A case study by the Basingstoke and Deane Green Team
Our Green Team caught up with with Laura and Bruce after their home energy survey a few months ago… Here’s what they had to say.
How did you first hear about the home energy surveys?
We actually came across them through the council’s Your Place newsletters. We signed up a while back and when we saw the information about the Green Teams home energy surveys, it caught our attention immediately.
What made you decide to get a survey?
It was mostly for environmental reasons. Saving money is a nice bonus, of course, but that wasn’t really the point for us. We wanted to reduce our impact as much as we could.
Solar panels, barely visible on the garage roof
Had you already made changes to your home’s energy efficiency before the survey?
Yes. Our home was originally a 1950s bungalow that’s been renovated and extended over the years. We’d already replaced the windows, installed a new boiler, added loft insulation and gradually swapped old bulbs for LEDs whenever they failed.
How did you find the survey itself?
Honestly, it was pleasant and quite useful. It felt like a relaxed, engaging chat. The advisor was friendly and the experience really helped us to think through what else we could do.
What did you decide to do after the survey?
We were already toying with the idea of getting solar panels – our friends had been nagging us for ages!
The survey gave us the nudge we needed. Not long afterwards, we spotted a group buying scheme for solar panels and decided to go for it.
We had eight panels installed on our garage roof. They generate up to four kilowatts at their peak, still produce energy even on cloudy days and can barely be seen from the road. We also had two five-kilowatt batteries fitted.
The thermal imaging camera used during the survey also revealed a gap in the frame of the door that leads into the garage. Fixing it with draught proofing strips has made our utility room and kitchen noticeably warmer.
Two five-kilowatt batteries (in grey), below the inverter unit (in white) that converts the electricity from the solar panels into a form Laura and Bruce’s home can use.
How are you finding the solar panels and batteries now?
They’re performing really well. In the summer months last year, we pretty much only paid the standing charge for electricity. The panels generated everything we needed.
We absolutely love the batteries. Any electricity the panels produce but we don’t immediately use is stored and then powers our home for hours after sunset.
We estimate we’re saving around £100 a month on our electricity bills on average and, overall, the panels have roughly halved our bill. They even help heat some of our water. And given our boiler would usually do that, the panels are helping to cut the gas bill too.
The new solar panels on the garage roof.
Last question… Have you made any other energy saving changes?
We already knew quite a few energy saving habits and were doing those, but the survey did encourage us to pay more attention to the energy ratings of new appliances. We’re much more conscious of that now.
The advisor also mentioned the possibility of installing a heat pump and looking at cavity wall insulation. Those are both things we’re now considering.
Interested in a free home energy survey?
Ring our Green Team on 01256 845 777 or email [email protected]