If you’re thinking about getting renewable energy in your home, then careful planning and consideration is the key to getting it right. Ensuring you have covered everything from choosing a creditable installer to getting the appropriate funding should help get you up and running with your renewable energy source in next to no time.
Firstly, you will need to establish what is going to be involved in getting this renewable energy source installed in your property. This will depend entirely upon whether this is a new build, or within an existing property, what type of renewable energy source it is and where the property is located. It is essential that you do your research here and seek professional advice before going ahead.
Things such as your insulation can play a key factor in this as it is always recommended to have the maximum insulation in your home before going ahead with installing a renewable energy source. By ensuring your house is as energy-efficient as it can be, this will allow for you to save more money from your renewable source, as well as hopefully getting some money back for the electricity generated.
Equally, you will need to look into what offers and loans may be available as an incentive for you to have this installed in your home. Have a good look around to see which, if any, are worthwhile and speak to several providers to see what kind of offers/tariffs may be available once you have it working.
How to choose the right renewable energy source.
If you’re keen to get your home powered by a renewable energy source but aren’t sure which one, then you will need to do your homework as to which is going to be the most beneficial for your home and location. For example, solar panels may seem the like the most affordable option, but all of those tall trees around your home may make this a less effective option. Alternatively, opting for wood-fuelled heating systems are all well and good, but with nowhere to store your wood/chippings this will turn into a less efficient option cost wise.
Making your home as energy-efficient as possible.
As previously mentioned, energy efficiency in the home doesn’t just rely upon these renewable sources but on how energy-efficient your home is on the whole. So, ensure maximum insulation is installed in your loft and that your wall insulation is up to a good standard. Your doors and windows will also need checking to ensure that they aren’t going to be letting in too much cold air and too much heat out.
Getting planning permission & building warrants.
Again, these will depend entirely upon what type of property you live in and what source of renewable energy you are looking to install. Some may require you to get permission from your local planning authority, so always check before going ahead with the installation. This is also the case if you are building something to do with your renewable energy source.
If you live in Scotland, the Scottish Government has taken steps to making it easier for you to have some renewable energy sources installed in your home. You will also need to check whether the type of renewable you are installing is covered by these changed planning legislation’s.
Getting funding for your renewable energy.
There are several different loan schemes available when it comes to installing renewable energy sources into your new home, including:
- Home Insulation Scheme – this is covered in Scotland whereby areas that are including within scheme may be entitled to receive a loan for their renewable energy source.
- Home Renewables Loan Scheme – this type of scheme allows you to borrow money which contributes towards the installation fees of renewable heat and electricity sources. The maximum loan currently available is £10,000.
Installing your renewable energy source.
Even though you could potentially install the system on your own, it is a good idea to seek professional advice and an expert installer as they will know which system will suit your home as well as the best way to set it up.
Equally, if you are looking to have a Feed-in Tariff the system will need to be installed by a certified installer that has a Microgeneration Certification. Always do your homework when choosing an installer; have a look around and ask anyone you know who has/knows someone who has a renewable energy source for their recommendations.
When it comes to finding the products that you need to get your renewable energy source up and running always note that you will need to have certified renewable systems in order to qualify for the Feed-in Tariffs scheme. Your installer should be able to point you in the right direction when choosing this; otherwise with some research you should be able to find these certified products with ease.
