You want to go greener, but you haven’t gone the whole hog yet and covered your roof in solar panels. You’ve heard about battery storage systems, but aren’t sure if they are economically viable without being part of a complete solar system. Well, while batteries are an excellent addition to solar panels, storing excess solar energy and using it when the panels are unable to operate, you CAN still save money with battery storage alone. So, dip your big toe into the world of renewable energy and read on to discover how installing a battery storage system can save you money without the need for an entire elevation of panels.
Which battery is right for me?
There are an array of choices available which include Tesla Powerwall, SolarEdge, Huawei Luna, MyEnergi Libbi and GivEnergy. As experts in battery installations, Carter Renewables will identify the best options for the specific need considering items such as capacity, cost, efficiency and life expectancy.
These sleek and efficient Tesla Powerwalls offer a range of benefits that make them an attractive addition to your property.
So how can I save money without solar panels?
1. Time-of-Use (TOU) Tariffs
In areas where utilities charge different rates for electricity at different times of the day (TOU tariffs), battery storage systems can store energy during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper and then use it during peak hours when electricity rates are higher. This load shifting can significantly reduce electricity bills. Read more about TOU tariffs from the Energy Saving Trust.
2. Demand Charges
For commercial and industrial customers, a significant portion of the electricity bill can come from demand charges, which are fees based on the highest rate of electricity usage during a billing period. Battery storage systems can help reduce these demand charges by discharging stored energy during periods of high demand, thus lowering the peak usage.
3. Backup Power
While not directly a money-saving feature, having a battery storage system can provide backup power during outages, which can be invaluable for avoiding productivity losses or spoilage in businesses, and discomfort or disruptions in residential settings. Have peace of mind that in these situations, your battery storage system has got your back! This happened recently at Carter Renewables HQ, where our trusty Tesla Powerwall stepped up to the fore after a power cut (below).
4. Incentives and Rebates
Various regions offer incentives and rebates for installing battery storage systems, which can offset the initial cost and make the investment more attractive. In December 2023, the UK government introduced VAT relief on the installation of battery storage systems.
What else do I have to consider before installation?
While battery storage systems without solar panels can save money in the long run, the savings depend on the specific circumstances, including local electricity rates, any differences between peak and off-peak rates, the initial cost of the technology and installation, as well as ongoing maintenance, and individual usage patterns.
Contact us today to analyse your energy usage and help advise you on the best battery storage system for your needs and lifestyle (and perhaps convince you to cover one side of your roof in solar panels too).
Solar garden lights have become increasingly popular as a sustainable and cost-effective way to illuminate outdoor spaces. They harness energy from the sun to power LED lights, offering an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional electric lighting. Today we explore the advantages and disadvantages of using solar garden lights, so our customers can make an informed decision based on their location, affordability and usage.
Solar garden lights have become increasingly popular in recent years.
Pros of Solar Garden Lights
Environmentally Friendly: Solar lights utilise solar energy, a renewable and abundant resource, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. By generating power from the sun, solar lights help decrease greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
Cost-Effective: Solar lights operate independently of the power grid, eliminating electricity bills associated with outdoor lighting. Once installed, solar lights require minimal maintenance, saving time and money in the long run.
Easy Installation: Solar lights are wireless, making installation simple and safe without the need for electrical expertise. They can be installed in various locations, without concern for proximity to power outlets.
Safety: Solar lights typically operate at low voltage, reducing the risk of electrical hazards. Most solar lights come with sensors that automatically turn the lights on at dusk and off at dawn, enhancing convenience and security.
Aesthetic Appeal: Available in numerous styles, colours, and shapes, solar lights can enhance the aesthetic appeal of gardens and outdoor spaces.
Recyclable parts: Garden solar lights are made up of solar panels, batteries, LED lights, and plastic casings, all of which can be separated and recycled appropriately. Recycling these components allows for the recovery of valuable materials and reduces the environmental impact of electronic waste, and some suppliers even offer their own recycling programs. If you’re local to Reading, check out re3, where you can check the recyclability of almost every household item, including garden solar lights!
Use the re3 website (above) to check what you can recycle from around your house.
Cons of Solar Garden Lights
Dependence on Sunlight: Solar lights depend on sunlight to charge, which can be inconsistent due to weather conditions, geographic location, and seasonal changes.In addition to this, shorter daylight hours and overcast skies during winter can significantly reduce the performance of solar lights.
Initial Cost: Although costs have decreased, the initial purchase price of quality solar garden lights can be higher compared to traditional lighting options.
Light Intensity: Solar lights generally produce less intense light compared to wired electric lights, which may not be suitable for areas requiring strong illumination.
Battery Lifespan: The rechargeable batteries in solar lights typically last 1-2 years before needing replacement, which incurs additional costs and maintenance.
Durability Issues: Prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions can damage solar lights, affecting their longevity and performance. There is also a wide range of product quality on the market, and lower-quality solar lights may fail prematurely or underperform.
