energy companies, it’s a good step to make.

As with any energy saving system, insulation and double glazing can be used alongside it as it keeps the heat in and means you have to use less energy to heat your home. Loft insulation is a simple and cost effective step, but you can also use thermal blinds or curtains. If you don’t have much money, draught excluders are a quick solution and turning your washing machine down to thirty is a good way to save money on your energy bills.

If energy saving is for you, why not have a look around on the web to see what would suit you, your family and house in more detail.