Find out how some local residents have engaged with the renewable energy revolution and fitted microgeneration equipment in their own homes.  Read about their experience and thoughts on the process.  And if you are interested in installing renewable energy in your home, don’t forget you can get a free, impartial and no obligation visit from a Government funded advisor. They can discuss the best options for your home and requirements.  To arrange an appointment call 0800 512 012

Find the case studies at our Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon Programme pages at the local information section.

Renewable Energy fair

At the end of October the Kirkhill Primary School hosted a Renewable Energy fair, supported with the Climate Challenge Funding. Several local organisations attended: Inverness College which has established Scotland’s first renewable energy training centre, Highland Birchwoods, a local charity encouraging the uptake of wood fuel systems and local firms AVC Energy, Begetube and Black
Isle Renewables. Staff from the local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre were also present and several community residents booked up free, impartial home visits to discuss which renewable energy systems would be most appropriate. We are grateful for these businesses and organisations making the time to attend. Senior pupils at the school have been working on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and some of their work was also on display at the Fair.

 Community Case Studies

As interest in renewable energy grows, there are an increasing number of community residents installing systems in their homes. For
some residents this has involved fitting new renewable energy systems to replace older electric or oil/LPG heating.  For others it involves fitting renewable energy systems in their newly built house.  As building standards and energy prices rise, an increasing number of newly built houses are incorporating renewable energy systems as part of the heating mix. Several residents were happy to discuss experiences with their renewable energy systems so we have prepared a suite of case studies that highlight the pros and cons,
what went well and what didn’t.  We hope these are of interest and use.

 Solar Panels

Over the last year or so, I’ve received numerous flyers from companies offering to fit solar panels on my roof. By receiving a payment from the big energy companies for every unit of electricity produced by the panels, homeowners were getting some support to offset high purchase costs. The additional payments, added onto the reduced energy bills, meant the new solar systems were paid off in a reasonable period of time. Revisions to the support programme have now halved the payments received by homeowners installing any system after Dec 2011. If you are thinking about a solar PV system, a very simple calculator that lets you see the benefits.

 Extra £400k pumped into Scottish home insulation scheme

An additional £400,000 is to be allocated into the Scottish government’s Universal Home Insulation (UHIS) loan fund to help more
homeowners lower their energy bills and reduce emissions. Already £12.5 million has been invested in the scheme in September and the boost will see more households given interest free loans for extensive energy efficiency upgrades like renewable energy systems and new condensing boilers. It is also hoped that the additional funds will prevent more Scots from entering fuel poverty.

Free home insulation and other benefits

If you own or rent your home privately, receive benefits or are aged 70 or over, then your insulation might be free. And even if you don’t own your own home, you could get other money saving offers through the Energy Assistance Package. The local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre in Inverness can check if you might be entitled to discounted energy rates and extra benefits. If so, they can help you to get them.

The Scottish Government’s Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS) may also offer you free loft and cavity wall insulation, depending on where you live. To find out if you live in a UHIS area and what UHIS can offer you, call the free phone Home Energy Hotline on 0800 512 012.

Scotland plans 30% renewables target by 2020

The Scottish government has announced revised renewable energy targets, pledging to meet 30 per cent of energy demand from renewables by 2020. Plans will also hope to deliver 500MW of community-owned renewable energy by this date.

A new “Renewables Routemap”, outlines how the country can meet the targets and capitalise on the economic potential of Scotland’s green
energy capacity. Previously, Scotland had planned to meet a 20 per cent renewables target by 2020, a goal that it was on track to succeed. New targets will also see the nation generate 11 per cent of heat from renewables by the end of the decade. This could be an interesting alternative to the oil and LPG heating many of us rely on in rural areas.

If you are interested in renewable energy for your home, come along to Kirkhill primary school on the 29^th October when we will have renewable energy suppliers and installers on hand to answers your questions about suitable kit.

Nearly a quarter of UK households in fuel poverty

Research published in July revealed almost one-quarter of UK households are now classed as being in fuel poverty. It reveals that 6.3 million homes in the UK now struggle to pay their energy bills signalling that fuel poverty is no longer an issue just for lower income households.

Fuel poverty is classified as households having to pay more than ten per cent of their income towards energy bills. There are 2 ways a household can protect themselves from fuel poverty – pay the lowest possible energy prices and learning how to use less of it.

Home Energy Checks.

A simple way to find out how you can make your home more energy efficient and if you will qualify for subsidised or free insulation tops ups is to complete a Home Energy Check. These are a very simple, user friendly list of questions supplied by the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre, a Government funded team. There is a local office in Inverness which supports our Programme and they are happy to chat with residents and provide advice and information as well as the Home Energy Checks. The office can be contacted on the following free phone
number 0800 512 012.

To help raise awareness of energy efficiency issues we will be producing these monthly updates with some short snippets of helpful information.

Energy prices on the rise again.

If you have been following the news this month, I am sure you will have noticed how one of the large energy companies announced significant price rises. Annual gas bills will increase 19% with electricity prices rising 10%. These increases will be introduced in the autumn. There are 6 main energy suppliers in the UK and the usual practice is for one to raise prices, with the others following a short while after. Being aware of the different prices or tariffs offered by the energy suppliers and switching between them is one way to reduce energy bills and free up some money for energy efficiency activity in your home. With a reputed 300 tariffs available from the energy suppliers, making use of price comparison web sites are invaluable.

First community electricity monitor volunteers.

Five families in the Kirkhill and Bunchrew area have received their free monitors to help raise awareness of how electricity is used in their homes. Easy to install, these monitors show how many units of electricity are being used throughout the day and the subsequent cost. Volunteers will be reporting back on some of the changes they have made as a result of using the monitors. The monitors are supplied free for a three month period, if you would like one please give Archie a ring on 07584 297485.

Home Energy Checks.

A simple way to find out how you can make your home more energy efficient and if you will qualify for subsidised or free insulation tops ups is to complete a Home Energy Check.  These are a very simple, user friendly list of questions supplied by the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre, a Government funded team. There is a local office in Inverness who supports our Programme and they are happy to chat with residents and provide advice and information as well as the Home Energy Checks.  The office can be contacted on the following free phone number 0800 512 012

Renewable Energy Fair – Date for your Diary.

We will be organising a renewable energy fair on the 29^th October to help raise awareness of renewable energy and low carbon heating solutions. Chris Ford, the head teacher of Kirkhill Primary School has kindly offered room in the school. Local renewable energy kit suppliers are being invited to attend and we hope to have a range of speakers to answer queries on domestic renewable energy systems.

More popular than a wedding in St Andrews, the local talent fest is nearly here again. Find out more under the local information button.