Hot air goes up, and if your house is not properly insulated, you could lose as much as one
fourth of your heat through your roof. By insulating a loft or attic or even any flat roofs on
your home, you take simple and quite effective measures to cut down on that heat loss and
save money on your heating bills; this is even something you can do yourself.
Insulation in a loft provides effective heat loss prevention for at least forty years, and the
installation of such insulation will pay for itself many times over the course of those four
decades.
How Much Money Could Be Saved?
| Loft insulation
(0 -270mm) |
Loft insulation
(100 – 270mm) |
|
| Approximate savings per year | Up to €210 | €30 |
| Up-front Installation costs | €120 to €420 | €120 to €420 |
| Time taken to pay for itself | Up to two years | From four years |
| DIY cost | €60 to €420 | €60 to €420 |
| Time taken to pay for itself | Up to two years | From two years |
| Carbon dioxide saving per year | About 720kg | About 110kg |
These estimates are generated based on installing insulation a gas-heated, semi-detached
home that has 3 bedrooms, as compared to a similar home with an uninsulated loft, and
when insulation is upgraded from 100mm of insulation to 270mm. (270mm is the
recommended depth for mineral wool insulation, but other materials may require different
thicknesses).
Even if the loft of your home is already insulated, it would still be worthwhile to double-check to be sure the insulation is of the proper depth, just to be sure you have enough insulation to reap the maximum saving. If every homeowner in the UK installed 270mm thickness of loft insulation, we could save almost €600 million, plus eliminate 2.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually; this is the equivalent of eliminating almost 100,000 cars from the road.
Choosing the Right Loft Insulation
Easy Loft Access and Regularly-Spaced Joists
If your loft is easily accessible and does not have problems with dampness or condensation, it should be very easy to install installation—
this is even a job you could do yourself.
If there is access to the loft and the ceiling has regular joist, you can simply install rolls of
mineral wool insulation. To do this, simply roll out the insulation in the spaces between the
ceiling’s joists (the horizontal beams that constitute the structural strength or ‘floor’ of the
loft). After this, a second layer should be put down perpendicular to the joists to provide a
better seal and to achieve the required depth of insulation. This can be done by either a a
professional installer or a do-it-yourself-er.
Storage Space or Living Space?
If you will need to utilize your loft or attic as a storage space, you will need to build a floor
over thejoists. Unfortunately, if you only install insulation up to the top of the joists, you
will not have the necessary thickness of insulation needed to maximize the effectiveness
of the insulation. To solve this problem, you can:
- Use mineral wool to insulate the spaces that are between the joists and supplement this
rigid insulation boards above it, and place the wooden flooring on top of that. You can
even buy insulation board that is pre-bonded to floor boarding to make the job even
easier. Or: - Alternatively, you might raise the floor level higher to accommodate a sufficient thickness
of mineral wool under the floorboards.
In either case, be sure you do not press down or flatten the mineral wool when you install the
floorboards, as this will decrease the effectiveness of the insulation.
If you would like to utilize the attic for a living area, it is possible to insulate the underside of the
roof rather than the floor. The best way to achieve this is by installing rigid insulation boards in
the spaces between the roof rafters. The insulation boards must be cut properly to ensure a
snug fit between the rafters. These spaces and the installed insulation can then be covered
over with drywall or plasterboards. The spaces between the rafters are not usually very deep,
so to attain the best insulation value it may be necessary to insulate on top of the rafters as well,
using insulated plasterboard. If you do not have sufficient room to do this, be sure that the
insulation board you use is of the highest performance rating available.
Difficult to access the Attic
If it is hard to access your Attic, you can use blown insulation to create a heat barrier. This type of
insulation must be installed by a professional, who will utilize special equipment to inject loose, fire
-retardant insulating material made up of mineral wool or fibers of cellulose into the loft area. This
job can normally be completed in just a few hours.
Irregular Joists
In the event that you have an irregular loft space, incorrectly distanced joists for rolled insulation,
or other types of obstructions that making using rolls of mineral wool insulation impractical, you
can use loose-fill insulation. This type of insulation material is sold in bags, and can be made up of
mineral wool or cellulose fiber, cork granules, or vermiculite. To install this form of insulation, you
simply pour it into the spaces between the joists to the correct depth. You can do this type of insulation
yourself or hire a professional installer. It may be necessary to raise the height of the joist in order to
achieve the proper insulation depth.
