Energy saving measures boost house prices

Making energy saving improvements to your property could increase its value by 14 per cent on average - and up to 38 per cent in some parts of England - new research released today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) reveals.

For an average home in the country, improving its EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) from band G to E, or from band D to B, could mean adding more than £16,000 to the sale price of the property. In the North East, improved energy efficiency from band G to E could increase this value by over £25,000 and the average home in the North West could see £23,000 added to its value.

The report, which took into account over 300,000 property sales in England between 1995 and 2011, is the most comprehensive research in this area to date. It indicates that energy efficiency is now a key factor influencing the sale price of most residential dwellings in England.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:

“We have long known the benefits of making energy saving improvements to the home, but this study is real evidence of the huge potential rewards. Not only can energy efficient improvements help protect you against rising energy prices, but they can also add real value to your property. This Coalition is committed to helping hardworking families with the cost of living. The Green Deal is designed to do exactly that.

“The Green Deal is helping more people make these types of home improvements, reducing high upfront costs and letting people pay for some the cost through the savings on their bills. The Green Deal is a great option for anyone wanting to improve the look, feel and potentially the value of their home.”

Kevin McCloud, broadcaster and co-founder of the Grand Designs Future Living home retrofit company, said:

“There are some 26 million homes in Britain, most of them about as well insulated as a rabbit hutch, and they need immediate help to be made less wasteful. This timely report tells us what we suspected all along: that people really value the well-insulated, energy-efficient home; that modest investment in measures to make our homes more comfortable, healthier and cheaper-to-run really pays off.

“The Green Deal is now maturing into a helpful way of financing a lot of the retrofit solutions around. Homeowners can now start to make these changes, alleviate the burden of high energy bills and improve the value of their prime asset.”

Nearly half (46 per cent) of properties in England are currently band D – but compared to this, a typical home in the West Midlands in band B is estimated to be valued at nearly £17,000 more. In the North East this could be over £19,000, £3,000 more than the national average.

James Brooks from Brooks Estate Agents said:

“For the majority of the UK we are seeing that there is a new factor dictating a home’s saleability. With fuel bills continuing to rise, buyers are becoming more and more conscious about the energy efficiency of their prospective new homes and are willing to invest more in a property now if they know it will cost them less to run in the future.

“As such, we always try to advise our customers to consider the real S.A.L.E. value – Size, Aesthetics, Location and Efficiency – when buying or selling.”

The Green Deal, the Coalition Government’s flagship energy efficiency initiative to transform the homes of Britain can help people capitalise on these findings. The Green Deal helps households pay for some of the cost of making energy-saving improvements, with the repayments spread out over time and paid back through the electricity bill.

Source : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-saving-measures-boost-house-prices

Energy will be unaffordable in three years

It was depressing reading on my daily commute today – the front page of the Metro (30 May) screamed “Energy will be unaffordable in three years”.  And the body of the article didn’t get any better, starting with “Millions of families will be unable to pay to heat their homes within three years as energy bills soar past the £1,500 barrier”.

uSwitch are estimating that bills could hit £1,582 in three years, and £2,766 by 2018.  These are scary figures!  And I echo uSwitch’s own comments – “Time is running out”.  Now is the time to look at renewable energy, such as Solar PV panels, as a way to reduce your bills.

Recent Department of Energy and Climate Control changes to the Feed-in Tariff, signalled a drop from 21p to 16.8p from 1^st August 2012, and a reduction in the length of the scheme from 25 years to 20 years.  Other changes means that from 1^st August, Freetricity will no longer be able to provide free Solar PV installations to UK households – so, as uSwitch says, “Time is running out”.  Apply now for your free system at www.freetricity.net.  And if you are considering purchasing your own system, and to be sure of an installation before 1^st August, call our team of advisors now on 0203 189 4500.

