I have been told that Solar Water Heating will reduce my heating bills by 80%, is that true?
No. Some companies make misleading claims about solar water heating. Do not be taken in. A well designed system will save around 10% of your usual heating bill. Solar Water heating only provides for your hot water it is not used for space heating in the UK. Over a whole year a Solar Water System should be able to provide about 50% of your total hot water. This will vary during the year with the majority of your hot water being provided in summer months, but very little in the winter.

How much will a solar system cost me?
There is no hard and fast answer here. It will be dependent on how much water you use. This is usually based on the number of people in your home, which itself will relate to how much washing you do, how many shower/baths you take, how much washing up etc. It will also depend on the system you chose, evacuated tubes or flat plates and whether you have them integrated into your existing roof or mounted on top. An average cost is likely to be in the region of £3,000 to about £5,000.

Are evacuated tubes more efficient tan flat plate systems?
Yes. Evacuated tubes are more efficient, but in practice this just means that the same output is possible from a smaller system. If space is not an issue then flat plates may work out better value for money.

These solar panels only work on South facing roofs, don't they?
No. South facing roofs are by far the best situation for solar panels. This is where the system will be at its most efficient. However, anywhere between Southeast and Southwest will still give good efficiency. It is possible to place systems on East/West facing roofs, but these systems are specified slightly differently and may be slightly more expensive.

I thought solar panels could provide electricity. Can you explain?
There are different kinds of solar panels which provide electricity; these are called photovoltaics (PV). These panels are not used to provide hot water or space heating. PV converts sunlight into electricity and has no moving parts. This means that it requires very little maintenance and will last a very long time, maybe in the region of 30 years.

There are many different kinds PV: mono-crystalline, Poly-crystalline, amorphous etc. A typical domestic system is likely to cost between £8,000 and £15,000. It will depend on the type of system fitted, how easy access is (scaffolding etc). This will produce approximately 1,500kWh per year. An average house in the UK would use approximately 3,000kWh per year.

When you have a PV system you may be producing energy when you do not need it, perhaps during the day when you are at work. Most Distribution Network Operators will buy your excess electricity. You will need to check with them how much they will pay you for it.

Ground Source Heat Pumps appear to be the way to go, but I don't have an especially large garden. Can I still have one?
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) take heat from the ground and pump it back into buildings. This works in the same way as a fridge does, taking heat from the food and pumping it out of the coils at the back. GSHPs work best when used in conjunction with under-floor heating.

Usually coils are laid in large trenches in the ground to extract the heat. However, if you only have a small garden it is possible to use a borehole instead, although this may increase the cost.

How much will a Ground Source System cost me?
Costs vary greatly. They depend on the size of the house, the type of property, what distribution system is going to be installed and whether the system is for a new build or retro-fit (to an existing dwelling). A typical system is likely to cost in the region of £1,000/kW. To get a better idea of cost it is always best to discuss your own specific requirements with a qualified installer.

Can I have a wind turbine for my house?
Small scale wind turbines are an excellent way of generating your own clean electricity. However, small roof mounted turbines are unlikely to provide a major contribution to your electricity burden. In built up areas these turbines do not function particularly well. Some people have also raised concerns about possible vibration damage, noise and interference.

The amount of electricity generated by a turbine is directly related to the prevailing wind speed; relatively minor changes in speed give larger changes in output. So an ideal site would be somewhere with relatively strong and constant wind, with clear exposure and free from obstructions. Tower mounted turbines fair better as the wind speed increases with height. Turbines can cost from as little as £1,500, but a full survey should be done first to ensure a cost benefit. Planning permission is always required for wind turbines.