Solar PV
By having a solar system installed typically on the roof of your property you generate your own power freely from the sun. This means you could reduce your consumption of electricity from your energy company dramatically. The solar system can work very well with ASHP’s and Infrared heating systems, this combination properly optimised can produce savings of up to 70% off the energy bills.
Choose your solar system from a reputable manufacturer or supplier, you could consider solar panels that have a 30 year guarantee and are constructed in a ‘glass glass’ formation. Solarwatt is one such company.
Battery Storage
The concept of storing electricity generated from the sun with a solar PV system has developed very quickly and very efficiently in recent years. With a battery storage facility installed in your home you can be in complete control of your power generation, the usage and it’s management. The Solarwatt solar, battery and energy management system is unique in achieving all this.
Air Source Heat Pump
How do they work? They operate in a similar way to a fridge in reverse. Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are installed outside your home. They absorb heat from the outside air this is then used to heat your home’s radiators, underfloor heating system and hot water. Compared to traditional heating systems like boilers, the carbon footprint of an air source heat pump is very low.
A property that is to have an ASHP installed must be very well insulated. Radiator size may also need to be increased, as heat pumps operate at lower temperatures than a conventional gas fired heating system. They are ideally suited to new build properties where the heating is underfloor.
Note that not all properties in the UK are suitable for an ASHP.
Infrared heating
Infrared heating works by heating the objects and people in a room unlike the conventional convection heating which is ‘space heating’ Infrared systems operate at either mains voltage 230v or low voltage such as 30 volts often the systems have a thin film of heating element that fits under floor coverings, others can be installed in the fabric of the building such as walls, ceilings and under floors.
Others are slim panel type heaters and they can be in the form of decorative pictures or mirrors. They often have thermostat controlled systems and are less expensive to run using less electrical power.