The time to look to renewables is when your house is humming away efficiently
Where to start
Households use energy as electricity and heat, and renewable systems can generate one or the other in varying quantities. The trick is to tailor your selection to the type of energy you can use, your immediate context and the weather.
Heating
BIOMASS
Burning wood for heat is not a new idea but the process is now more efficient. Logs are readily available in rural areas. Wood pellets made from compressed sawdust are burned by boilers with an automated fuel supply. Appropriate for rural homes with plenty of storage space.
Pro Relatively cheap, reliable and effective. Practically carbon neutral.
Con Needs periodic de-ashing and regular fuel deliveries.
Installation Cost £2,500 for stand alone stove; £6,000 for pellet boiler.
Suppliers
Charnwood (01983 537 777; charnwood.com)
Bioenergy (01825 890 140; bioenergy.com)
Running cost Approximately 3.5 tonnes of pellets are needed per year, which cost around £100 per delivered tonne (£350 per year).
Solar thermal hot water
Don't believe that it isn't sunny in the UK - this system can provide 40 per cent of your annual hot water needs, paying for itself in less than 20 years. The sun's energy is captured with roof-mounted panels and used to heat water. Suitable for houses with three square metres of south/south-east/south-west facing roof area.
Pro Proven performance and low maintenance
Con Needs the right location. Is compatible with most boilers systems except combination boilers
Suppliers
Consolar UK (0845 223 5440; consolar.co.uk)
Thermomax (028 9127 0411; thermomax-group.com)
Installation cost £2,500
 Ground source heat pump
In simple terms, heat pumps move energy from pipes laid in the ground into your house, driven by electricity. Technically speaking then, it isn't a renewable technology but for one unit of energy you put in, you might get up to three or four units out. What is ‘free' is sometimes called renewable energy.
Pro Reliable, 25-year life expectancy.
Con Best suited to new-build. Most efficient producing low temperature water, ideal for underfloor heating. Less suitable for large hot water demands. Ample land is usually needed for laying pipes but small systems can sit under new-builds.
Equipment suppliers
Viessmann (01952 675 060; viessmann.co.uk)
Installers Geothermal International (024 7667 3131; geoheat.co.uk)
Installation cost £7,000 for 5kW heat output.
Electricity
Wind turbines
Wind turbines generate electricity from the wind. They plug into your electricity system and supply your appliances when the wind blows. Output is highly dependent on wind speed, turbine location and local obstacles (buildings or tall trees). Pro Generates electricity and is easy to install. Con The output is site dependent. Better suited to non-urban sites. Annual maintenance is required.
Suppliers
FuturEnergy (01789 450 005; FuturEnergy.co.uk)
Proven Energy (01560 485 570; provenenergy.co.uk);
Swift Turbine (0131 535 3301; renewabledevices.com)
Cost: Can be purchased from FuturEnergy for a starting price of under £900
Photovoltaics
Photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. They plug into your electricity system and supply your appliances during the day. Suits homes with a south-facing roof.
Pro Quiet, low maintenance and sexy. Will impress the neighbours.
Con Expensive for not much energy. Unlikely to pay back within lifetime.
Suppliers
Dulas (01654 705 000; dulas.org.uk);
Ecosol (020 8439 7097; ecosoluk.com)
Cost: £5,000 will give 1.5 kW and cover approximately 8 sqm.
Words: Adam Ritchie
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