Apart from most famous solar panel, there are many ways to create an energy efficient home, reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills.
According to the Energy Savings Trust a huge 22% of the UK’s carbon emissions are generated just from our homes!
There are many small, easy changes that we can make to reduce our energy consumption, such as reducing the time we spend in the shower, hanging our clothes out as opposed to using the tumble dryer or turning our televisions off rather than leaving on standby.
However, new energy saving appliances can be expensive. Solar panel technology, insulation; heat pumps; thermal energy stores; micro-combined heat; energy efficient kitchen items are just a few of the solutions available for saving energy within the home.
By changing our lifestyles and adapting to energy-efficient habits, we can help to mitigate the devastating effects of global climate change once and for all.
The UK government are continuously providing grants for windows and doors and introducing new schemes to help transform the way we live. The UK government have set a target reach 0% carbon emissions, this means that we will be required to reduce the energy usage within our home over the next 30 years!
If we’re going to reach this target, we have no choice to act now. In 2021 the government famously introduced the ‘Green Homes Grant’, one of the grants for windows and doors to cover the cost of energy efficient home improvements such as a low carbon heat pump, under floor insulation, a bio mass boiler and cavity wall insulation.
This scheme has now been scrapped due to the long delays with the grants for windows and doors, which was most likely an effect of the pandemic. Currently, there are no home improvement government grants available, but there are many businesses which are willing to provide contributions for eligible homeowners.
The government recently announced reduced tax on eco- efficient items such as a solar panel and a heat pump from 5% to zero from April 2022. The VAT relief will be reduced on all energy efficient home improvement items.
The key purpose of this scheme is to reduce carbon emissions, however the government is aware that energy costs within the home are rising and that the installation of energy efficient appliances will make a huge difference to residential bills.
This generous 5% or below reduction of VAT is an effect of the new freedoms caused by BREXIT. The scheme is set to be extremely accessible due to additional technologies and the removal of most eligibility checks and conditions for the grants for windows.
That is not all, the government is also set to increase the offering further by providing a zero rate on the installation of ESM’s. This means that a family home could save up to £1,000 on solar panels, followed by an annual reduction of utility bills.
Products Available In The Scheme
Solar Panel Technology
The installation of solar panel technology can be expensive at first, but they are incredibly popular solution when maximising the energy efficiency within your home.
A solar panel will convert energy from the sun into electricity. A reduced electric bill; insurance against energy rising costs; energy independence; an eco-friendly affordable power source are just some of the advantages of solar panel technology.
Heat Pumps
A heat pump is just as eco-friendly as solar panel technology. Eco-friendly appliances as it transforms low temperature heat into high temperature heat through a small amount of electricity and pressure techniques.
A heat pump captures the heat from the outside and transfers it into your home. The heat pump is powered by electricity, however the amount of heat which is generated is much more than the amount of electricity which is needed to generate the heat.
The installation of a heat pump offers low running costs, low maintenance, reduced carbon footprint and a long life span.
Insulation
Insulation is an energy efficient home solution used to protect your home. The primary purpose is to effectively stop heat from escaping or entering a property. Many homeowners choose cavity wall insulation, which can be placed between the walls of your home by a qualified professional.
The benefits of installation can be experienced almost instantaneously – some of the advantages include reduction of energy costs, prevention of moisture and a huge enhancement of your home’s thermal performance.
Be sure to take advantage 5% reduction of VAT on materials to help you save energy in 2022.
Need more help with your home renovation? We are providing generous home improvement grants and contributions for eligible homeowners, check how much you could receive today! APPLY FOR GRANTS NOW