Solar Panels, Heat Pumps, Wind Turbines, Rainwater Harvesting Archive

Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Why is my Carbon Footprint Important? Can I reduce it and save money?

Carbon Crazy?

The words 'Carbon Footprint' seem to have been on everything in 2007. In 2008 it's set to get even bigger.

But, ever wondered exactly what it means for you?

What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon that a person, company or household produces in a year. Your home is usually the largest contributor to your carbon footprint, on average it is responsible for over 6 tonnes of Co2 emissions each year.

What are Co2 emissions?

Co2 is a gas called carbon dioxide. It is a green house gas that contributes to global warming and defines your carbon footprint. We are all responsible for Co2 emissions in a number of ways, from the exhaust of your car to the coal power station that generates your electricity.

How can I reduce my Carbon footprint?

There are many things we can all do to minimise our personal impact on the environment. This could be as simple as avoiding long haul flights or improving the insulation in your home. Intelligent Energy Solutions install a range of household Co2 reducing technologies, making it as easy as possible for you to make a big difference.
These systems include
- Solar Panels Water Heating and Solar PhotoVoltaic
- Wind Turbines
- Heat Pumps

I've heard these systems are expensive?

No, the benefits outweigh the cost significantly. Fully installed systems start from around £3000. Grants are also available that will cover up to 50% of the installation cost. Not only will such a system reduce your carbon footprint but it will also cut the cost of your energy bills year after year.

Will the installation create a lot of mess?

Many installations will create no mess and no fuss. The installer often only requires access to your property for a day or two.

Why should I bother?

Energy bills are increasing. By installing a system you can significantly reduce your monthly outgoings. Everyday that passes you waste money by not harnessing the free energy that is around us all.
Global warming is not going to go away. Saving the planet is a key government priority. Environmental taxes are already in place, with more to come.

Who should I contact for advice?

Intelligent Energy Solutions is based in the heart of the Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire. From the East Midlands we cover the whole of central England. We are happy to offer free advice and no obligations quotations. Please Call or e-mail for a chat about your needs.

You can also get additional information about your Carbon Footprint, including a Co2 calculator by visiting our carbon and sustainable energy links page.

Labels: Renewable-Energy

Thursday, 24 January 2008

The truth about Geothermal (Ground Source) Heat Pumps - How do they work? Who can install one?

Geothermal (Ground Source) Heat Pumps, How do they work?

Ground source heat pumps can be used for central heating and hot water in domestic and commercial premises. The system can completely replace your existing boiler and does not normally need any kind of 3rd party back up system.
Among other things, the system uses a compressor, heat exchanger and ground loop to extract heat from the ground around your house. This heat is then transfered around your house using conventional radiators or underfloor heating etc.

Do I need my own natural hot spring!?

One of the many misunderstandings is that the type of system used in the UK does not need the heat that is stored deep inside the earth. The word Geothermal simple mean earth heat. The systems typically used in the UK extract the heat that is collected by the ground from the sun. It utilises the fact the the earth is one large solar collector.

The clever part is that the heat pump is capable of extracting heat that is perhaps 10 degrees C and 'focusing' it to heat water up to 60 degrees C.

The way this works can be described as being the opposite of a fridge, your fridge extracts heat from a box (or your garden) and emits it using a radiator (your home) on the back of the fridge.

How does it do this?

Well, the ground loop contains a glycol solution that is pumped around your garden and slowly increases it's temperature to that of the ground (this is usually between 7 and 12 degrees C all year round). So, the approximately 10 degree C solution then transfers it's heat to a low pressure refrigerant, once the refrigerant has taken on the relatively small temperature increase, the refrigerant is compressed. At this point the amount the refrigerant is compressed dictates how much heat is emitted. The refrigerant is then de-pressurised and pumped back to the heat exchanger to take the 10 degree heat from the ground loop.

If this doesn't make sense, then don't worry. The system is very reliable, needs very little intervention and will last in excess of 20 years, far longer than a conventional boiler.

Who can install a ground source heat pump for me?

Intelligent Energy Solutions are based in Loughborough, Leicestershire and we are happy to discuss your heat pump requirements. If we think that a heat pump is suitable for you then we will be only too pleased to quote for the supply and/or installation.
Please feel free to call on 01509 891256 or e-mail us to discuss your needs.

Ground Source Heat Pump vs Air Source Heat Pump, which is right for me?

