Energy saving ideas
Posted on 1st September 2022
The energy price cap is now set at £2,500 from 1st October and further increases are expected in January 2023.
The government’s plan to promote increased use of renewable energy in our homes by subsidising heat pump installations is being questioned.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants to encourage installation of low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps. The scheme covers some of the initial cost of installing low carbon heating and is open to domestic and small non-domestic properties in England and Wales.
According to the latest figures almost 4,200 applications have been received and the majority of those already granted will replace gas and oil heating systems with air source heat pumps.
Some organisations are arguing that the subsidy would be better used for other energy efficiency measures in the home that will reduce people’s bills.
For example, figures from the Energy Savings Trust suggest that £10 million would pay for around 19,000 lofts to be insulated, saving residents £4.8 million a year on bills and reducing carbon emissions by 11,400 tonnes. Alternatively, using the same amount for cavity wall insulation, 8,400 homes would benefit, saving almost £2.4 million on annual bills and cutting carbon emissions by more than 5,600 tonnes. Simply replacing 100W incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient LEDs could save £13 per bulb per year.
The Energy and Utilities Alliance estimates that the total £450million planned for the BUS to 2025 would subsidise 90,000 heat pumps. The same amount could provide insulation for one million homes or other energy saving measures. There are also concerns that expected reductions in heat pump costs compared to gas boilers won’t be realised and, in fact, they could cost more.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss energy efficient lighting and smart home options that could help you reduce your bills.
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