Recycling Difficulties: Although individual components of solar lighting can be recycled, this can be a time-costly exercise by the customer, as very few recycling centres recycle the lights as a whole unit. Putting unwanted or broken solar lights into general waste collections, or disposing via incineration is extremely harmful to the environment, due to the hazardous materials solar lights contain, such as batteries and bulbs.
Solar garden lights offer a sustainable and cost-effective solution for outdoor lighting, with significant benefits such as environmental friendliness, ease of installation, and aesthetic versatility. However, their dependence on sunlight, initial cost, and variable performance can pose challenges. Although billed as an eco-friendly option for garden lighting, solar garden lights are not widely recyclable as whole units, posing issues for the more eco-conscious consumer. Careful consideration of these factors will help determine if solar garden lights are the right choice for your specific needs and environment. By understanding both the advantages and drawbacks, our clients can make informed decisions about integrating solar garden lights into their outdoor spaces, contributing to a more sustainable future while enhancing their garden’s ambiance.
Smart tariffs, also known as time-of-use (TOU) tariffs or dynamic pricing, are electricity pricing structures that vary based on the time of day, day of the week, or other predetermined factors. These tariffs aim to reflect the actual cost of generating electricity at different times and encourage consumers to shift their electricity usage to off-peak periods when energy costs are lower.
Smart tariffs typically involve higher prices during peak demand periods, such as in the evening when people return home from work and energy consumption spikes, and lower prices during times of lower demand, such as late at night or early morning.
By offering incentives for consumers to use electricity during off-peak hours, smart tariffs can help utilities manage demand more efficiently, reduce strain on the grid, and promote the integration of renewable energy sources. Additionally, they can empower consumers to make more informed decisions about their energy usage and potentially lower their electricity bills by adjusting their consumption patterns accordingly.
So which smart tariff is best for me?
Market leader and the UK’s most awarded energy supplier Octopus Energy have a wide range of tariffs, all suited to customers’ differing needs and lifestyles, but choosing the tariff for you can be a minefield! Here we break down the tariffs and explain in layman’s terms which is the tariff for you and your household.
Agile Octopus
With Agile Octopus, customers get access to half-hourly energy prices, tied to wholesale prices and updated daily. So when wholesale electricity prices drop, so do your bills – and if you can shift your daily electricity use outside of peak times, typically between 4-7pm, you can save even more. Agile prices can spike up to 100 p/kWh any time – although a in Winter 2023-24 the max 30 min slot was 68p/kWh with the cheapest being -4p/kWh! Yes they actually paid you to use electricity. This tariff is therefore best suited to customers who can shift large amounts of their energy use to avoid these expensive peaks, often by using smart home technologies like solar and batteries.
Intelligent Octopus Go
If you own an electric vehicle (EV), then Intelligent Octopus Go is the tariff for you! Automatically charge your car when it’s cheapest and get super-low smart charging rates plussix hours of cheap energy for your whole home every night. Making the most out of this tariff is as simple as connecting your EV or charger in the Octopus app, before just plugging in your car and telling Octopus how much charge you need. Octopus will then automatically schedule your charge for when energy is cheapest and greenest, and you’ll only pay 7.5p/kWh regardless of the time of day.
Octopus Flux
For you solar PV and battery owners out there, the Octopus Flux tariff has been designed exclusively for your needs. Compatible with all solar PV and battery systems, Octopus Flux is an import and export tariff optimised to give you the best rates for consuming and selling your energy and support the grid during peak periods. It gives customers super-cheap rates between 02:00 – 05:00 every day, when you can top up your battery with any extra energy you may need, as well as a peak rate between 16:00 – 19:00, the optimum time to discharge your battery and export surplus energy back to the grid.
Cosy Octopus
Finally, if you’re the proud owner of a heat pump, check out the Cosy Octopus tariff to keep your home warm for less with super cheap rates, twice a day, every day. It’s a three-rate tariff with double dip Cosy Hours every day: six hours of super-cheap electric to warm your home. You need a heat pump to be eligible for Cosy Octopus, but it doesn’t need to have been installed by Octopus Energy. If you’re in the process of getting one installed, you can still switch to Cosy.
Picking the right tariff depends on the low-carbon technologies you own (i.e. EVs, heat pumps, solar or battery storage) and your personal energy consumption. Octopus Energy have a wide range of tariffs, so if you’re looking for something different than the ones mentioned above, check out their full range or take their quick quiz. Even if you’re at the very start of your renewable journey, and don’t have any smart technologies (yet!), you can save cash and carbon by shifting your consumption to cheaper times. Octopus Tracker is a great introduction to smarter energy, with different energy prices daily.
Use this link to sign up to Octopus and get £50 credit on your account!
You’ve installed solar PV panels and you’re generating renewable energy from the sun, so what’s next? What about a solar diverter, a handy device that works alongside your solar panels to enhance energy utilisation within your household.