Flat Roofs
It is always preferable to insulate a flat roof by installing the insulation from above. This can be done
by adding rigid insulation board directly on top of the roof timbers with the weatherproofing layer on
top of the insulation, or on top of the existing weatherproofing with a second layer of weatherproofing
on top of that. The best time to do a job such as this is when you already need to replace and existing
roof covering. In fact, to comply with Building Regulations, you must replace your insulation when
your roof covering needs to be replaced.
It is also possible to install insulation for a flat roof from the underside, but if this is not done properly
it will probably lead to problems with condensation. Either way, insulating a flat roof is a job that is best
left to a professional.
Installing insulation on a flat roof could save you as much as €216 and 800kg of carbon dioxide emissions annually if at least half of the area of your roof is flat; these savings will vary based on how much of the roof area is flat.
Damp or Humid Attic
The purpose of insulation is to help contain heat and prevent its loss from living areas, so your attic
willbe cooler as a result. If you loft already has problems with dampness and/or condensation, these
problems could get even worse. Seek the advice of a professional before doing any installation of
insulation to see if it is possible to address the dampness issues first.
Pipes, Water Tanks and Loft Hatches
Adding insulation to the spaces between the joists in your loft will increase the warmth of the living areas
of you home, but it will make the loft space itself cooler. Water tanks and/or pipes in the loft space are at
an increased risk of freezing as a result, so these will need to be insulated. If water tanks in your loft are far from the access hatch, there will be an additional need for a safe walkway for when you need to get to them.
The cooler attic air that results from attic insulation could cause cold drafts to enter your home via the
attic access hatch. To address this issue, install an insulated attic hatch and weather seal around the frame edges with strips of draught-excluding material.
In a wood-fuelled heating system, also known as a biomass system, wood chips, pellets,
or logs are burned to generate heat, for either an individual room, to provide a home’s
central heating, or to power water boiler systems.
- Stove use logs or wooden pellets to generate heat for individual rooms, or they might
also have a back boiler, which heats water. - Boilers use wood chips, pellets, or logs and are connected to both central and water
heating systems. Savings reaped from using a wood-fuelled boiler might reach as much
as €720 per year when compared to electric-only heating.
The Benefits of Using a Wood-Fuelled Heating System
- Affordable heating fuel: though the price of wood used for fuel varies a great deal, it is most often more economical that other sources of heat.
- A low-carbon emissions option: when you burn wood, the emissions of carbon dioxide are exactly equal to the amount of CO2 that was absorbed by the plant during the months of ears it was growing, so no additional carbon dioxide is being introduced to the atmosphere. This is a sustainable process so long as the plants burned for fuel are replaced with new. The process of cultivation of the plants, the manufacture of fuel wood, and the transportation of that fuel wood does
introduce some additional carbon emissions, but if you utilize locally sourced fuel
wood, these extra emissions are significantly lower than what would be the case with
fossil fuels burned for fuel.
Costs and Potential Savings
Up-Front and Maintenance Costs
The typical cost of a pellet stove, with installation included, will be approximately €5,160.
A log stove, on the other hand, will frequently cost less than half that amount, even when
you include a new chimney lining or flue.
Regarding boilers, a pellet boiler with an automatic feed system built for the average home,
including installation, fuel storage unit, flue, and taxes will total approximately €13,800.
Boiler systems that are manually fed logs will cost slightly less.
The cost of pellets will vary depending on the pellet size and how they are delivered. Purchasing
pellets as you need them will make the fuel costs more expensive. If your home has room to store
several tonnes of wood pellets all the time, purchasing bulk pellets delivered by tanker will reduce
the cost as low as €228.
Logs are usually less expensive than wood pellets, but the cost of fuel logs depends on the prices
set by your local area’s wood, since transportation of logs is expensive. If your storage area will
accommodate a year’s supply or more of logs, you could save lots of money on fuel costs by
purchasing logs that are not seasoned and allowing them to sit for a year.
Savings
The savings of carbon dioxide emissions is very significant - about 7.5 tonnes per year of CO2
emissions are eliminated when you replace coal fired or electric systems with wood-fuelled
boilers. The monetary savings vary more - if you are replacing a gas powered heating system
with a system that is wood-burning, your savings may be a little as €120 per year; however,
if the system being replaced is an electric heating system, your savings could amount to up to
€696 per year.
