Andrew welcomes you to his1960s bungalow, extended and refurbished in 2008.
Modifications:
16 solar pv panels for electricity generation.
25kW log burning boiler stove powering the central heating system.
Air source Heat Pump.
LED lamps throughout
Motivations to make changes:
We wanted to live a low impact life that enhances rather than depletes the environment. If we live a low impact lifestyle then what is important first of all is to be reducing our consumption before finding a technological solution. It's not the way society and the industry are going but it's the only way to tackle the environmental crisis. We have radically reduced our energy consumption through technological features but also through lifestyle choices like living without a freezer or car and only a small fridge.
Approiximate costs:
Solar panels £6,500, ASHP £10,500, boiler stove, £8,000
Approximate energy savings:
Solar panels generates about 5,000 kWh per annum and we use less than 1,000kWh. ASHP not sure yet, in fact we will use more energy than before, but less wood!
Benefits:
Plentiful free hot water from solar panels, lower electricity bills and regular FIT payments and, strangely right now we wonder what the fuss is about energy bills increasing. ASHP enables us to heat our house lightly during the spring and autumn without going to the effort of lighting the boiler stove. Having said that our electricity bills will increase now. Using the boiler stove has enabled us to have no heating bills as we forage fire wood for free.
Next steps:
Go off grid using battery power, but they are so expensive and geared towards people who use a lot of electricity. We considered biomass/pellet boilers but found they need too much space and not as green as we want.