Obviously I have talked only about ground source heat pumps but it is also worth mentioning air source heat pumps.
The difference between these systems is that Air Source Heat pumps do not need a ground loop , they extract heat from the air around us. The disadvantage with an air heat pump is that as the ambient temperature outside decreases the air heat pump struggles to extract heat easily. This means that the efficiency decreases.
One other fact of central heating systems is that you need them most when the outside temperature is at it's lowest. This means that Air heat pumps are useful for heating properties that don't have the room or funds for a ground loop or need heat when the ambient temperature is generally higher. This means that air heat pumps along with unglazed solar water panels are very useful for heating swimming pool water.
In summary if you want to heat your home efficiently with electricity, consider a heat pump. If you have a ground source heat pump you will benefit from good efficiency all year round, where the air heat pump will be significantly less efficient in winter.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss your personal situation, we will be happy to help.

Labels: Heat-Pumps

Wednesday, 16 January 2008

What are Solar PhotoVoltaic (PV) Panels? How long to payback?

What are Solar PhotoVoltaic Panels?

These panels cleverly convert the suns light into electricity. The cells are usually made up of layers of a semiconductor called Silicon. When exposed to light a DC electrical charge is generated. When numerous cells are banked together they can produce serious amounts of electricity. These cells can be used to power many electrical devices from calculators to your home appliances. The sunnier the position the more electricity that can be generated.

This often, but not always, means positioning the panels on a south facing roof. If the roof is flat the panels can be mounted on frames that hold the panels at the optimum angle.

When connected to the national grid a property can benefit from reduced electricity bills and can even export electricity to the national grid.

The panels tend to cost somewhere between £5k to £7k per kW.

Are Solar PV panels right for my property?

If specified properly, installing Solar PV WILL reduce your electricty bills. For roof mounted panels, having a south facing roof is useful. However, depending on the roof angle panels can function properly facing South West to South East. They still benefit from 95% of the suns radiation.

The panels can be sized in a number of ways, one method is to geat the capacity to the minimum load on the property, so if the property typically uses 1kW, install 1kW of panels. This means that on the sunniest day every bit of electricity being generated is being used. Alternatively, you can install a much larger capacity and sell the excess electricity back to the national grid. The rates the electricity companies will pay for this electricity is now starting to become more competitive.

Will this type of solar panel pay for itself?

This answer to this question depends heavily on way you measure payback. The environmental payback is extremely quick, perhaps even 6 months? With regard to financial payback the calculation becomes more complex, let's assume the following:-

- Electricity prices continues to rise as they have over recent years.

- The system adds 50% of it's installation cost to your homes value.

- You take a rebate from the electricity company for exporting spare electricity

Given these, not unreasonable, assumptions, a system could payback within 12 years. After 20 years the system would have paid for it's self twice over.

Some companies offer incredibly sort payback periods, be wary of this as their maths is often questionable.

Who will install Solar Panels for me?

Please contact Intelligent Energy Solutions, we will be happy to discuss your requirements in an open and honest manor. Given the fact that we also offer geothermal (ground source) heat pumps, wind turbines and solar water heating panels, we will recommend the most appropriate technology for you.

Believe it or not, if none of our products are viable for your property we WILL tell you!

Labels: Solar-PhotoVoltaic-Electricity-Panels

Wednesday, 9 January 2008

What are Solar Water Heating Panels? Where can I get them?

Confused about Solar?
Many people who call me seem to be a little confused as to how solar panels actually work. My view is that the misunderstanding is perfectly reasonable and stems from the general acceptance of solar panels on things like calculators or garden lamps.
These types of solar panels are called photovoltaic solar panels or PV Solar Panels and I will talk about these in more detail another week.
For now I think I should explain about the panels that people are less familiar with but give the greatest opportunity to reduce household fuel costs. These panels are called Solar Water Heating Panels.

Solar Water Heating Panels
Solar Water Heating Panels use the suns radiation to heat water in panels. This panel is connected to your hot water storage tank. When the temperature in your tank is lower than that of the panel on your roof the water is pumped out of the roof panel through a heating coil in your hot water tank. This heats the water in your storage tank. When is is cold and dull outside the pumps leaves the cold water in the roof panel and your storage tank is heating with your conventional boiler.
This simple but effective system is typically capable of heating up to 70% of your annual requirement for domestic hot water.
Given this fact it is probably the most cost effective and way of installing a renewable energy system in your home.

Where do I get this type of Solar Panels?

Well, thats the easy bit. Contact Intelligent Energy Solutions by phone or e-mail and we will be happy to discuss your requirements and if required arrange a meeting.

I hope you find this blog useful.

Labels: Solar-Water-Heating-Panels

Friday, 4 January 2008

NPower Gas and Electricity Price Rise

Npower has announced that electricity prices for its domestic customers will rise by 12.7%, while gas bills will see a 17.2% increase.
Npower, the UK's fourth-largest energy provider, said it had been "forced to put up prices" because of soaring wholesale energy costs. It said it expected rival energy providers to follow suit with their own price rises "very shortly".
Source: BBC News

Energy Prices are rising so frequently the payback time for renewable energy such as solar panels and wind turbines is becoming shorter and shorter.

Labels: News

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