The following table demonstrates your expected savings should you replace a heating system
using another fuel source with a wood pellet burning central heating system in an average 3
bedroom, semi-detached home that features basic insulation:
| Fuel Type Replaced | Expected Savings | Expected CO2 Savings |
| Electricity | €696 per year | 7.5 tonnes per year |
| Oil | €336 per year | 4 tonnes per year |
| LPG | €864 per year | 3.5 tonnes per year |
| Coal | €360 per year | 7.5 tonnes per year |
| Gas | €120 per year | 3 tonnes per year |
All of these figures assume that the house is insulated, as it is always recommended that a house
be insulated prior to the installation of a renewable energy system. Therefore, it is possible for
you to save energy and money from insulating, and then compound those savings by switching
to wood heating as well!
Choosing which kind of Wood-Fuelled Heating System is right for You
- Boiler or stove? Wood-burning boilers can be substituted for a standard oil or gas boiler
to provide heat to radiators for an entire house, as well as to heat water. Stoves, on the other
hand, only provide heat to an individual room, and are usually used along with another heating
system; however, a stove may also be equipped with a back boiler, which provides hot water. - Wood Chips, Logs, or Pellets? Chips aren’t a suitable fuel for providing heat to a single home,
but are perfectly acceptable for heating large buildings or groups of homes. Pellets are more
controllable and are easier to use than logs; a pellet boiler can run automatically, very much
like as oil or gas boiler operates. Stoves and water boilers that operate by burning logs must be
hand-filled with wooden fuel, whereas most systems that burn pellets or chips include and
automatic feeding unit that introduces more fuel periodically. Logs require much more work
on the part of the person operating the system, and many logs are needed to heat an entire
house, but they often cost less to run compared to pellet systems if there is a good local supply
of logs. - Do You Have a Convenient Local Wood Fuel Supplier? There are some companies that
now offer home delivery of pellets everywhere in Northern Ireland and mainland Britain; supplies
of logs varies depending on your location. - Do You Have Sufficient Storage Space? Boilers that use wood for fuel require more space than
those that use gas or oil for fuel. Fuel storage requires even more space, and the storage location
must be easily accessible for both fuel deliver is and for feeding fuel to the boiler. - Is There a Good Place for the Flue? Your home will need to be outfitted with a flue that meets
the building regulations for using appliances that burn wood for fuel. This will require either a
stainless steel flue pipe that is insulated properly, or a chimney (chimneys usually need to be
lined for them to be both legal and safe) that is already extant. - Will You Require Any Kind of Permission? It is possible that you will not need zoning
permission or some type of permit to convert to a wood-burning system, but you should
check to be sure. All new installations of wood heating systems must comply with the area’s
building regulations; the best way to be sure of this is to hire an installer who is part of a
competent person scheme.
Whether you realize it or not, the water coming out of your bathroom or kitchen tap requires
a great deal of energy to get it there, especially when it’s heated water. By using less water,
you will save money. Here are some helpful tips on saving water, both inside and outside the home.
Inside the house
Showers, Not Baths
By replacing one tub bath per week with a five minute shower instead, you will save around €22 per
year in gas costs, and as much as €25 per year in water costs, if you have metered water.
Update Your Hardware
Inefficient or worn-out shower heads increase water and gas costs. By replacing an old shower head
with one that is more water-efficient (low flow), you could save as much as €87 per year in gas costs
and about the same amount in water costs. That’s a substantial savings of €144!
No Half Measures
By running your dishwasher and clothes washer at full capacity and at the most energy and water-efficient settings, you will save significantly. When you eventually need to replace these appliance, always make sure to choose one that has the Energy Saving Recommended designation. This logo certifies that the product has been deemed energy and water-efficient.
Suds law
When it’s time to do the dishes by hand, use a sinkful of water twice daily instead of letting the hot water run. By doing this, you can save about €30 per year on water costs, if you have metered water. Also, rinse things like utensils and vegetables with cold water, and don’t let the tap run.
Boil a Cup, Drink a Cup
Kettles consume a substantial amount of energy for their size, so when you want a cuppa, only boil the amount of water you need at that time. This little hint alone can reduce your yearly energy bills by €9! Think about it: if everyone in the UK did this, the power saved could run all the public streetlights in the UK for a month!
Turn Off the Tap
A running tap in the bathroom or kitchen wastes in excess of six litres of water per minute. When you’re brushing your teeth, washing your face, shaving, etc., turn the water off until you need it again, rather than leaving it running. Also, use cold water unless absolutely necessary.
Stop the Drips
More than 5,500 litres of water can be wasted by a dripping tap in the space of a year, so always make sure the tap is turned off completely, and change worn out washers right away when the tap starts to drip.
