How Much Money Could Solar Panels Save On Energy Bills?

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Installing solar panels onto the roof of your house is a short-term expense with long-term savings, and in recent years, lower costs and higher savings have made the installation of solar power even more appealing.

With more advanced photovoltaic technologies, improved battery storage and a greater understanding of how they work outside of direct sunlight, solar panels have become more efficient, better value for money and reduced energy bills more than ever before, even considering the cost of installation.

Exactly how much you save will depend on a wide range of factors, from the size of your roof, how steep it is, which direction it faces and where there are any large obstacles in the way of the sun such as tall trees and other buildings. 

It also depends on if you can claim under a grant scheme such as the Energy Company Obligation.

As well as this, the Smart Export Guarantee, which pays small-scale electricity generators for the low-carbon electricity they supply to the National Grid, can help create further savings.

Finally, it depends on how much energy you use. If you work at home you will get far bigger savings than if you are out until late.

On average, someone living in North London who works from home and subscribes to the SEG could expect to save as much as £600 per year on their energy bills, a massive saving given the average annual cost of electric bills in the UK is nearly £1000.

With an average operating life of 25 years, solar panels should pay for themselves long before they are set to expire and their benefits often work well in combination with other green energies such as PV diverter switches, electric vehicles, heat pumps and battery storage.

It is worth consulting an expert to see how beneficial a solar panel will be, but with improving technologies and lower costs, the benefits are becoming difficult to ignore.

Why Solar Panels Are Not Just For Warm And Sunny Days

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With a general election coming up, many will be wondering if the government we end up with after July 4th will do more to promote the installation of solar panels on domestic roofs. But you can still have this work done yourself.

That may mean investing your own money, but it can still pay for itself in time by generating some of your own domestic electricity. At the same time, it helps the UK move towards decarbonisation and net zero as more households do this.

However, some will ask whether solar panels really work that well in a cloudy and rainy climate like ours. The answer to that question is yes.

While it is true that cloudy weather with reduced sunlight means panels produce less electricity than they would in the bright light of a sunny day, they are not prevented from working by clouds, or by getting a bit wet. Indeed they will function just as well when the sun comes out after a shower than they would if it has been dry all day.

Moreover, rain can actually perform a useful function, as it helps wash away the accumulation of grime, debris, bird droppings and other muck that would otherwise collect unimpeded on the panels. In doing this, it actually helps the panels collect more light.

Despite government subsidies for renewables ending in 2019, the installation of solar panels and other items like ground source heat pumps reached record levels last year, according to data provided by the Microregeneration Certification Scheme.

In 2023, there were 189,826 installations of solar panels, up 30 per cent from the previous year. This may highlight the desire of many households not to be dependent on outside sources of energy after the price shocks that followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Since 2009, 1.4 million households, five per cent of the UK total, have had solar panels installed.

Why Underfloor Heating Is Older Than You Might Think

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The idea of fitting underfloor heating in a north London home might seem rather novel, despite all its many great advantages of energy efficiency and thoroughly effective warming.

In fact, the first London residents to have underfloor heating did so a long time ago – stretching back to when there first was a place called London at all.

What is now a bustling megacity was founded by the Romans, whose empire featured some very advanced engineering. Apart from their water and sewage systems, plus the capacity to build a wall that could stretch from one coast to the other, they created their own underfloor heating systems, called hypocausts.

Among examples of this are the baths at what is now Billingsgate, while another bath house site, also heated by a hypocaust, was discovered in Southwark in 2011.

The hypocaust system worked by using a double floor, with fires lit in the space in between. The heat would rise up and could warm up bath water or, in homes, the air in the living space above.

Other examples of Roman hypocausts can be found around Britain and around the empire. Suffice to say, only the wealthier and higher-ranking Romans had it in their residences.

You don’t have to be very wealthy or the owner of a public bathhouse to have underfloor heating in London today, of course. Although the technology used by the Romans was advanced for its time, it is safe to say the modern systems used are much better. For one thing, you won’t need servants to keep going downstairs to keep the fires stoked.

Instead, with one of our skilled engineers carrying out the installation work, you can enjoy the benefits of a modern energy-efficient system that represents a great investment for a present-day homeowner, enabling you to enjoy comfortable living without high bills.

When Should Most People Turn The Heating Off This Year?

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As soon as there is a peak of sunshine breaking through the clouds, Brits are already planning to dust off their barbecues and dig out their sunglasses. So with spring finally appearing to be on the way, most of us are beginning to think about when is the right time to turn off the central heating. 

