Energy meters

Another group of community residents have come to the end of their free electricity monitor period. We have 5 electricity monitors that are very easy to install and show how electricity is being used over the day in our homes. Some of the recent feedback from the residents who’ve had the meters included;

– Halogen lights very energy hungry and expensive,

– Computer screens were using much more electricity than the actual computer,

– The kettle is amazingly expensive, having the electricity monitor also made me realise how often I walked away from the nearly boiled kettle and then re-boiled it a couple of minutes later;

–  The washing machine is also very expensive to run and the monitor really highlighted that – the machine is on its last legs so I will be looking to replace it very soon and will be paying particular attention to the drum size and also the  energy rating.

If you are interested in getting a free monitor for a couple of months, please get in touch with me on 07584 297485

“How To” Case Studies

Over the winter we will be preparing a number of “How To” case studies. These will explain in non technical terms, renewable energy and how to make homes more energy efficient. So if you have thoughts about making 2012 an energy efficient home3 year, keep an eye on the web pages for these guides.

Keeping Warm Over the Winter

Finally, the colder temperatures are well and truly here for  the winter. The Energy Saving Trust has some tips on how to keep warm over the  winter. While some of these sound pretty common sense, how many of us have given them some thought

– Get together – spending more time together over Christmas and New Year watching telly or playing with new presents means not all the rooms in our homes have to be heated to the same temperature. Turning the heating down in rooms we are not using will help reduce the heating bill,

– Exercise – having just spent the afternoon sledging, with my children I can vouch that despite the cold temperatures, exercise for a couple of hours is a good way to keep warm.

– Give your home a draught proofing MOT, checking there are no unwanted cold winds getting into your house,

– Top up the duvet with some blankets on the bed or make sure the duvet is suitable for the colder winter temperatures. A duvet rated 13.5 tog is good for the winter.

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.