Waste Not, Want Not
Be a smart steward of the environment by reusing water whenever you can. For instance, if your children don’t drink their full glass of water, pour the un-drunk water on houseplants, or dump it into a stoppered sink to use to wash dishes in later. When you are waiting for the hot water to arrive, catch the cold water that comes out first in a jug or pitcher and put it into the refrigerator as drinking water for later.
Outside the house
Get a Butt
Did you realize that your roof catches tens of thousands of litres of water per year, but that it is wasted by running directly into the drains? Invest in a water butt, which will watch and collect all that water, which can then be used for things like watering the garden and washing your car. Additionally, rainwater is much softer than tap water, which makes it better for the plants in your garden and houseplants.
Don’t Kick the Bucket
Don’t take your car to those energy-wasting jet washes and car washes; instead, get the bucket and sponge out of garage and get to work. Not only is it more ecologically sound (especially if you use water from a water butt), it’s also a good workout.
An un-insulated home loses around a quarter of its head through the roof. By simply
insulating an attic or loft you will effectively save energy and lower your heating costs
significantly, which translates into a savings of money and a reduction in the demand
for fossil fuels. Over the years, insulation will pay for itself several times over. Installing
insulation in your home can also be a DIY project.
Why Insulate?
Should your home’s loft already be insulated, it is still wise to check
whether it is sufficiently insulated to guarantee maximum savings
on your energy bill. One interesting fact: if every one in the United
Kingdom had 27mm f loft insulation, almost £500 million could be
saved in energy costs every year, not to mention the 2.7 million
tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions that wouldn’t be leaked into
the atmosphere. This is the equivalent of removing almost 100,000
automobiles from the road!
Choosing Your Loft Insulation
Lofts with easy access, regularly joist placement, and few dampness or condensation issues are normally quite easy to insulate using mineral wool. This material comes in a roll that
can be laid in a layer between the loft’s joists, which are the horizontal beams composing
the loft floor. Once this has been done, another layer can be laid at perpendicular angles
to cover up the joists and bring the insulation’s depth up to the desired depth. This should
be done by a qualified individual, whether it is a DIY project or a professional job.
Insulating Attic Living Spaces
If your loft or attic is a living space, a flooring of boards will need to be laid overthe joists.
However, only insulating between joists prior to laying this flooring won’t give sufficient
insulation depth. To ensure proper depth, take these measures:
- Lay mineral wool insulation between joists, then place rigid insulating board atop
this, with wooden floorboards atop those. Purchasing pre- bonded insulation
boarding makes the job even easier. Or, you can: - Raise the floor level to fit sufficient boards on top.
Regardless, do not squash or compress the mineral wool when mounting the floorboards,
as that will reduce the value and effectiveness of the insulation. The floorboards must be
measured and cut to the proper width, ensuring that they will have a snug fit between the
roof rafters, and then plasterboard can be placed on top. Rafters are not normally deep, so
in order to get the best level of performance you might need to insulate them correctly, using
insulated plaster board.
Insulating Lofts and Attics with Difficult Access
Hard-to-access lofts and attics may need blown insulation, which must be installed
professionally. This installation requires specialised equipment , which blows a loose,
fire- retardant cellulose or mineral wool insulation material into the loft space. This
installation normally only takes a couple of hours.
Irregular Joist Placement
Should your loft have irregular joist placement, meaning they are too close or too
far apart to place rolled mineral wool or that there are too many obstructions to lay
matting, loose-fill insulation is an option. Loose -fill insulation is sold in bags, and
is comprised of granules of cork, mineral wool, vermiculite, or cellular fibres, all of
which can be poured between roof joists to the desired depth. This is a project suited
for DIY-ers or for professionals. Loose-fill insulation may require increasing the joists’
height to make sure the insulation is deep enough.
Insulating Damp Lofts
Your insulated loft will be a lot cooler, since the insulation keeps heat from escaping
the living spaces—which can also aggravate pre-existing dampness or condensation
issues. Consult with a professional prior to installing insulation about whether the
dampness problems can be fixed before installing the insulation, to prevent exacerbating
the situation.
A home’s windows are one of the primary ways that heat energy is lost; if you want to save
money on your heating bills, keep your home warmer and quieter, and decrease your overall
carbon footprint, it is in your best interests to install energy efficient windows or glazing.
