Solar Power
The term solar power is used to describe a number of methods of harnessing energy from the sun.
As environmental concerns about greenhouse gasses increase in conjunction with the depletion of fossil fuels, renewable energies such as solar power are increasing in popularity across the world as a viable alternative to grid-power electricity and heating generation.
There are two types of solar power, solar electric power which use photovoltaic cells to convert solar radiation into electricity, and solar thermal energy where the sun’s energy is used to heat water. Solar panels can, therefore, be installed to generate energy for either electricity or heating hot water, and are an excellent way of saving money on energy bills while helping to reduce harmful emissions.
Installation
There are many companies that offer installation of solar panels, or installation can be undertaken oneself. Solar panels are often fitted to the roof of a property and generate energy from the sunlight during daylight hours. On a new build, it is often possible to integrate the panels into the structure of the house more seamlessly. For information on installing solar panels, see:
www.ehow.com/how_2153725_install-solar-electric-panels.html
Solar panels are an extremely energy efficient way of generating electricity and/or hot water for the home
or business, and can generate energy on cloudy days as well as in direct sunlight.
A couple of interesting facts on solar power include:
- If we covered a small fraction of the Sahara desert with photovoltaic cells, we could generate
all the world’s electricity requirements
- Solar panels have the ability to meet all of our energy needs, but at present we only use a tiny fraction of the energy that the sun has to offer, and the sun produces more energy every hour than the entire energy needs of human civilization from the beginning of time!
Government Grants
If you are based in the UK, the government offers various grant schemes for installing solar panels, see:
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Easy-ways-to-stop-wasting-energy/Energy-saving-grants-and-offers
www.uk-energy-saving.com/government_solar_power_grants.html
Wind Turbines
Wind turbines harness the power of the wind and convert it into energy for the home. Small systems known as "microwind" or "small-wind" turbines can produce electricity to help power the electrical appliances and the lighting systems in a typical home.
The wind forces the blades to turn which in turn powers a turbine, thereby generating electricity. There are two types of domestic-sized wind turbine:
- Mast mounted turbines are free standing and are erected in a position suitably exposed to the wind, often around 2.5kW to 6kW.
- Roof mounted turbines are smaller than mast mounted systems and can be installed on the roof of a home. Often these are around 1kW to 2kW in size.
Clean Energy Cashback Scheme
The ‘Clean Energy Cashback Scheme’ means that you can get paid for the energy that your installed solar or wind turbine system produces and generates. Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) are now also available in Great Britain as of 1st April 2010. This scheme requires energy suppliers to make regular payments to householders and communities who generate their own electricity from renewable or low carbon sources.
See:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feed-in_tariff
These schemes provides extra incentive to install solar panels or wind turbines for energy generation in the home, as you can apply to receive monies for the energy you are sustainably generating, meaning that not only is it environmentally sustainable, but also financially sustainable as well!
There are a number of simple steps that can be taken to improve the efficiency of your home’s heating and insulation.
Boilers
One of the most important steps is to install an efficient modern boiler. Boilers account for around 60% of the carbon dioxide emissions in a gas heated home. The Energy Saving Trust UK say:
“By replacing an old G rated boiler with a new high efficiency condensing boiler and improving your heating controls, you will significantly cut your home's carbon dioxide emissions and could save as much as £235 a year.” (
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/)
Replacing your old G rated boiler with a modern condenser boiler will improve the conversion of fuel into heat for your home from 65% to well over 86%. Installing a heating control that self times the heating to come on and off at specific times at a particular temperature will also help you regulate the heating in your home to maximize efficiency.
By installing a condenser high efficiency boiler and a remote heating control will greatly reduce your bills and wasted energy in your home.
Insulation
The other element to achieving high heating efficiency and saving money on bills in the home or business is installing quality and sustainable insulation. It is also an essential element of home energy efficiency and is one of the most cost saving measures you can take to reduce energy bills!
Properly insulating your home includes the consideration and installation of a number of elements:
- Loft Insulation: insulating your loft properly can save you around £150 a year on energy bills!
- Draught proofing: Sealing draughty window and door frames from draught can not only keep heat in but also save up to £25 a year.
- Double Glazing: This works by trapping air between two sheets of glass creating an insulating air pocket – saving you at least £135 a year on heating bills and halves heat lost through windows.
- Cavity Wall and Floor Insulation: Installing proper modern floor and wall insulation can save you up to £400 a year in bills!
For information on Cavity wall and other insulation installation and options, see:
www.staffordarea.saveyourenergy.org.uk/how/insulation/CavityWall
Appliances
With home appliances accounting for a sizeable proportion of your household CO2 emissions, it's important to look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo when buying and choosing household appliances - guaranteeing these products are the most energy efficient in their category, will cost less to run and help lower the carbon emissions of your home or business in the long term.
- Washing machines: If you do have a washing machine, make sure that its officially ‘AAA’ rated, thus guaranteeing maximum energy efficiency from this energy hungry appliance.
- Dishwasher: An ‘A’ class energy efficient dishwasher will cost around 20% less per cycle than a more antiquated and inefficient machine.
- Fridges and freezers: These appliances, mostly always on and constantly working and using energy 24 hours a day, are one of the most energy draining appliances in the kitchen, thereby being an obvious choice when considering more efficient appliances.
- Tumble Dryers: A washing line is the most efficient dryer out there! However, if you do have a tumble dryer, make sure its an A class type, as it will cost you half as much to run per wash as a ‘C’ class less efficient one. Try and fill it up as much as you can with each wash, and washing at lower temperatures, thus saving water, energy, and time!
- Don’t forget the smaller appliances like Kettles! (the most used appliance in the kitchen!)
Lights and Fittings
Energy efficient light bulbs can last up to ten times longer than standard light bulbs. Traditional light bulbs waste up to 95 per cent of the electricity they use in generating wasted heat, and are therefore a very inefficient choice for converting electricity to light, adding to your carbon footprint, and wasting not only energy, but money as well.
Energy saving light bulbs are also known as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). They fit into standard light fittings and are up to 80 per cent more efficient at turning energy into light, and can last up to 10 times longer than a normal light bulb. They could also reduce your energy bills by up to £37 a year if fitted throughout the house.
(Information sourced from Energy Saving Trust UK, DirectGov.co.uk and Responsibletravel.com)