Those who are still feeling the chill, despite the longer hours of daylight, will be pleased to know it is not imminent, and can enjoy having the radiators turned up for a few weeks more. 

By the end of the month, however, most households will be starting to switch their thermostat off, as the weather should be warmer and it is a chance to save money on their energy bills. 

Traditionally, lots of bill payers tend to use the clocks going forward as a marker to switch their heating off.

Director of Leading Trades Training Experts at Engineering Real Results Ricky Sharma told the Express: “While the exact date is a decision for each family, it’s usually safe to do so on the day the clocks go forward to mark the arrival of British Summer Time.”

For 2024, that date will be Sunday March 31st, though some people will do it earlier if they feel warm enough in their homes. 

Indeed, lots of Brits might be tempted to turn theirs off as soon as average temperatures rise above 10C, which could be as soon as March 22nd this year.  

Mr Sharma advised not turning off the heating too soon though, as it can result in mould and dampness in the house if it gets too cold. 

What’s more, there are health risks associated with low indoor temperatures, including a higher chance of developing respiratory conditions, inflammation of the lungs, and poor circulation.

Why You Should Keep Underfloor Heating On All The Time

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Most homeowners are currently facing a conundrum about how often they should put the heating on and how high they should set their thermostat, thanks to the combination of high energy bills and freezing temperatures. 

Although many want to save money on their heating expenses, the wintry conditions that are likely to remain for the next few months makes it very difficult to stay warm inside if the house is not sufficiently heated up. 

This is what leads many households to regularly turning their thermostat up and down, trying to use as little energy as possible until they can no longer handle the cold and need the house to be warmer. 

However, for those who have underfloor heating, it is better to have them constantly on instead of frequently turning them on and off. 

According to uHeat, having it on all day, even when nobody is in, means it will be quicker to warm up and it will be more efficient. 

“As long as you opt for a well-built, properly installed, high-quality underfloor heating system, you can be confident of leaving the system switched on all day every day without any problems at all,” it stated. 

This ensures the room will receive some heat throughout the day, but homeowners can also increase the temperature if they need extra warming up when they want. 

Without leaving it on all day, it is difficult to feel the true benefits of underfloor heating, as it can take a couple of hours to properly warm up. Therefore, once the room is no longer uncomfortably cold, it might be time to go to bed! 

Only Use Heating ‘When Necessary’ To Avoid High Bills

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The majority of homeowners will be looking for ways to cut down on their heating bills this winter, as energy prices have soared over the last year. 

Dispelling the myth that having the heating on low all day is the best way to have low bills, the Money Saving Expert website says the Energy saving Trust recommends only putting the heating on when it is needed.

It stated: “The key thing to understand here is that it’s all about the total amount of energy required to heat your home.”

By having the heating on all day, “you’re losing energy all day”, which is why it is cheaper to only turn it on when residents are cold. 

However, it is not just about keeping people warm. The Energy Saving Trust notes that turning the heating on and off can cause condensation in the house, as the temperature is constantly changing. 

“This condensation can help conduct heat outside the home, they say – meaning you leak heat more quickly and so you will use more energy as a result,” the Money Saving Expert added. 

Those who have homes that are prone to condensation may have to balance the benefits of cheaper energy bills with potential damage to the property due to the extra moisture in the air.  

Other ways to reduce condensation, and therefore, lower the risk of dampness include wiping down windows and sills every morning, using extractor fans when cooking or in the bathroom, opening windows, installing insulation, buying a dehumidifier, and hanging clothes outside to dry, instead of indoors. 

When it comes to reducing energy bills, make sure you use boiler repair in north London to ensure your central heating system is in good condition.

Are You Eligible For The Household Support Fund?

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Households have been hit by rising energy bills over the last few months, leaving many families having to choose between putting the heating on or feeding their children. Those who are worried they cannot pay their fees might now be eligible for the Household Support Fund.

From Friday (July 8th), local councils will be distributing some of the government fund, offering £200 to those who need it to pay for energy, water, and food bills, reported iNews.

This comes after the Household Support Fund was introduced in September last year and was due to come to an end by March 31st 2022. However, it was extended as the price of energy has continued to soar.

In May 2022, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a new £15 billion support package for low-income households, which includes one-off cost-of-living payments of £650 for eight million households who are already on Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Pension Credits and legacy benefits.

Pensioner households will also receive £300, while those being given disability benefits will obtain £150.

Additionally, from October 2022, the energy bills support fund will increase from £200 to £400, and households will not be required to pay it back.

Mr Sunak stated: “We know that people are facing challenges with the cost of living and that is why today I’m stepping in with further support to help with rising energy bills.”

He went on to say everyone has a “collective responsibility” to help those who need it.