Ways to Increase Energy Efficiency with Windows
There are two kinds of window glazing: double and triple glazing. Double glazed windows
have two glass sheets, with a gap between the sheets, which provides insulation; triple glazed
windows have three sheets instead of two. Contrary to what many people believe, triple glazing
isn’t necessarily the most energy efficient option. Both triple and double glazing increase the
energy efficiency of a home. There are many different kinds of energy-saving windows, in many
kinds of styles and frame materials. How well the window keeps heat from escaping through
them will depend on many factors, such as how much sunlight passes through the glass and how
well it keeps air from leaking in and out. Many window manufacturers rate their products’ energy efficienc
y in a system similar to the Energy Star rating. Windows that have an “A” rating are the most efficient.
Check the window’s energy label prior to purchasing.
Double Glazed Window Benefits
- Lower energy bills. By replacing all the single glazed windows in a home
with double glazed ones, the savings per year in energy costs would average about €150. - Smaller carbon footprint. Since you use less fuel with energy efficient windows, your carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint, or impact, is smaller. CO2 is a gas produced by, among other methods, the burning of fossil fuels for energy. These emissions contribute to climate change. Everyone should strive to keep their carbon footprint as small as possible.
- Greater comfort at home. By using energy-efficient window glazing, less heat is lost through
the windows, and fewer draughts can pass through, causing cold spots. - Less noise. Thicker and better-sealed windows allow less noise pollution to enter the home.
- Less condensation. Better windows have less condensation buildup.
Every home’s individual savings will be different, depending on the window size, type, material, and installation.
Potential Savings
The £135 per year figure is an estimate based on a “typical” home: three bedrooms, semi-detached,
with gas heat. In order to arrive at that number, it is assumed that the regular windows are replaced
with double-glazed, B-rated windows. Individual savings will vary greatly, dependent on the price of
heating fuel, as well as specifics like the size, location, and other details of the home’s construction.
Besides saving money, there is the carbon savings as well, which in this example would be around
680 kilograms of CO2 per year.
Choosing the Correct Replacement Windows for Your Home
Since there are so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to make a decision about the right
windows. To make the process simpler, ask these questions:
What energy rating does the window have?
Check the energy efficiency of a particular window type by looking at its Energy Saving Trust
Recommended logo, as well as the BFRC energy rating label. The EST gives its endorsement to
any window that is rated at a B or higher; the higher this rating, the more efficient it is. While it isn’t
mandatory for manufacturers to put these labels on their windows, those that do label and score well
are the best bets. Choose a window that has a higher rating, so you know you will get your money’s worth.
What kind of glazing do you want/need?
Double glazed windows have an insulating space between their twin layers of about 16 mm.
Triple glazed windows are also available. You can get great energy efficiency with A-rated
double glazed windows and triple glazed models.
Which type of glass?
The best energy efficiency is found in double glazed windows with low emissivity, or Low-E, glass.
These windows feature an invisible metal oxide coating, usually on one of the internal panes, next to
the insulating gap. This coating allows light and heat to enter but reduces the heat that can escape.
What is between the panes?
Extremely energy efficient windows may fill the gaps between the double or triple glass sheets
with an inert gas, such as argon, krypton, or xenon. These provide extra insulation.
What keeps the panes separated?
Double glazed windows feature pane spacers around the inside edges, which keep the glass panes
from touching. More efficient windows have pane spacers that have very little, if no, metal. These are
called “warm edge” pane spacers.
What frame is best?
Select a window frame that suits your particular tastes and your home’s needs. Material is not an
obstacle, since there are energy efficient windows in every material type:
- uPVC is the most common window frame material, because it is long-lasting and recyclable
- Wood frames have less environmental impact, but they need more maintenance
- Aluminium and steel frames have a slim profile and are very enduring, as well as being recyclable
- Composite window frames feature an inner wooden frame that has been covered with plastic or aluminium, which decreases maintenance and weatherproofs the frame
What ventilation is needed?
Due to their airtight seals, replacement windows often cause condensation buildup. Without proper
ventilation, this condensation can accumulate and cause moisture damage to the room. Many energy
efficient windows have trickle vents in their frame, which allows controlled ventilation.
Window Replacement and Maintenance
Double glazed windows can endure two decades and more, so it’s unlikely you’ll need to upgrade your
home’s windows often. This being the case, it’s worth it to install windows that have a top energy rating,
so you get more value out of your purchase. Maintenance of replacement windows isn’t a constant issue,
but it does happen. Sometimes the seal between the two glass sheets might fail, leading too
condensation building up between the panes. When this happens, the glass unit will probably need
to be replaced, but this can frequently be accomplished without having to replace the frame, too.
Just like with installation, only trust a registered installer or one who has been thoroughly checked out through the building control process.
By replacing your home’s old, inefficient windows you will save money and decrease carbon emissions.
