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There are many ways to save energy and reduce fuel utility bills in modern and older homes in the UK. Using solar energy is one way of reducing your power consumption and lowering energy bills. We recommend starting out by viewing the section regarding Renewable Energy Resources as a starter for home efficiency savings, with an introduction to some Green Energy solutions for the home owner. This section serves to provide homeowners with further facts and information to help reduce energy consumption, and thus maintain a sustainable future through the reduction of CO2 emissions further enhancing "green" credentials, while saving money in the process.

Building Design Products

The current design of buildings should encompass the environmental principles whilst maximising the sustainability and practicality of the building for the owner. There are many specialist consultants available in this field, find out more about Sustainable Homes.

Consideration should be given to new build homes as to the orientation and position to maximise solar gain, in this way, it can help reduce energy use, particularly in winter months. High levels of insulation should be used, and the materials used in the construction are obtained from sustainable sources.

Home Efficiency Measures

EPC certificates give every home an "A to G" rating for its energy efficiency and carbon emissions. A ratings indicate higher efficiency, and G ratings are the least efficient. The certificates detail also provide projected costs for heating, hot water and lighting in the home under review and a report indicating how to cut costs through energy efficiency recommendations. These reports, prepared by either a qualified home inspector, or DEA domestic energy assessor advise homeowners on which measures should be considered to improve the overall ratings.

What is meant by "Payback Time"?

Quite simply the payback time is determined by your initial outlay for your chosen renewable energy option (the hardware and installation costs) verses the time it takes for your savings in energy costs to pay for the green energy solution you have chosen for your project. Thereafter, you begin to save money on your utility bills. A typical low cost solution for home energy generation is a domestic wind turbine for your home, as the initial costs are lower than say the installation of solar panels or a ground source heat pump, these installations may take longer to pay for themselves. It is worth considering seeking specialist advice for any renewable energy option to determine if the solution is the right one for your needs.

Building Design Products Suppliers

The Sustainable Building Code helps to address these issues. The Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) also known as the BRE Ecohomes System. Assessors known as Code Assessors are specialists in this field.

Further information about Environmental Building Design Products is provided below:

Solar Energy

Air Heat Pumps

Air Source Heat Pumps air source heating for hot water distribution and pump installers, and how to fit air source heat pump devices and pump heating systems for air-to-water and, air-to-air exchangers for heat transfer. An air source heat pump can also be used with Underfloor Heating.

Ground Heat Pumps

Ground Source Heat Pumps ground source heating installers, and how to install ground source heating products and high efficiency heat pump heating equipment. A ground source heat pump used in this way uses geothermal energy under-ground. A ground source heat pump (GSHP) is ideal for use with an Underfloor Heating system.

Biomass

Biomass power generators using biomass advanced fuel technology. Biomass is considered a sustainable fuel and, on the whole carbon neutral. Fuel used includes biomass products like wood chips, wood pellets or cereals, which are burned to provide power and heat. See also Biomass Boilers.

Wood Chip, Wood Pellet, Wood Burning Stoves and Biomass Boilers

Biomass Boilers that are green and eco-friendly, by using a wood burning biomass boiler using wood pellets or wood chips and logs you help the environment. Automated feed wood pellet biomass boilers are available on the market, which makes biomass heating, stoves and fireplaces even easier to use. Wood burning boilers and stoves using wood chips as a fuel are becoming popular amongst consumers looking for an eco-friendly boiler or stove.

Solar Hot Water Evacuated Tube Collector

Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors is a solar panel which can be used for solar thermal systems. Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors are usually installed as part of a domestic solar hot water "solar thermal" installation.

Solar PV Flat Plate Collector

Flat Plate Solar Collectors are solar panels designed for generating solar power, a solar PV (Photovoltaic) installation is ideal for providing electricity which can be used to power other solar equipment. Flat Plate Solar Collectors can be used to export power to the electricity grid by applying for a feed in tariff scheme (FITs).

Rainwater Harvesting and Collection

Rainwater Harvesting is the practice of conserving and recycling rainwater by using a rainwater collection system. The water (and grey water) can be re-used for appliances that would normally use mains tap water. See also Rainwater Harvesting Suppliers for ideas and advice on conserving rainwater. Rainwater collection and harvesting is a useful way of recycling rainwater for re-use in the domestic home. Learn more about the benefits of harvesting rainwater.

Solar Panels

Solar Panels are manufactured for specific purposes, the main types are referred to as the Evacuated Tube Solar Collector, Flat Plate Solar Collector and Photovoltaic (PV) solar panel.

Solar Heating

Solar Heating hot water thermal heating systems using solar power in the home or business environment. See also Solar Heating Suppliers.

Solar Thermal

Solar Thermal Panel Companies Solar Power thermal hot water systems using solar energy for the home or business to provide a solar hot water supply (solar thermal system) by using Evacuated Tube solar panels.

Solar Ventilation and Fans

Solar Ventilation using the solar energy from the sun to power fans and ventilation systems. Ventilators and fan units are zero carbon rated, they use no external power and require little or no maintenance.

Sustainable Homes

Sustainable Homes code for the environmental assessment method for new homes and dwellings, find out more about the system used for the Sustainable Homes Code.

Photovoltaic Panels

Photovoltaic Panels solar panel and PV Photovoltaic panel installations and solar PV equipment using solar powered collectors (Photovoltaics).

Sunpipes

Sunpipes using a Sun Pipe to provide space heating, Sun Pipes can be fitted to the roof, providing heating using sunlight as a free resource.

Waste Water Recycling & Sewage Treatment - Grey and Black Water Recycling

Waste Water Recycling & Sewage Treatment process, Greywater and Black Water facts about using natural sustainable waste recycle methods for your household or business property waste water recycling.

Wind Turbines

Small Wind Turbines small home wind turbine kits for a DIY wind turbine electricity generator for domestic home use. Wind turbines are a popular choice for homeowners for generating domestic power. Commercial scale wind farms use large wind turbines for the production of electricity for feeding into the grid. Cashback options are available through the Feed In Tariffs scheme (FITS).

Wind Power

Wind Power wind powered devices, large or small for domestic or commercial wind turbine applications. Learn more about the different types of turbine available, horizontal or vertical axis wind generators are the most common in the UK. If you are looking to buy a wind turbine see above for details.

Home Insulation

Renewables information get the facts about home energy saving insulation:

Cavity Wall Insulation insulating cavity walls using renewable Cavity Fill material.
Double Glazing double glazed window installations using renewable UPVC Double Glazing materials.
Draught Proofing draught proof measures using renewable materials for draught proofing and minimising draughts in your home.
Energy Efficient Boilers Gas Condensing combi boilers using either Natural Gas, Oil or LPG, for central heating boiler replacement, fit a new gas combination boiler, condensing boilers have high efficiency and can be installed as a replacement when you upgrade your gas Boiler to a combi condensing boiler as part of your Central Heating System upgrade whether its gas-fired, oil, or LPG.
Floor Insulation insulating of floors using renewable insulation material for floors.
Underfloor Heating radiant heating system using hot water, underfloor space heating designed to provide an even heat distribution underfloor, and can be used with a central heating system or a heat pump.
Home Energy Saving Grants do you qualify for a home improvement grant?
Loft Insulation insulating a loft space using renewable insulation material to insulate your loft space.
Energy Saving Lighting Lamps and Lighting products and CFL lamp fittings and suppliers for LED energy efficient lamps and lighting.

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