On this page, we outline ways you can reduce your domestic energy use, switch to green energy providers and generate your own renewable energy.
Impacts of domestic energy use
According to the UK Committee on Climate Change, around 40% of UK carbon emissions come from households. The majority of household emissions come from heating and electricity use. There are three main things you can do cut your domestic carbon footprint. Two of these – reducing household energy use and switching to a green energy provider – are either zero-cost or low-cost. The third – generating your own renewable energy – is a longer-term investment.
Reducing household energy use
With the current energy crisis, it makes a lot of sense to reduce your domestic energy use – it lowers your carbon emissions and saves you money. Whether you’re a homeowner, a private or social renter, a student, or you live with your parents, there are many practical things you can do.
The Energy Saving Trust offers clear and easy-to-follow guidance that could save the average household up to £375 per year in energy bills – some of their Quick Tips cost absolutely nothing:
Hastings-based organisation Energise Sussex Coast have some excellent energy-saving advice on their website – including a fantastic set of resources on making older homes more energy efficient. This includes downloadable leaflets on everything from draught-proofing to roof insulation. They can also provide support if you are eligible to apply for government grant funding and Warm Home Discount.
The Energy Saving Trust offers clear and easy-to-follow guidance that could save the average household up to £375 per year in energy bills – some of their Quick Tips cost absolutely nothing:
- Switch off standby on electrical items.
- Turn off lights and replace lights with LED bulbs.
- Draught-proof windows, doors, keyholes and chimneys.
- Use your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle.
- Avoid the tumble drier.
- Swap your bath for a shower.
- Fit a water-efficient shower head.
- Keep your shower time to under 4 minutes.
- Be savvy in the kitchen and avoid overfilling your kettle.
- Fill your dishwasher.
- Top up the insulation in your loft and on your water tank, pipes and radiators.
- Install a smart meter to help you monitor your energy use.
Hastings-based organisation Energise Sussex Coast have some excellent energy-saving advice on their website – including a fantastic set of resources on making older homes more energy efficient. This includes downloadable leaflets on everything from draught-proofing to roof insulation. They can also provide support if you are eligible to apply for government grant funding and Warm Home Discount.
Smart meters help you monitor energy use (Source: Which).
Draught-proofing windows and doors saves energy (Source: Which).
|
High-standard loft insulation reduces energy bills (Source: Which).
Water-saving shower heads save water and energy (Source: Which).
|
Switching to a green energy provider
As well as reducing your domestic energy use, you may wish to consider switching energy supply to a green tariff. This is a great way to invest in renewable energy sources – and could also save you money on bills. A green tariff means that some or all of the electricity you buy is ‘matched’ by purchases of renewable energy that your energy supplier makes on your behalf. These could come from a variety of renewable energy sources such as wind farms and hydroelectric power stations. Some green supply tariffs are also nuclear-free.
Choosing a green tariff shows the demand for renewable energy use is there. It sends a message to your supplier and the wider industry that you wish to avoid electricity generated from fossil fuels and support renewable energy generation. In 2019, the UK generated more power from renewables than from fossil fuels for the first time since the Industrial Revolution – let’s see this growing.
If you’re looking to switch to a green energy supplier, there are many energy comparison websites available. We recommend using the Citizen Advice Bureau’s Comparison Tool to find the best energy deal. It is worth noting that some fixed tariffs have an exit fee – but you are still free to leave at any time. If your energy supply is on a standard variable tariff, there are usually no exit fees.
Choosing a green tariff shows the demand for renewable energy use is there. It sends a message to your supplier and the wider industry that you wish to avoid electricity generated from fossil fuels and support renewable energy generation. In 2019, the UK generated more power from renewables than from fossil fuels for the first time since the Industrial Revolution – let’s see this growing.
If you’re looking to switch to a green energy supplier, there are many energy comparison websites available. We recommend using the Citizen Advice Bureau’s Comparison Tool to find the best energy deal. It is worth noting that some fixed tariffs have an exit fee – but you are still free to leave at any time. If your energy supply is on a standard variable tariff, there are usually no exit fees.