It is a good investment because it improves your home’s value, pays for itself shortly, and makes your
home more comfortable. Purchasing double or triple glazed windows with a high energy efficiency rating
is a smart move that helps keep energy costs down and betters the environment.
There are many ways homeowners can save money, such as by reducing energy loss.
If you live in a home that was built after 1920, it probably has exterior walls that are comprised
of two layers, with a small cavity between.
Walls lose about a third of all the heat energy in un-insulated homes; by insulating cavity walls,
you can save about €140 in fuel costs per year. Here is some practical information about cavity
wall insulation that will help you save money and reduce energy consumption, which is better for the environment.
Why Insulate Cavity Walls?
Insulation keeps a home’s temperature steady: in winter, it keeps the warm air inside, and in summer, it keeps the hot air out.
A well-insulated home is more energy efficient, thus saving money on heating and cooling costs. By reducing energy, our consumption of fossil fuels is reduced as well, so there are less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions released into the atmosphere.
Since CO2 is a greenhouse gas, contributing to climate change, it behooves us all to conserve energy and reduce these harmful emissions, such as by insulating a home’s cavity walls. If all UK homes with cavity walls installed insulation, there would be a gross savings of about £690 million per year, as well as almost four million tonnes of CO2. The nice byproduct of this that your energy bills will be lowered, too.
Estimated Savings
The estimated annual saving per year for insulating cavity walls is about €150 (based on a three-bedroom, semi-detached house that uses gas heating), while the estimated cost for installing the insulation is about €320. You can see that the insulation will more than pay for itself in less than three years, and around 560 kilograms of CO2 is saved as well. In order to find out about the grants available to help pay for the installation of cavity wall insulation, see here.
Is Cavity Wall Insulation Appropriate for My Home?
Your home will likely benefit from cavity wall insulation if:
- The exterior walls are unfilled cavity walls
- The masonry or brickwork is in good repair
- The interior cavity is 50mm or more
Homes built in the last decade probably already have insulated cavities.
Those walls which are exposed to heavy rainfall could also be unsuitable.
Always check with a registered installer, who can provide a knowledgeable assessment of whether your home meets the cavity insulation requirements. If your home doesn’t meet the requirements, you could consider solid wall insulation instead, which does have energy-saving benefits as well. Cavity wall insulation is an affordable and easy way to save money, increase the value of your home, and contribute toward the greater well-being of the planet.
The concept of climate change has become a real, present danger,
as evidenced by the major shifts in temperature and weather all over
our planet. Although it is too late to stop it now, it is possible to keep
things for getting worse. One major way to do this is to encourage the
uses of alternative energy sources, instead of using fossil
fuels to power our factories, cars and homes. These
non-renewable, dirty, expensive energy sources can be
replaced by other technologies, such as solar power.
Solar power is produced by using solar panels, which are
essentially conversion and storage devices for capturing solar
energy and turning it into usable electricity. Many people want
to do their part in saving the planet and saving themselves
money on their light bills, too, but they know little about this
important technology. Here are some key factors and concepts
involved in the usage of solar power and panels.
- Cost factors. The cost of a solar panel can vary widely; some people make their own, while others choose to buy pre-made panels and have them installed professionally. How much sunlight a panel can absorb, the efficiency at which it operates, etc., are all factors to consider when trying to save money and the environment. Here are some criteria that should be considered for cost-effective solar power:
- Level of Sunlight: Obviously, the amount of solar power you can use depends on the amount and intensity of sunlight available. If you live in a place that has low levels of sunlight year-round, such as the Pacific Northwest region of the US, you may only get direct, sustained sunlight for a few days per year. This would make installing solar panels not as cost-effective. In order to get the most out of solar panels in places with low sunlight levels, you have to install more panels, and they should be powerful ones with a large energy storage and conversion capacity.
- Size of Your Home: If you live in a smaller home with fewer rooms and appliances, you will find you get more use out of solar panels with a lower output level. Solar panels for a small to medium-sized home will cost anywhere between $500-$16,000, depending on the tech level of the panels. However, if your house is big, exceeding 5,000 square feet, you will have to shell out a significant sum of money, even if you opt for less-expensive solar panels.
- Government Grants: The governments of some cities and states offer grants or tax incentives for installing solar panels. Check into these resources to see if you are eligible and take advantage of them if you are.
- Technological Advances: Solar technology has become much more advanced over the last several years, in terms of overall cost and conversion/storage efficiency. There are also much wider arrays of choices in solar panel options, so you can use this buyer’s market to your advantage, to keep costs down.
