'Turn homes green' to cut bills
Updated on 29 September 2008
Turning homes into their own "power station" for electricity and heating can deliver energy security, cut bills and reduce carbon emissions, it has been claimed.
With soaring gas and electricity prices, micro-generation technology such as solar panels or wind turbines are becoming increasing popular but are still an expensive investment.
One of the main concerns raised about installing solar panels is the long "payback" time - it takes many years to recoup the money spent on the technology in savings on bills.
But solar panel supplier Solarcentury's executive chairman Jeremy Leggett said: "When you buy a car, when you buy a kitchen, you don't ask what's the payback. It's a better return on your investment than leaving it in the bank, because solar is about more than energy - it's an asset on your roof."
And he said: "What better way to be secure in your energy than turning your building into a power station for your electricity and water heating? And what better way to tackle carbon in the UK?" Including the technology in new builds costs just a small fraction - 1% to 3% - of the total spend, he added.
Two homeowners trying out the benefits of solar in new houses in London are the owner of a self-build zero-carbon house and the resident of a development where the builder included solar panels for electricity generation to meet obligations to cut emissions.
Robin Oliver moved into a development in Putney which already had photovoltaic (PV) solar tiles incorporated into the roof to provide electricity. The system sells its excess electricity to the grid, while importing power when the sun isn't shining.
Mr Oliver, who works for a housing association, said the solar PV roof - which is virtually unnoticeable - meant his electricity bills were around half what they would have been otherwise.
"With the way costs are going up for all types of energy, that's an absolute bonus.
"That's one of the big plusses for this house, that was a real selling point for us."
These news feeds are provided by an independent third party and Channel 4 is not responsible or liable to you for the same.