Generating your own renewable energy
When we think of renewable energy, we tend to imagine towering wind turbines or rows of solar panels. However, it is possible to generate your own energy from renewables at home. Many systems can be installed VAT-free, and many attract specific government financial support. It is important to think realistically about what is appropriate for your home, as renewable energy technologies aren't well suited for every household.
Solar panels
Solar panels are the most common renewable source of energy – you will have seen them on many rooftops in Chiddingly. There is a good example on our blog page. They don’t need direct sunlight to work but are most efficient on a site or a roof that faces southwards and isn’t shaded. Solar energy is 100% green and doesn’t release any carbon dioxide. A domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) system could save you between 1.3 and 1.6 tonnes of carbon per year. Solar energy can also save you money in the long-term.
Note that the Feed-In Tariff scheme, whereby you receive money for feeding solar energy back into the grid, is currently closed but those who already have panels installed can still benefit. New solar PV systems may instead be eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) if they export energy to the grid.
Solar panels
Solar panels are the most common renewable source of energy – you will have seen them on many rooftops in Chiddingly. There is a good example on our blog page. They don’t need direct sunlight to work but are most efficient on a site or a roof that faces southwards and isn’t shaded. Solar energy is 100% green and doesn’t release any carbon dioxide. A domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) system could save you between 1.3 and 1.6 tonnes of carbon per year. Solar energy can also save you money in the long-term.
Note that the Feed-In Tariff scheme, whereby you receive money for feeding solar energy back into the grid, is currently closed but those who already have panels installed can still benefit. New solar PV systems may instead be eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) if they export energy to the grid.
|
Solar panels on a roof in Chiddingly village (Image: © Trevor Thomas).
|
A typical domestic solar PV system, with 30 square metres of panels that should be suitable for most houses and bungalows, typically costs between £5,000 and £8,000. A typical domestic solar hot water system, with 4 square metres of panels, could set you back between £3,000 and £5,000. If you are thinking of installing solar, the Greenmatch website includes a helpful link where you can get direct quotes from local suppliers by filling in a single form.
To determine what size of system you need, you should first think about how much energy you use in your home, and how much of it you want to generate with renewables. Check out the Energy Saving Trust website for more advice.
The installation of solar panels on residential buildings and land may be considered as 'permitted development' with no need to apply for planning permission. There are, however, important limits and conditions. Check out the Wealden District Council Planning Advice pages for guidance on whether you are likely to need planning permission to install solar panels or any other renewable energy infrastructure.
To determine what size of system you need, you should first think about how much energy you use in your home, and how much of it you want to generate with renewables. Check out the Energy Saving Trust website for more advice.
The installation of solar panels on residential buildings and land may be considered as 'permitted development' with no need to apply for planning permission. There are, however, important limits and conditions. Check out the Wealden District Council Planning Advice pages for guidance on whether you are likely to need planning permission to install solar panels or any other renewable energy infrastructure.
Heat pumps
Heat pumps are devices that capture heat from outside and move it into your home. They use electricity to do this. However, the quantity of heat delivered is greater than the quantity of electricity used to power the system. As a heat pump captures heat that is already present in the environment, the system itself does not burn any fuel and therefore emits no carbon dioxide. Installing a heat pump may also reduce your energy bill, depending on the system you are replacing.
There is a wide range of heat pumps available. You will have heard of air source and ground source heat pumps, that draw thermal energy from the air and ground respectively. However, air-to-air, exhaust air, water source, solar-assisted, hybrid and cascaded heat pumps are also available. The Energy Saving Trust have put together a series of guides to the different sorts of heat pump in a single handy website, so have a read to see what type is right for your home. They also have a series of helpful case study pages where homeowners talk through their experiences of installing and running heat pumps. The Renewable Energy Hub UK has a short guide to the pros and cons of heat pumps. If you decide on an air source heat pump, the Greenmatch website has a page dedicated to these systems.
Heat pumps are devices that capture heat from outside and move it into your home. They use electricity to do this. However, the quantity of heat delivered is greater than the quantity of electricity used to power the system. As a heat pump captures heat that is already present in the environment, the system itself does not burn any fuel and therefore emits no carbon dioxide. Installing a heat pump may also reduce your energy bill, depending on the system you are replacing.
