Being environmentally minded, and about to undertake some home improvements, the Seniors decided to explore the possibilities for integrating renewable energy into their home. Being a family of four, with two young children, they wanted to reduce their reliance on external utilities. With gas and electricity prices continuing to rise they wanted to reduce these costs, and importantly to reduce their contribution to carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

Our first involvement was to sit down with the Seniors and look to see what was possible to be achieved at their property, and to see what grants and loans were available. The first part was easy, they have a large south facing roof, which they were about to have maintained. We measured that the roof had the space to hold both a solar PV (Photovoltaic) array, to generate electricity, and space for two solar thermal panels, to provide a sizeable amount of the family’s hot water requirement. As their loft insulation was also in poor condition (older and non-natural insulation degrades), we discussed the benefits or re-insulating with Thermafleece natural wool insulation. Thermafleece is not only a more natural and longer lasting material; it also has better thermal and acoustic qualities than traditional insulation.

The next stage was to review the grants and loans available to support them make this positive step for the environment. As MCS accredited installers Eco Environments can access the full range of government grants. We were able to assist the Seniors to get a £2,500 grant towards the installation through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme- Phase 1. We were also able to connect them to a local charitable trust that offered a £1,000 interest free loan towards the cost of the solar thermal system.

We also discussed with the Seniors the best energy supply company to sell back their surplus electricity to. When a solar PV system is generating more than the house is using, for example weekdays when the house is empty, the summer months, holidays etc, our grid connect systems automatically export the surplus to your electricity supply company, for which you get paid. When you are using more than you are generating you import the additional requirement. This is all done automatically, and a special export meter shows what you have imported and what you have exported.

We then set about designing the system, and providing the Seniors with a menu of options and costs. Once they had decided on the systems that best suited their needs and budget the project was underway.

The solar PV array will generate over the course of a year in excess of 2,400kwh of electricity, this should provide up to two thirds of the household electricity needs.

The solar thermal panels are connected to a 300 litre cylinder, they will provide a majority of their hot water needs for a large part of the year, and provide a good level of water for the remainder of the year when their boiler will make up the rest of the hot water required. This is an automatic system, the boiler will only run when additional hot water is required, and this is done automatically.

The seniors are now very happy to be generating their own electricity and hot water, reducing their energy bills significantly and of course their carbon footprint. Mark Senior commented, “It is great to have come from a conversation with friends about making our contribution to the environment, to producing our own ‘green’ energy.” He added, “The grant process was far easier than we expected, and Eco Environments talked us through each stage, and helped us get the best price for the electricity we will export. Overall their support and advice has been excellent, and we are delighted with the installation.”