Those who want to apply for the fund can do so through their local authority. The eligibility criteria will vary from council to council, and households will need to produce evidence of why they need the financial support.

 

For solar panel installation in London to lower electricity bills, get in touch today.

Underfloor Heating A Feature Of New London Development

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With the nights only just starting to get longer, there is plenty of summer still to enjoy in London. However, the inevitable arrival of autumn and winter will leave many fretting, with energy bills set to rise if, as expected, the price cap is raised again in October.

This means energy efficiency will be more important than ever and for some, that will involve discovering the benefits of underfloor heating. Indeed, underfloor heating installers in north London may be very busy over the coming months.

Some people in the capital will be lucky enough to have this facility already in place when they move into their home, with the developers being smart enough to incorporate it into the design.

Property Wire has highlighted one such case, a development of 33 new homes by Guinness Homes at Leaside Lock in east London. Underfloor heating has been installed in all of the properties, which are all two-bedroom apartments available on a shared basis.

Of course, the developers have been swift to highlight the other features of the apartments too, such as the proximity of the river Lea, green spaces and proximity of public transport connections such as the Bromley-by-Bow Zone 2 Underground Station, just three minutes walk away. Even so, it is hard to ignore how the homes will be kept warm.

The value of underfloor heating was recently highlighted by uSwitch. In an article on the topic it noted that while the fitting work, like any major development work in a home, will be “messy” and disruptive for a short time, it is eminently worth it.

It stated: “There’s no doubt that it can be an effective alternative to traditional radiators or hot air heating systems, especially in rooms with traditionally cold floors made of stone or tile.”

All this goes to show that, if you live in London and don’t happen to be moving into a brand new apartment, you can still get underfloor heating and enjoy the benefits of warmth and energy efficiency when the colder weather returns.

Radiator Covers “Drastically Increase Bill”

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Rising fuel prices are going to have a big impact on household bills over the next few months, so one thing homeowners will not want to do is force their heating fees up even more. That is why it is advisable to remove any radiator covers, no matter how fashionable they are at the moment.

Commenting on the matter, Daniel Nezhad, director of UK Radiators, told The Express that many people want to hide their heating devices, particularly if they are not designer or particularly stylish.

However, one thing they should not do is use radiator covers to disguise them, as this “could actually cost you more than you think”.

“Covering your radiator will significantly impact its ability to heat your home,” said Mr Nezhad, due to the fact the heat will remain trapped within the cover and will not be able to heat the house as efficiently.

Consequently, homeowners will turn their heating up higher or keep it on for longer to stay warm, which could “drastically increase the cost of your energy bills”.

Instead, Brits who want to hide their unsightly radiators could paint them the same colour as the walls, which is currently a very popular interior design trend.

Something else they could do is remove some of their radiators entirely and install underfloor heating in their North London home instead.

These have many benefits, including creating more wall space by removing radiators, spreading heat evenly throughout the house, being more environmentally-friendly, keeping bathrooms and kitchens free of water on the floor, and saving money on energy bills.

Why Underfloor Heating Should Be Home Improvement Priority

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At a time when the cost of living has been soaring, many people will have been thinking carefully about how to manage their household budgets; not just in terms of day to day costs, but also in their larger spending decisions.

Home improvements are a case in point. For much of the last two years the desire for more home working room or extra outdoor leisure space has motivated many to focus on extensions.

Now, however, circumstances have changed. With the pandemic easing and the clarion call to return to the office having gone out, there may be other priorities for home improvement, like more energy efficiency as gas prices have skyrocketed.

Alongside this may be a matter of particular interest to Londoners. As property website Rightmove has noted, the capital is seeing prices rise as the ‘race for space’ that pushed people out of the capital has reversed and living in commuter land is back in a big way.

As the Evening Standard noted, the 7.3 per cent rise in prices over the last 12 months represents the strongest London price growth since the Brexit referendum.

With the average house price in the capital now £661,000, it may seem householders will not have to do too much to boost their property price. But the corollary of that is that for those wanting to sell, and move up the ladder in London will also be costlier than before.

That may be one reason for installing underfloor heating in north London. By boosting the value of a home, householders could gain a real edge in a Metropolitan property market that is now reasserting itself after years in the doldrums.

However, it is not just the shift away from needing home working space that could change priorities for home improvers, nor even the benefits of property value. A more efficient means of heating will be especially valuable if energy price inflation becomes even more pronounced due to the impact of the current Russia-Ukraine conflict on gas prices.

For all these reasons, investing in underfloor heating may be the most efficient, attractive and cost-effective way to improve your home.