Freetricity can also help businesses reduce their heating and hot water costs, by providing free Biomass boilers.  Register at www.freeheating.net

Martin Bleazard

Chief Operating Officer, Freetricity

BALANCE

Like the next person I am intolerable to waste, in our household we recycle everything, glass, cans paper, plastic, clothing, shoes, even the food scraps get eaten by the chickens! – don’t get me wrong I’m not suggesting that we all mimic the TV series ‘The Good Life’ but ensuring that we are more sensible with energy is a minimum we should all commit to. Either we need to balance our needs against our usage or create a balance of enjoyment with conservation and sustainability. Hence my reasoning to be involved with a sustainable energy company, in fact it was an opportunity I couldn’t waste!

Maybe it’s partly a keen interest in the environment and partly the sales head rearing inside me – but the balance of FIT redemption against cost of installation is currently heavily in favour of the buyer, and an opportunity that should not be wasted! We awaiting the next potential FIT ‘nail’ in the solar industry on July 1^st this gives the UK Homeowner 30 working days to take advantage of two opportunities in front of them. Firstly the guaranteed 21p rate by buying solar (from £4500!) www.freetricitysales.co.uk  Or secondly, to take up our free solar offer before the rules change! www.freetricity.net

Dave Compton - Sales & Marketing Director. T. 0203 189 4500

Looking ahead

Last week was a bit frustrating with continuing DECC uncertainties, yet It was exciting to be the first company to launch a free biomass boiler offer for schools, leisure facilities, hotels, farms and the like. People who have dithered for months about having a free solar scheme are now complaining that we have to charge £495 for an EPC survey, realising they have missed the boat,  it will only cost them more from 1st July! Why are the Brits so cynical when it comes to evaluating a real 'no brainer deal' then complain when they miss out? Government having announced RHI for resi heat pumps in autumn, then delay to Spring and yesterday delay again to summer 2013, how do they expect businesses to invest and plan? then Camerons famous 'Green Deal' was suddenly bought forward last week from October to August! Could this be to do with needing a good PR spin about creating 25,000 new jobs? conveniently forgetting that 25,000 were destroyed on botched FIT reviews! And, can we be told what the FIT will be from 1st July please? so we can at least plan a few weeks ahead! Even so, what other business sector in the uk offers any better promises than Renewables?

Paul Williams - CEO

Solar Panels Are Attractive

Gone are the days where people flippantly dismiss individuals who choose to 'go green'.  We are no longer in the position to consistently and believably like to ourselves about our blatant mistreatment of Mother Earth in the past century or so.  The choices our ancestors have made as well as the ones we make day to day when choosing to not recycle, or leave the lights on when it is completely unnecessary have left us with the inconvenient imposition of having to actually DO something about the way we consume.  It is from this need that the creation of free solar panels came into being.

One such way that we have decided to get real, is through finding alternative means to create energy, one such avenue is through the use of solar technology, i.e. harnessing the sun's energy through the use of free solar panels as a way to power homes.  Not only does this switch greatly decrease the amount of waste we put out into the world, but it also lowers monthly bills.  Now that, is something that is incredibly sexy.

Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Virtually unlimited power is available from the Earth's nearest star, the Sun.  In only one hour, Earth receives more energy from the sun than the entire world uses via electricity during an entire year. Electricity-producing solar panels have only been around for the last half century, however they have yet to completely transformed how we harness solar energy.  Though many have bought into the idea of using solar panels to subsidize electricity in their homes and properties, it is not shifting on enough of a global scale to dial back the amount of damage done to Earth since the industrial era.  Hence the necessity of free solar panels

How do Photovoltaic Systems Work?

Photovoltaic solar modules (solar panels) are composed of multiple, interconnected solar cells, which essentially trap photon energy (from the sun) between layers of silicon wafers. Negatively charged electrons are then knocked loose from their atoms, allowing them to flow freely through the semiconductors. Separate diodes and P-N junctions prevent reverse currents and reduce loss of power on partially shaded panels.

Solar Photovoltaic Systems (i.e. free solar panels)

1. are reliable, pollution-free, and use a renewable source of energy
2. help preserve the Earth’s finite fossil fuel resources and reduce air pollution.
3. allow home owners to add an energy-producing improvement to their property and over time to recover the cost of the system through reduced electric bills, and thereby added savings
4. makes home owners less vulnerable to future increases in the price of electricity.

Why Solar?