- The Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Panels
Since solar power is renewable, safe, and pure, making it one of the most environmentally-friendly energy sources. It is free, but the cost of the panels themselves can be prohibitive in the eyes of many. Here are some pros and cons of solar energy/panels, to help guide your decision-making process whether to go solar or not.
Pros:
- Solar energy is produced by the sun, which makes it “free”—the only cost is to collect and transform it into usable energy. Once you have the panels installed, they can be used indefinitely, and the energy produced is completely free.
- Solar panels require little maintenance once installed, and can work efficiently for years without needing updates or changes.
- Solar panels remain efficient, even long-term: most solar panels will still operate at p to 90% of their original output, even after 20 years!
- Requires no work on your part to manufacture power, no wasting money on electric bills
Cons:
- Large houses need lots of panels to manufacture enough energy to make them cost effective to install.
- Solar energy only is accessible during the day, meaning your panels must also be efficient for storing the energy as well as receiving and converting it.
- All panels will have to be replaced after about 20-30 years; if you installed a bunch of them all at once, they will have to be replaced the same way, which can get very expensive.
Reflect on these issues and determine whether solar panels are a good investment for your home and situation. Although they can be expensive to purchase and install, there are alternatives to pre-manufactured panels. Although they are expensive up-front, they can easily work off the cost of their purchase an installation over the years. Technology is improving every day, but you do have to have some up-front capital to get started going solar. Consider all the options and make the best decision.
Active solar systems are becoming much more common these days. It is no longer unusual to drive past a home or business and see solar panels sitting in the yard or on the roof. Many people are wondering whether these systems are right for their home or business. Here is what you need to know in order to make that decision.
One factor that is not as important as you might think is how much sunlight a home or business receives during the day. Solar systems can store excess power in cells that are essentially large batteries. These provide a continuing source of power at night or during periods of inclement weather. Although you do not need to worry as much about how much sunlight your home or business receives there are some factors that you need to consider.
Where you will position the solar panels
While you may not need to worry as much about how much sunlight your home receives you do need to think about where you will place the solar panels. They can be quite efficient at extracting solar energy but they are still quite large and need an unobstructed area where they will be exposed to sunlight. In many cases this means installing the panels on the roof of a structure. If you have no room for solar panels then this system is not right for you.
Heating water or powering a home
You need to think about whether or not you want your solar system to heat your home or provide a source of electricity. Active solar systems can do either of these things but are not able to do both. This is because there are two types of solar panels. One is a photovoltaic cell that produces an electrical charge. This is then stored in batteries. The other type of panel has tubes that travel through it. They heat up liquid that is in the tubes and which is then used to heat a home or business.
Solar energy can be a fantastic way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature or to reduce the amount of electricity that you must buy. With hot water systems there may still be a need to supplement a home’s hot water supply especially in times when there is a long stretch of cold, inclement weather. In the end, however, using solar power will drastically reduce the amount of energy your home or business uses on a daily basis.
Everyone knows that by decreasing the amount of energy you use in the home, the better it is for your light bill, as well as for the environment. Although you can save a lot of energy by shutting off lights when you’re not using them, choosing the right kind of light bulbs is also a major way to reduce energy consumption. If you replace as few as 15 of the energy-hogging incandescent light bulbs in your home with the newer, more efficient light bulbs, you can save $50 or more every year! There are going to be new lighting standards going into effect n 2012, which can be served by using Energy Star CFL, LED and incandescent light bulbs. But what is the difference between the lighting options, and what are your options?
Old vs. New Light Bulbs
Traditional light bulbs, which are also called incandescent (because they emit light by heating a special wire filament, causing it to emit an incandescent light), use a lot of energy. They use up to 90% of the energy used to power them through heat—ever notice how hot your light bulbs get, and how fast? That is an inefficient use of energy, meaning that around 90% of the money you spend on lighting your home or business with these light bulbs is just tossed out the window! The newer energy-efficient bulbs come in all the colors and light intensities you have become accustomed to, but by using newer technology, they are much cheaper to use in the long run.
Lighting Options
There are three main types of energy-efficient light: incandescent bulbs, CFLs (fluorescents), and LED (Light Emitting Diode). All three options can be found in any hardware or home improvement shop, and all three are much more energy-efficient than their more traditional counterparts. Here is a brief overview of each kind:
- Energy-Efficient Incandescent Bulbs. These look just like to light bulbs you’re used to at home, but they end up saving around 25% over the older models. They work better because the heat energy is contained around the filament by a capsule, instead of allowing it to radiate out and be wasted. They not only use a quarter less energy than the other bulbs, they also last around three times as long, so you save doubly! They come in the wattage and color choices you want and need, and can be used with dimmer switches.