There is a wide range of heat pumps available. You will have heard of air source and ground source heat pumps, that draw thermal energy from the air and ground respectively. However, air-to-air, exhaust air, water source, solar-assisted, hybrid and cascaded heat pumps are also available. The Energy Saving Trust have put together a series of guides to the different sorts of heat pump in a single handy website, so have a read to see what type is right for your home. They also have a series of helpful case study pages where homeowners talk through their experiences of installing and running heat pumps. The Renewable Energy Hub UK has a short guide to the pros and cons of heat pumps. If you decide on an air source heat pump, the Greenmatch website has a page dedicated to these systems.
|
Example of a double-fan air source heat pump (Source: Green Square).
|
|
Configuration of a ground source heat pump (Source: Climatebiz).
|
There has never been a better time to install a heat pump. The government currently offers financial incentives to homeowners who install heat pumps under the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme. If you need to replace your boiler or want to shift away from oil-fired central heating, this may be the approach for you. Check to see if you are eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme via the government website. To estimate costs for installation, have a look at the Greenmatch website.
Biomass
The Energy Saving Trust have a useful webpage describing the benefits of using biomass as an energy source. Biomass is a renewable energy source, generated from burning wood, plants and other organic matter, such as manure or household waste. It releases carbon dioxide when burned, but considerably less than fossil fuels, so is considered a lower carbon option.
Biomass heating systems burn wood pellets, chips or logs to provide warmth in a single room or to power central heating and hot water boilers. A stove burns logs or pellets to heat a single room – and may be fitted with a back boiler to provide water heating as well. A boiler burns logs, pellets or chips, and is connected to a central heating and hot water system. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a wood-fuelled biomass boiler could save you up to £1,100 a year compared to an old electric heating system.
If you are thinking of installing a biomass stove or boiler, there are a few things you might want to consider before selecting. These include the impact of burning wood on domestic air quality, potentially contributing to serious health problems. Emissions from log stoves can be limited choosing a registered installer, sweeping the flue regularly and using dry wood only.
The Energy Saving Trust have a useful webpage describing the benefits of using biomass as an energy source. Biomass is a renewable energy source, generated from burning wood, plants and other organic matter, such as manure or household waste. It releases carbon dioxide when burned, but considerably less than fossil fuels, so is considered a lower carbon option.
Biomass heating systems burn wood pellets, chips or logs to provide warmth in a single room or to power central heating and hot water boilers. A stove burns logs or pellets to heat a single room – and may be fitted with a back boiler to provide water heating as well. A boiler burns logs, pellets or chips, and is connected to a central heating and hot water system. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a wood-fuelled biomass boiler could save you up to £1,100 a year compared to an old electric heating system.
If you are thinking of installing a biomass stove or boiler, there are a few things you might want to consider before selecting. These include the impact of burning wood on domestic air quality, potentially contributing to serious health problems. Emissions from log stoves can be limited choosing a registered installer, sweeping the flue regularly and using dry wood only.
|
|
Examples of log-fired (left) and pellet-fired (right) biomass boilers (Source: Green Square).
|
Wind turbines
Domestic wind power probably isn’t suitable if you live in the middle of Chiddingly, but if your house is in an exposed or isolated spot, a building-mounted system producing around 1-2 kW could be an option. Wind power will cut your carbon footprint, with a typical domestic wind turbine potentially saving you around 3.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. It can also reduce your energy bills, after you’ve paid for the initial installation. The costs will depend on the size on the size of the turbine, its location and the mounting system, but are typically higher than solar or most heat pumps.
Domestic wind power probably isn’t suitable if you live in the middle of Chiddingly, but if your house is in an exposed or isolated spot, a building-mounted system producing around 1-2 kW could be an option. Wind power will cut your carbon footprint, with a typical domestic wind turbine potentially saving you around 3.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. It can also reduce your energy bills, after you’ve paid for the initial installation. The costs will depend on the size on the size of the turbine, its location and the mounting system, but are typically higher than solar or most heat pumps.
|
Example of a domestic wind-turbine (Source: Treehugger).
|
New domestic wind turbines are also eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) if they export energy to the grid. The Green Age website provides useful information about planning permission for wind turbines. You should also check out the Wealden District Council Planning Advice pages for guidance on planning consent.