Sο many homes аrе going green thеѕе days using free аnd renewable energy, bυt whether уου аrе building a nеw home οr јυѕt want tο save yourself a lot οf money, turning tο free solar panels  mау bе thе аnѕwеr fοr уου.  Solar panels саn bе fitted tο thе roof οr frοm thе ground; drawing οff thе sun thеѕе thеn offer уουr home free electricity οr heating. Thе аmаzіng thing іѕ a few panels саn easily rυn a two bedroom home, saving уου a fortune οf money іn thе long rυn.

Whіlе уου mау thіnk tο yourself thаt free solar panels are pricy, thеѕе prices аrе reducing, bυt whеn уου weigh up thеѕе costs against thе amount οf money уου саn save each year, thеу pay fοr themselves іn a very short period οf time.

Wіth electricity rates constantly increasing, thеу seem tο bе keeping up wіth petrol prices аt thе moment, уου аrе probably paying a lot οf money each month towards keeping уουr home lit, bυt turning tο free solar panels , once thе initial investment іѕ over, уου wіll ѕtаrt enjoying thе benefits thаt renewable energy hаѕ tο offer.

I thіnk thе bіggеѕt advantage іѕ thаt thе energy іѕ completely free, thе sun heats thе panels whісh іn turn offer уου free electricity, аnd іt doesn’t gеt аnу better thаn thаt.

Things To Consider For Your Home

Location is essential if you want to add free solar panels to your home. In order to determine the correct number of solar panels you must factor in variables like climate, the location of your home, and the total area that you need to generate power for.  Here are some tips you could find useful for your research because they clarify things for this big decision of making the home energy efficient.

1. How much energy does your family consume? You need an average estimate in order to determine the size of the solar system.
2. Find out the number of solar days and the average rainfall specific to your living area. 
3. Find out about the amount of electricity generated by the free solar panels and the technical features of the solar panels.  Evaluate how much power you can make with five hours of exposure per day, and compare these data with the consume you estimate for your family.

Besides the solar panels as such, money will also go into battery banks, inverters and professional installation. For anyone who wants a small air conditioner in one of the rooms, the costs will be even much higher than what we’ve mentioned above.

So far the costs of solar power for homes seem scary because of the initial investment. Such home improvement still remains a perceived ‘luxury’ for millions of people in the UK. However, this is slowly changing.

Know How Solar Energy Works

Knowing how solar energy works at home is a great idea mainly because it can help you when installing the free solar panels and it can even be somewhat very good assuming they ever breakdown and maintenance. Solar panel technology is straightforward to learn and is also basically solar energy that could be caught making use of solar power panels after which it is used as energy in order to power your own home. The solar panels are composed of cells which use plastic to be able to function as conductors of power. This kind of energy is sent to an inverter that’s connected to your own household electric program. This is how the force is actually transported from your solar panel systems to your home. The inverter takes the energy through the sunrays and transmits it in your electronic circuits in which it can be used using your power outlets. More often than not, this unique energy will likely be put to use as 120 volts of energy source.

Having a solar powered house is a good solution to keep your natural environment environment friendly whilst improving the pollution concentrations yet one concern that is definitely usually asked is how you can make use of solar power to be able to power your home during the night or for the duration of dark days. The wonderful thing about solar rooftop panels is simply because they will normally have a type of battery unless of course you caused it to be by yourself and did not involve one. This unique battery can take any leftover power which often hasn’t been utilized in daytime and it gets stashed later. This provides power on non-sunny days and also at night time. To increase this kind of accumulation for winter time are if you call for a lot of power when asleep, you just have to add additional batteries on your free solar panels

Using free solar panels for the home as an energy source is often equally effective for your home as applying mainstream forms of energy. Now that you’ve realized the way the solar panels transform the sun’s rays into energy, you must recognize that by making use of several solar panels, it will be possible to obtain additional electricity. In fact, some people opt to set up numerous solar panels with plenty of battery packs for keeping this kind of energy. By just stocking the energy in lots of batteries, all of these homes usually stays run throughout a complete winter weather. This makes it possible to power homes by using solar panels irrespective of how warm your own region is just as long as you have ample gear to store the power while it’s being taken.