- CFL Bulbs. CFL, or compact fluorescent bulbs, are the spiral-shaped light bulbs you’ve been seeing more and more of lately. They use the same basic technology as you have always known from industrial lighting, but new developments in materials and conductivity have allowed these bulbs to be made appropriate for use in lamps and home light fixtures. They offer a whopping 75% savings over traditional incandescent bulbs, and last ten times as long as a normal old bulb. They are more expensive up-front, but they begin paying for themselves within the first month. They do come in a wide selection of lighting colors, such as warm (white grading into yellow) tones, which were previously not available in fluorescents. Some even have a cover to diffuse the light even more, and giving them a similar shape to the bulbs you’re used to seeing at home, if you don’t like the “curly” bulb’s aesthetics. Not all can be used in dimmer switches, so check the labelling before buying these bulbs for use in a fan or room with a dimmer. Another fact about CFL bulbs: they do have a tiny amount of the toxic liquid metal, mercury, in them, so they must be recycled properly. Check www.epa.gov/cfl for more data about recycling CFL bulbs.
- LED Bulbs. An LED, or Light Emitting Diode, is the same technology as that used on the indicator lights you see on your computers, cell phones, TVs, etc. This isn’t the only way they can be used, though: there are now LED home lighting choices, meaning you can use them in lamps and normal light fixtures! This type of tech is developing rapidly and is one of the most energy-efficient choices around. Energy Star LED bulbs only use about 20-25% of the electricity of normal incandescent bulbs, and they last an amazing 25 times longer! LED bulbs can be used in a lot of items that use 40 or 60-watt bulbs, reflectors in recessed light fixtures, and smaller track lighting systems. Although they are more expensive, you can expect the prices to go down as technology gets more advanced and commonplace. You can really see the difference these light bulbs make on your energy bill at the end of the month, and even at the more expensive price currently, they would more than pay for themselves within a month or less!
When you are planning on making your home greener and cheaper, don’t forget the light bulbs!
In order to remain relevant and profitable due to the ever-rising costs of energy,
it is absolutely essential for businesses to begin enacting more environmentally-conscious
practices. Not only will this reduce the energy bill (and, therefore, increase the bottom line),
it will also have a positive impact on the environment. Adopting eco-friendly, green policies
will permit companies to grow in a tightly competitive global marketplace, as well as driving
them to new heights of technological innovation. Here are some ways that a business can
go green and grow their profit margin, too.
Conserving Energy=Boosted Profit Margins
By choosing to buy energy-efficient office equipment, major and minor appliances,
and energy-saving light fixtures and bulbs, a company can reduce their energy bill and
increase the amount of profit they can retain. These extra profits can then be diverted
into other areas, such as hiring new workers, research and development, and other areas.
Energy Star has a website where a company or individual can calculate how much they might
actually save by implementing these simple steps, using Energy Star-certified appliances.
Dispose of Waste Responsibly
By disposing of their waste/trash properly (in an eco-friendly manner), this protects the
environment overall. Many municipalities offer recycling programs just for businesses,
specializing in paper recycling, as businesses generally produce more waste paper than
anything. This saves trees, which reduce carbon dioxide and make oxygen through their
natural processes, by reducing the amount of trees that need to be cut down to manufacture
new paper. It also allows the company to reap the benefits of not having to pay for a waste
disposal service to deal with their trash. Get in touch with the local waste management
department in your town or city to learn more about their recycling programs and
corporate incentives.
Green Business Practices Increase Technology Development
By pushing to be more ecologically-conscious and conscientious, businesses will ultimately
increase their level of technological advancement. This can be evidenced in many ways;
one of the best examples is in the automotive industry, where car companies are working
hard to implement new fuel-saving and alternate-power technologies. This came out of the
push by society and industry to reduce the consumption of dirty, expensive and
non-renewable fossil fuels.
Going Green Influences Others
When a big corporation makes the commitment to “go green,” they influence their associates
and competitors; business is a cutthroat thing, and no company wants to be out-stripped or
made to look bad in the marketplace. By exerting positive peer pressure on their particular industries,
these companies encourage others to implement earth-friendly policies and procedures, reduce
consumption and waste, and generally get “greener.”
In sum, green business is a responsible business practice—and a profitable one, when done properly!
