Energy efficiency improvements are one of the most effective ways to save money on energy bills, with the rising energy costs now is the time to to start thinking about how you can start your renewable energy journey.
To help improve energy efficiency in your property, there are a key improvement that you can do, these include;
Solar Energy
Battery Storage Systems
Renewable Heating
Thermostatic radiator valves and smart controls
Invest in double glazing
Stop drafts from coming into your home
Insulate the home
Campbell Electrical and Renewables are certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and members of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) providing the highest standard and excellent customer service for your renewable energy project.
Solar Energy
Solar PV is the conversion of sunlight into electricity using a photovoltaic (PV) module. It's one of the most popular ways to harness renewable energy, and it's also one of the most cost-efficient.
Solar PV is a great example of how renewable energy can help with energy efficiency. Here's why:
It reduces your need for fossil fuels. When you use solar power instead of electricity from fossil fuels, you're reducing the amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere. That's good for both the environment and your wallet, as fossil fuels are expensive to buy and can cause air pollution.
It makes your property more efficient.
You'll save money on your monthly bills because solar panels generate electricity when you need it most — during peak hours when rates are highest. So if you have solar panels installed on your home, expect your utility bill to be lower than average throughout the year.
Here at Campbells, we can provide solar panels and install them from £3,999*, which although may seem like a lot, will tend to pay back in seven years. You can also increase the payback and add battery storage to your solar P.V. array. Energy monitoring systems are provided with every installation: allowing you to keep track of the energy produced, money saved and the reduction in your carbon footprint.
Battery Storage Systems
Battery storage systems are a way to store energy in the form of electricity. This is done by using rechargeable batteries that can be charged during times of low demand and discharged during times of high demand.
Battery storage systems can be used to manage a home's energy needs, such as keeping lights on when the sun goes down or powering an electric car. Battery storage systems are also commonly used to store power generated by solar panels so it can be used later, even if there's no sun. Using these alongside a solar system can save you a lot of money in the long run, as well as being much kinder to the planet.
You can see more about our systems here
Renewable Heating
This is the use of solar panels to heat up the water in your home as opposed to using fossil fuels. We can do this by using an immersion controller like an iBoost or Eddi to divert any excess energy from the solar systems to your electric heating, water heater and towel rail. A bonus to this method is that it can be used during the ‘off peak rate’ to heat your water for much cheaper.
Thermostatic Radiator Valves and Smart Controls
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) and smart controls are used to control the temperature of a room by regulating the flow of hot water through your radiators. By adjusting these controls, you can reduce the amount of energy you use to heat your home.
Thermostatic radiator valves work by automatically turning on and off at set temperatures. Smart controls allow you to set different temperatures for each room in your house—you could have one at 22°C for use when you're out during the day, then lower it down when everyone's home from school/work so that it's nice and cosy without wasting energy heating unnecessary empty space!
Campbell partner with a range of home automation solutions to suit every budget, such as Loxone, Rako, Lutron, UniFi, HIKVISION. Home automation allows you to control almost every aspect of your home through the Internet of Things (IoT). Campbells have the expertise and experience to design and install simple to use solutions that enhance homes, businesses and lifestyles.
Do your windows let in too much cold air?
Windows can be the cause of major loss of heat during winter months therefore, to keep your home heated, you’ll be spending more money having the heating on. Therefore it’s a vital to make sure you can do simple things like keeping windows closed for the most part, having thick curtains, and the most effective, yet most costly - insulating your windows.
To insulate your windows:
Invest in double glazing
Double glazing is a great way to reduce heat loss and boost your home's insulation. It works by having two glass panes, which then provides a seal, which acts as insulation to keep the warmth in as well as reducing condensation.
Stop drafts from coming into your home.
Draft excluders are an easy way to keep your home warm and energy efficient. They are a thin rubber strip that fits between the door frame and the bottom of the door, preventing air from escaping when you open or close it.
While draft excluders may be more difficult to install than heavier curtains, they provide similar results at a fraction of the cost and can be taken down easily during summer months.
When installing draft excluders, take care not to obstruct any handles or locks on your doors in order to avoid unnecessary strain on them during use.
Insulate the floor of your home
Insulating the floor is a good investment because it can help to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency. It's also worth doing yourself, as you'll save money on labour costs. There are many types of floor insulation available, so see what works best for your property and budget. You may find that it makes sense to insulate your floors in stages—for example, by installing underfloor heating or using loft insulation first before adding wall insulation later.
Conclusion
In the end, it's worth it to invest in energy efficiency. The cost of making your property more efficient is usually less than the amount you'll save on heating bills in just a few years. And with all these tips and advice, you can start saving money. Get in touch with Campbell today to learn more about how we can help increase your property energy efficiency.