Learning how to install your own solar panels is very important now that you know what precisely you will need so as to keep your home driven regularly, you have to have no worries using solar power as your energy source. Having ample batteries to store the extra electricity is significant and you just need to point the solar panels in the route that has the most sun during the day. Following these rules can get your house powered by the sunlight before you know it.

Solar Panels: How they work

Thinking about Free Solar Panels and if they really will help you radically cut back your home’s electrical bills?  Today’s diverse economy forces people to look for alternative routes to power their homes and commercial buildings.  People  bring their electrical bills to nearly zero after they have solar energy panels put in. Probably one of the things that stopped you from doing the same for your office or home is the indisputable fact that you do not know how solar panels work and if they can really supply the power you need.

In brief, Free Solar Panels capture sun radiation and convert their energy into electrical power. Generally speaking, on a clear bright day there are around 1000 watts of solar energy hitting each square meter of globe’s surface area. Therefore it’s all a subject of catching that energy and changing it into electrical power.

So as to figure out how solar panels function, we need to see how pv cells work. Solar panels are usually made from silicone and other high technology substances. Each solar energy panel is comprised of a number of solar cells and the solar cells are the parts that actually catch daylight and convert it into electrical energy.

The systematic explanation of this process is quite complicated, but if we clarify things a little it would not be hard for anybody to comprehend how solar panels operate.

The way solar panels operate is typically matched against the way a p-n junction diodes function. Daylight contains particles named photons. When they hit the outer surface of the photovoltaic power cells, they in fact annoy the normal motion of electrons. Once an electron is released from its regular orbit, it is easily pulled by the electric field of the solar cell. All that electrons that are pulled by the solar cell form a directional current from which electricity is at last produced.

It is plain that the more daylight there is, the more electric energy will be made. Also, the more photovoltaic cells there are in a solar energy panel, the more capacity the panel will have.

Of course, all of the above is merely a very basic explanation about how solar panels work and how favourable they can be for your office or home. An excellent resource to learn more is Howworksolarpanels.com. I learned this website has great info for individuals that are seeking to set up solar cells and for those, looking for ways to increase the potency of the solar panels they have.

Solar Tech

One of the most popular sources of green energy is solar. Generating solar power is one of the cleanest avenues from which to power a home.  This form of  green technology is becoming popular in countries all over the world regardless of the weather.  People are now using Free Solar Panels to harness energy to power their properties. 

Solar panels convert sunlight into a very clean form of electricity that can be used to power homes. Each PV cell in a solar panel consists of a negative and positive slice of silicon placed under a thin layer of glass. As the sunlight hits the silicon neutrons are released. These negatively charged neutrons are attracted to the positive silicon but are trapped by a magnetic field formed inside the cell. Wires placed inside the cell catch the neutrons and transfer them into electricity.

This electricity of Free Solar Panels directs currents though and must be converted into alternating current using an inverter. The inverter isn’t completely efficient and around 5% of the electricity will be lost, however the remaining 95% can be used to directly power appliances in our homes.

Thanks to technological advancements, solar panels are now being used to power a number of elements in a home. Heating is the most common use of solar panel electricity, commonly being used to provide hot water for a home, heat a pool or power a central heating system. With larger homes that can implement a large number of solar panels there is the option to connect to the electricity grid and sell surplus electricity back to the grid.

Using the Sun's Energy

When we look at the sun we see a bright glowing ball of gas, this is the energy source heats our atmosphere, and when used correctly can be the main source of energy for your home.  Free Solar Panels are quickly becoming the most renewable ways to capture energy which can sustain a home. 

The energy that is supplied by Free Solar Panels is proven to be the cleanest and most effective power in use. It is limitless (predictable) and does not have a negative impact on the economy-- with the continued use of solar energy it is quite possible that there are long term positive economic effects. 

