[amyjones]

Hey there !!


How should growing energy costs be handled? Any suggestions on how to reduce electricity costs? I just requested bids for installing solar panels from Warma UK, an installer of solar panels. They said that I am qualified for a free grant under the ECO scheme to instal a solar panel. Installing a solar panel to reduce your electric bill is it really worth it? Has anyone ever done it? I'm curious what you think about it.

Thank you in advance😊

[Marc]

Hi @amyjones
Fantastic idea! Yes, I do have solar panels. It's probably stating the obvious, but yes when the sun's out you'll save loads.
Are you looking to get a battery at the same time?

[amyjones]

@Marc Yeah I'm looking to get a battery at the same time

[Marc]

Originally Posted by amyjones

@Marc Yeah I'm looking to get a battery at the same time

Excellent, that'll mean you can save your energy and it'll last into the evening/night. Depending on battery size, during the summer you can usually get through the night too, and then the next day when the sun comes out it recharges all over again.
In the summer months we're about 85% autonomous. Over the year it seems to balance out to about 48% autonomous.
And if you've got a smart meter as well as your storage battery, you can also get paid to export unwanted electricity back to the grid - though the unit rate is pittance.

Hope this helps? Solar + battery storage is brilliant. Of course it doesn't solve the reliance on gas, alas....

[Annlodge]

Hi

I'm new to this forum..I need some advice regarding home insulation. Due to the increasing energy bills, we have decided to insulate our home. But i have no idea about how much it cost. Does it actually helps to reduce the energy bill? Anyone have had it before. One of my friend said there are insulation grants in here so that we can done it for free.. Is that true? Any idea about that...Really appreciate any suggestion regarding it. Thanks in advance...

[Marc]

Welcome to the community @Annlodge 🙂
Just to let you know I've merged your post into this existing thread started by @amyjones as the subject matter is so similar 👍

[Annlodge]

Thankyou @Marc

[amyjones]

Hi Ann

I'm also looking for ways to reduce energy bills...and got quote from a solar panel installer recently. I applied for the solar panel installation grant and it is still on process now..I'm not sure you are eligible for ECO grant, If so you can save a lot of money for installation.

[Annlodge]

Originally Posted by amyjones

Hi Ann

I'm also looking for ways to reduce energy bills...and got quote from a solar panel installer recently. I applied for the solar panel installation grant and it is still on process now..I'm not sure you are eligible for ECO grant, If so you can save a lot of money for installation.

Hi Amy,

Thankyou so much for sharing it...Will definetly have a look on it...Do you have any idea about how long the application process take?

[Rolebama]

As to reducing energy bills, mine arrived today. From Nov to 10 Feb we have reduced our usage of gas and electricity by around 30%, and I believe that could be improved upon.

[Drivingforfun]

My provider runs "energy saving sessions" usually for an hour once or twice a week. They pay around £2.50 per KWH of electricity that you don’t use compared to your average. On top of that you of course save the money that the energy would have cost, so it’s more like £3 per KWH.


I have taken part in about 10 of them and am up to about £20. Some people go mad i.e. turn off their fridge and sit in the dark. All I do is unplug the laptop and avoid using appliances. Not a hardship and it all helps. It’s a bit of fun actually.

[Marc]

I have taken part in about 10 of them and am up to about £20. Some people go mad i.e. turn off their fridge and sit in the dark. All I do is unplug the laptop and avoid using appliances. Not a hardship and it all helps. It’s a bit of fun actually.

That sounds pretty good @Drivingforfun
Does your energy supplier tell you how many people take part in total and now much energy and £ has been saved?

[Drivingforfun]

I just had a look, it doesn't say how many people took part but says just over 800,000kWh in total has been saved.

Apparently they do it because it's cheaper to pay people not to use energy during peak times than it is to buy in power from reserve power stations.

Even if you just delay using the same amount of power until after the session the idea is that it's reducing demand during peak time.

What I don't understand is, they say demand peaks at 6pm because everyone is home from work and boils their kettles etc. Surely that's been the case for several decades now, so it doesn't come as a surprise. You'd think they'd have taken note and would plan ahead and not need reserve power? What do I know, I'm sure there's a reason!🤔

[Rolebama]

FWIW, I remember back in the 70s, when a spokesman for CEGB said that the End of Part One break during Coronation Street, when electric kettles went on, was more problematic than Sunday dinnertime when cookers went on.

[Annlodge]

@amyjones Thanks for your recommendation. I got quote. As i'm not eligible for solar panel grants, i have to install one on my own. The installation will start soon. Thankyou once again.

[katiemkh]

Have you checked if you can get an ECO4 grant? There's the new ECO+/Great British Insulation Scheme too.