princesltd, Author at Princes LHS

Author: princesltd

The benefits of installing solar panels to your home

Written by princesltd on January 31, 2023. Posted in Energy Saving, Solar PV system.

As climate concerns continue to grow, renewable energy solutions like solar panels are increasing in popularity. Solar panels are an easy way to channel the sun’s energy and create electricity you can use to run your home. There are many benefits of solar panels including reduced costs and carbon footprint and our solar panel systems can be created to suit your needs. We help build a quote and assess your system needs to get the best solar panel solution for your home.

Help the environment

One of the main benefits of solar panels is their environmental benefits. Solar energy doesn’t produce greenhouse gases or emit carbon dioxide which helps people reduce their carbon footprint. With fossil fuels becoming scarcer, solar panels also guarantee you have energy for your home and can be used even when there are clouds. By using solar panels to power your home, you can save an estimated 1 tonne of CO2 every year and help to contribute towards carbon-neutral goals.

Add value to your home

Whilst solar panels can be expensive to install, they also add value to your home which can be up to £30,000. Your solar panels can become a new selling point for future owners who may be interested in renewable energy and increase the selling price. This can also offset the cost of installation and reduce the break-even time and is a worthwhile consideration if you are considering selling your home at any point in the future.

Reduce those energy bills

The cost of living has soared in the last 12 months and there’s no end in sight at the moment. Energy bills have risen dramatically and running your home is increasingly expensive. By using the sun’s energy to run your home, solar panels allow you to save up to £600 a year on your energy bills and make you less reliant on the grid. This also protects you from future energy price rises and helps maximise your investment.

Store excess energy

Solar panels generate energy during the day for your home but in the dark, produce nothing. Installing battery storage allows you to store any excess energy generated during the day when energy usage is lower to use in the evenings and reduce your need to pay for energy. Storing your energy maximises the efficiency of your system and multiples batteries can be installed at any time to increase your storage further.

Make money by selling back

Not only can you save money on your bills, but you can also make money by selling your excess energy back to the grid. Domestic customers can be paid an agreed rate to buy your excess power when you aren’t using it. As the price of energy increases, these rates are rising and are likely to continue in the future, reducing your costs further.

There are a number of benefits to installing solar panels as part of a full Solar PV system. We can create a bespoke quote to supply, install and set up a system based on your own energy needs. For more information about our renewable energy solutions, contact our team using the contact form here, or by calling 01691 624336.

Am I eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

Written by princesltd on December 21, 2022. Posted in BUS, Energy Saving, Heat Pumps.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) was launched in April 2022 and is administered by the energy regulator OFGEM. The BUS scheme is part of a wide range of decarbonising and energy-saving plans by the UK government. It is hoped the scheme will allow up to 90000 homes in England and Wales to install low-carbon heat technology and reduce carbon emissions.

It is available to homes in England and Wales and provides a financial grant that can be used against the cost of installing a heat pump or biomass boiler to replace a fossil fuel heating system.

You can get one grant per property. Grants are available for –

£5000 towards an air-source heat pump
£6000 towards a ground source heat pump
£5000 towards a biomass boiler

What is a Heat Pump?

An air or ground-source heat pump will be the best option for most people. You can learn more about what a heat pump is and how it can help to heat your home and reduce your energy bills on our website here. If you prefer to see something before you commit you can visit the Low Carbon Homes Showroom in Ellesmere where a number of heat-pump devices (air-source and ground-source) are set up and ready for demonstration. Visit the showroom website here to learn more and arrange a visit.

How do you apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

If you decide to go ahead and install a heat pump in your home. There are two stages you need to go through to make a successful application.

1. Before you apply to the BUS scheme

You will need to find an MCS-accredited installer to help you apply to the BUS scheme. Princes LHS are MCS accredited so that we can help you every step of the way.
A few eligibility checks are carried out and OFGEM will confirm your consent to the scheme conditions. Once OFGEM is satisfied with your application and has your consent, the grant approval will be given through your chosen MCS-accredited installer.

2. After your heat pump has been installed

Once your new equipment has been installed and is working, the installer provides evidence to OFGEM that the work has been completed. OFGEM will then assess the installation and pay the grant amount to the installer on your behalf.

So – would I be eligible?

To be successful in your Boiler Upgrade Scheme application, it must meet the following criteria –

The installer must be MCS certified
Your new heat pump or biomass boiler must be replacing a fossil-fuelled system
Your home must have a current EPC certificate (issued in the last 10 years) without recommendations to install cavity wall insulation (unless exempt)
Biomass boilers can only be installed in rural areas and not in properties connected to mains gas.
Heat pumps and biomass boilers must meet approved standards
There is a 45kwth total capacity limit
Domestic and non-domestic buildings are eligible including self-build homes.

How do I apply?

You will need to appoint an MCS-accredited installer to apply for the scheme, Princes LHS are MCS accredited and since the scheme launched earlier this year, we have helped a number of customers claim a grant under the BUS scheme.

Contact our team here or by calling 01691 624336 and one of our team will help you confirm your eligibility.