The location of your system sections will determine the Free Solar Panels output. For maximum output, they should be placed in a setting where they will receive sunlight throughout the entire day. The ideal spot is on top of a home.  Even on the most cloudy days this system will collect energy-- the technology is incredible. Choosing to invest in solar panels will save you money. It allows homeowners to choose to invest in other aspects of their family, and property; all while helping maintain a better and healthier environment.  Many governments subsidize and or provide tax deductions for those of us who choose to use solar. The best part of using these modules is that they will last decades with little to no maintenance.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012 Solar Panels Add Value

It is no mystery that with the use of solar energy we have the potential to positively impact our planet, and yes of course monthly billing costs will inevitably go down, but what many do not consider is how the placement of Free Solar Panels might actually increase the value of your property.

Some property owners are concerned that Free Solar Panels will actually detract from the natural beautify of one's property, depending on one's preference it is possible to tastefully construct and mount one's solar panels without taking away from the beauty of one's home.  There are a number of different ways to mount solar systems.  The homeowner just needs to decide how much of an alteration one is willing to make on his/her property.

Often times solar panels are viewed as a property enhancement rather than detracting from the physical value of one's home.  As more and more property owners switch from the standard form of electricity to harnessing solar energy, the use of Free Solar Panels is becoming more and more socially acceptable.

Reasons To Use Solar Panels

Have you ever taken the time to research the benefits of solar energy?  Ever thought about installing free solar panels in your house? A lot of people are switching to solar energy use for a number of different reasons. If you are aware of  these reasons, you will quickly see why making use of solar power through solar panels in your home is not only a wonderful idea, but intelligent idea. Below are the top four reasons as to why so many households are switching to free solar panels for electricity.  

1. Lower Costs:  Solar power panels should be used in your home is because they will reduce your electric bill as you will be using less electricity from the power company. Every time you and your family plugs something into an electrical outlet, you are increasing the amount of power you need.  Solar power replaces that which you get from the utility company by converting solar energy into electricity which, inevitably lower your bill.
2. Efficiency:  Solar power panels are incredibly more efficient than other power sources. When using solar energy in your home can help you reduce energy use from other energy sources significantly.  Depending on the number of  free solar panels you choose to install in your home, you can replace traditional energy consumption with solar energy by over 50%!  Instead of getting your electricity from a power company, you obtain power from the solar energy. With this energy source, you have the potential to get all the power you need.
3. Positive Impact on the Environment:  Solar energy helps protect the environment, simply because it does not produce as much waste as other forms of energy. It is the perfect way for a home/property to go green, and help others around you do the same. Since solar power panels do not give off toxic pollutants, then using them reduces air pollution. Instead of aiding in the planet’s destruction, you can have a positive effect on it by living in a solar powered home.
4. Convenient Location:  One aspect of using solar power panels is the ease of placement. These panels can be located practically anywhere, just as long as they have clear access to a large amount of sunlight, i.e. your rooftop.

Consider switching to solar energy use-- you are not only helping yourself and your family, but your community and environment!

Through switching to a solar panel system, you can not only lower your utility costs while paying no cost for free solar panels and installation.

Solar power has the capacity to greatly lower your electrical costs, and thereby save you and your family a significant amount of money.  Considering the rising cost of living, there truly has never been a better time to switch to free solar panels. Today, it is possible to install solar equipment with no cost for the panels and installation. In the past, the high cost of solar power panels in addition to installation fees was the main reason many families chose to stay away from solar energy use.  However, fortunately, there are government subsidized programs encouraging homeowners to purchase solar energy.  Governments realize the significance in investing in green technologies for the betterment of not only the environment, but also through helping their citizens spend less. 

Solar panels otherwise known as photovoltaic panels, are made from materials that allow the panels to convert the sun's rays into electrical energy, which families can then use to power their properties.  As the use of fossil fuel continues to rise and become more and more expensive and very harmful to the environment, the use of solar technologies such as free solar panels is a viable alternative power source.

Active Solar Energy

Active Solar

Solar energy, is what sustains life on Earth, through a combination of powerful light and warmth from the sun.  All ecosystems on Earth and dependent on the consistent presence of Solar Energy.  With solar energy technologies such asFree Solar Panels people are better able to take advantage of the most prevalent source of power available to the Earth.  Such a transition has the potential to make considerable contributions to amending some of the most urgent environmental and economic issues facing the Earth today.

