Find a Renewable Energy Specialist you can trust in Malpas.

If you’re interested in getting a new air source heat pump, then you’d probably want to know if they’re really advantageous, cost effective and efficient. The fact is, there are a plethora of benefits that comes with using heat pumps which is a renewable alternative to warm up your home in the UK.

An air source heat pump can help you save money on energy bills while also minimizing your carbon footprint as compared to a gas or electric heating system. Another important benefit that comes with air source heat pump is the fact that they’re quire versatile and yet affordable. Generally, they can function either for heating or cooling purposes and they can also be incorporated for either heating of space or water. In fact, in order to achieve the target Net Zero by 2050, the UK government are looking to fit 19 million heat pumps in new builds. With significant rise in the deployment of heat pumps, the grants by the UK government enables this renewable energy source to become a lot more affordable to run while also helping to minimize the burden of the air source heat pump cost.

As perfect as it seems, this renewable source of energy also comes with a number of disadvantage which we’re going to list out. Let’s take a look!

• There must be sufficient space outside the house to accommodate the external condenser unit.
• The condenser unit can make a lot of noise and even blow colder air into their immediate area.
• Since they consume electricity to operate, this also means they’re not zero carbon unless the electricity is produced from a renewable source like solar panels etc.

Like every other systems in your home, solar hot water systems will require periodic inspections as well as a regular maintenance in order to keep it running as efficiently as it should. Not only that, the various components will also require either repair or replacement from time to time. It’ll also be proactive to take the necessary precautions so as to prevent worrying issues like corrosion, scaling or freezing.

Is it a task you can handle on your own? Well, there are some inspections and maintenance activities you should be able to handle on your own, however, you’ll also require a qualified technician to carry out the more technical or complicated tasks. You should also take note that it may actually be more cost effective to have some systems replaced, shut off or removed completely than having it repaired. Here are some of the essential inspections that should be carried out on solar system components. They include:

✓ Collector soiling. Periodic cleaning of your collectors is important especially in dry and dusty climates.

✓ Plumbing, ductwork and wire connections. Check the pipe connections for fluid leaks. Examine duct connections and seals. Also make sure that all wire connections are tight.

✓ Roof penetrations. Flashing and sealant around the roof penetration should be checked to see that it’s in a good shape.

✓ Collector shading. Check for shading of the collectors on annual basis as this may greatly affect their performance.

✓ Support structures. Examine all bolts and nuts which connects the support structures to the collectors for tightness.

✓ Heat transfer fluids. Anti freeze solutions in liquid solar heating collectors will have to be replaced periodically. And this right here is a task that’s best handled by a licensed technician.

Biomass boilers will work with existing central heating systems, presuming this is not decades old, whether they use radiators or under floor heating. A surveyor will check the existing system you have in place before quoting for or recommending a biomass boiler to you.

In a similar way to other major home improvement projects, some specific requirements must be met to allow for the installation of solar panels. The main reason why these standards and regulations were established is to minimize the risk of the solar system becoming an issue or potential hazard in the unforeseeable future. So if you’re thinking about buying and fitting new solar panels, you’ll probably want to know whether or not you’ll require to submit a planning permission application for approval before you can proceed.

Generally, solar panels are covered under what’s called “Permitted Development” which gives you the freedom to install your solar panels without having to apply for a planning permission. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. These exceptions include if your house is a listed building or if your house is located within a conservation area. In these exceptional cases, it’s possible that you’ll need to apply for a planning permission, but this will largely depend on the discretion of your Local Planning Authority. What’s more? Solar panels are usually subjected to normal building regulations which includes examining the roof to make sure that it can support the additional weight. You can call in a MCS certified installer to carry out this check for you.

In order to install your solar PV on your roof, you must follow these guidelines:

✓ Your solar panels shouldn’t go beyond the highest point of the roof (excluding chimneys).

✓ The solar panels shouldn’t project beyond 200mm off the roof’s edge.

✓ The solar panels should be removed once they’re no longer used to produce electricity

✓ The solar panels should be installed such that the area and building’s appearance change is minimized.

No, air source heat pumps aren’t particularly noisy. Most models make about the same amount of noise as a boiler or fridge. And don't forget, the unit itself is fitted to the outside of your property so you won't hear a thing when you're indoors or at nightime!

If you’re planning to install an air source heat pump in your home or property, one of the first questions you’d probably want to ask is, how long does it last? In this post, we aim to provide an answer to this question and more. Let’s take a look!

Generally, heat pumps are considered to be very durable and long lasting. In the previous years, their average life expectancy was at 15 years, however with the advancement in modern technology, the newest units are able to last for about 20 to 25 years before they become due for replacement. The longevity and durability of air source heat pumps is as a result of their design as you won’t find many things that can go wrong and even more so with their latest models. As you would have expected, their lifespan normally varies with the manufacturer as well as model. However, while having them regularly maintained can help to extend their life expectancy and efficiency, they’re not considered to be a necessity.

When compared to other types of heating sources, heat pump comes out on top when it comes to longevity. The significance of this is immense due to the fact that the nature of the RHI scheme is to recoup sufficient funds so that after 7 years, the system will ultimately have costed nothing beyond that of a new boiler depending on the performance. Other heating sources such as oil, gas and electric boilers will only have to work for about 10 to 12 years before their parts will need to be replaced and times the manufacturer may have well stopped producing such parts.

If you’re looking to install a solar thermal system in your home, this is usually one of the first concerns several homeowners have. Being fully aware that solar water heating systems are usually more expensive than their counterparts - the conventional water heating systems, the question arises whether or not you’ll be able to save some money from your solar water heating system in the long run. In this article, we aim provide an answer to this important question. Let’s take a closer look!

When it comes to solar thermal systems, the money you’ll be able to save in the long run depends on a wide range of factors. These factor includes:

✓ Your system’s performance.

✓ Your geographical location and solar resource

✓ Your household’s hot water demand

✓ Financing and incentive options that are available.

✓ The cost of fuel that’s being used for your alternative or backup water heating system, if you own one.

✓ The cost of conventional fuels such as oil, electricity or natural gas.

There are several benefits, however, that comes with the installation of a solar water heating system. Since the sun is absolutely free, future fuel shortages and price hikes will have little impact on you. Also, on the average if you decide to fit a solar thermal system your water heating bills is expected to drop about 50 percent to 80 percent. What’s more? The economics are even a lot more attractive when you’re just about to build a new home or refinancing. When you include the price of a solar water system in a 30 year mortgage, it’ll normally amount to very low price per month. Therefore, on a monthly basis you’ll be saving more and paying less.

There are two different types: flat plate, where lots of thin tubes carry water through a flat absorber panel, and evacuated tube, where vacuum glass tubes capture the sun’s energy directly. There is little difference in performance between the two but evacuated tube panels do more obviously extrude from the roof.