The process through which solar energy is captured is characterized as either passive solar or active solar.  For example, Free Solar Panels are defined as active solar, because it is specifically designed to hone in on the energy of the sun.  Whereas passive solar energy can be as ‘simple’ as constructing a building in such a manner as to maximize use of the sun’s energy.    

Below is an example of what  Free Solar Panels look like:

What is defined as solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, which has evolved to be a compulsory element of day-to-day life for a large portion of human beings.  Electricity is from the sun is collected either directly through the use of Photovoltaics, or indirectly through Concentrated Solar Power.  This system uses reflective surfaces and lenses, and tracking systems to zero in on a substantial area of sunlight into a small beam of light.  Whereas the Photovoltaics system converts sun energy into an electrical current, which is what is seen in Free Solar Panels.

Use Solar Panels

Today we are inundated with a number of competing technologies that exist to sustain our homes, cars, and a number of devices that we need to function.  The sources of power for all these necessities is often times more expensive then one would hope, often bordering on inefficient, while also being a source of anxiety and stress, especially during the Holiday season.  Our most used sources of power, such as fossil fuels have a timeline with a clear end in sight based on how little of this resource is left to use at the volume at which it is consumed.  With fluctuating prices, and a level of uncertainty as it pertains to amount available, it is imperative to accustom ourselves to another source of energy.  Not to mention, the breadth of negative side effects the use of fossil fuels has on the delicate ecosystems in our environment.  With the use of Free Solar Panels we tap into a resource that is consistently available, without the fear of any long-term negative effects on our planet.

Sunlight is the Earth’s primary source of energy.  All of the planet’s systems function as a result of the energy produced by the sun.  Solar energy itself is free; the cost is with the tools necessary to harness this power source.  Solar Panels are composed of material that creates electrical currents, i.e. voltage, which then generates solar power, otherwise known as electricity.  Since an individual panel does not necessarily produce and convert enough electricity to power an entire home, multiple panels are installed, the amount added dependent on the size of the property.  By installing Free Solar Panels we are able to generate and supply electricity to entire homes, while simultaneously spending less to maintain current qualities of life.  

We are not only reducing costs for our homes, but also supporting the development and implementation of sustainable and affordable technologies both in our communities and our local governments.  Electricity powered by solar energy is most economically efficient because it reduces the amount of energy your home would otherwise use from an established local electrical grid.  On a global scale, the use of Free Solar Panels will significantly reduce pollution worldwide, maintain or potentially lower fossil fuel prices to a more reasonable rate, while educating people worldwide on the benefits of solar energy.  Such actions will create a healthier world with, ultimately healthier people.

Designing the new plans

I am Delfin Alvarez, one of the Architects working for Freetricity. I design the plans for your incredible opportunity of having a free solar installation on your home or company and my planning team uses my designs in aid of obtaining planning permission from your local authority.

Solar PV is a popular, attractive and durable energy solution. They can be installed on most roof styles and materials, including metals. Not many people realise that the solar modules actually protect your roof from the weather and extend its life.

The most important part of the design is deciding how we can maximise the number of panels and locate them at an angle where the sun shines the most. Nothing should obstruct the solar panel from receiving sunlight, even if it is just a small shadow. So the layout and number of the arrays is crucial, because the more sunlight that hits them, the more electricity they produce for you to use for free. Below is an example of what an ideal proposal might look like:

Above: pitched roof (church)

Above: flat roof (office)

As you can see, we take great care in developing the best design bespoke to your property. This is the reason why you can rest assured that we are providing you with the largest amount of renewable energy possible. Not only that, but our professional drawings prepare us to install as quickly and effectively as can be when we arrive.

Research shows that solar energy is the past, present and future. One recent discovery was even made by a child, Aidan Dwyer, who at the age of 13 found that an oak tree’s Fibonacci pattern allowed 50% more sunlight to be collected than the ordinary pattern of solar installations. It is through our learning of nature’s design that we can discover better ways to harness all this wonderful energy provided by the sun, because if the trees are doing this then why can’t we?

We are facing a new era of green technology and we don’t want to leave anyone behind, so book your installation today!