What is a solar diverter?
A solar diverter’s function is to channel surplus electricity produced by the solar panels towards a designated appliance, typically for water heating, rather than exporting it to the grid, enhancing the overall efficiency of the solar panels for the homeowner.
How do solar diverters work?
When the solar panels produce an excess of electricity beyond the current household consumption, the solar diverter automatically detects this surplus and redirects the extra energy to a specified appliance, such as water heaters, or electric heating systems. Most electric vehicle (EV) chargers can also do this too. This increases the self-consumption of solar energy, reducing reliance on grid power and thus, lowering electricity bills. Although using a diverter to heat water is the most common use, it’s worth noting that solar diverters can’t be used to heat hot water if a combi boiler is installed in your home.
Let’s talk about finances, how much do solar diverters cost?
Ultimately, the price of a solar diverter is influenced by various factors such as the brand, model, features, and installation specifications. The good news is, they qualify for 0% VAT, which helps improve the payback by saving typical gas use to heat the water. However, the optimal utilisation of solar energy varies depending on individual circumstances. For most users, maximising savings and achieving quicker payback involves using surplus electricity within the home. Yet, if you benefit from a favourable solar buy-back tariff, selling your excess energy back to the grid may prove more worthwhile.
Which solar diverter should I go for?
Today we shine a spotlight on the myenergi eddi. As myenergi explain themselves, “a solar photovoltaic (PV) system without an eddi is like a car without a steering wheel or driver. Without an eddi, you have no control over where you want your self-generated energy to go, or how you want to use it.”
By installing a myenergi eddi, you are able to make the most of the green energy generated from your solar PV or even your wind generation system. By directing the excess renewable energy to other appliances, you can, for example, heat 100% of your hot water on self-generated green energy.
Tell me more about eddi…
eddi uses state-of-the-art technology to monitor PV performance and your energy consumption. This means that surplus power can always be used in the best way – heating your water with solar ready for when you need it most. The eddi can fully heat your water using much lower amounts of solar generation, such as during winter mornings, late summer evenings or when it’s overcast, ultimately improving the life and efficiency of the heat pump, and prevents reliance on top ups from the grid.
At Carter Renewables, we highly recommend consulting with us to obtain an accurate cost estimate for a solar diverter tailored to your home, lifestyle and specific requirements. Contact us today to get your solar diverter journey started, and to get that metaphoric steering wheel added to your car!
Our Planet Earth has existed for approximately 4.5 billion years, and we have only enjoyed domestic electricity for about 150 of them. Electricity is now something we absolutely take for granted: to light and heat our homes, cook our food, charge the devices to entertain us and much more. On the rare occasion of a power outage, we spring to our pre-charged smartphones to enquire about the cause, and more often than not are able to utilise stored electricity in some form until usual service resumes.
Yet, due to its convenience and normality within our modern lives, we tend to forget that electricity has the power to kill humans when manhandled, and around 2.5 million Brits receive an electric shock annually. That’s a shocking (!) 4% of the population falling foul each year to everything from electrical fires to fatal incidents, often sadly because of faults around their house.
Today we will explore the most common current (ok I’ll stop now) reasons for an electrical mishap, and how you can safeguard yourself against them.
Old Wiring
It’s the main culprit for sure – old or faulty wiring will lead to electrical fires or immediate shocks. Even if you’re not a sparky, you can still learn to distinguish between old and new wiring from the colouring. Old plug wiring consists of a red live wire, black neutral wire and a green/yellow or a pure green protective earth (PE) wire:
Know your old from your new!
Plugs with modern wiring contain a brown wire that is live, a blue neutral wire and a green/yellow PE wire. Broadly speaking, the wiring connections in new plugs are the same as in old ones but with different colours for the neutral and live wires.
As well as this, if you have any of the following in your house, get in touch with us today for us to check them out safely:
Cables coated in black rubber were phased out in the 60s
Cables coated in lead or fabric were installed pre-60s
A wooden-backed fuse box or cast iron switches would be pre-60s
Wall-mounted light switches in the bathroom are pre-60s
Extension Cords
If the back of your TV, or by your bedside table looks like the image below on a permanent basis, please reconsider installing some additional sockets to cope with your electrical appliance demand. Misuse of extension plugs and leads is one of the biggest electrical offenders in the UK, not helped by the fact that appliances are often plugged into them constantly throughout the day and night, silently overheating, resulting in melted sockets or worse case scenario, house fires.
Dangerously overloaded extension sockets
If you do have a lot of devices, think about only plugging them in when you need to use them, as the purpose of extension leads was originally for that exact use only – such as when you needed additional electricity to mow the lawn or vacuum your car. Additionally, make sure the extension lead you’re using is up to the job – the capacity should well exceed the electrical demand you’re placing on the cord.
Chargers
We literally can’t live without them, needing a charger for everything from our phone, laptop and kids’ tablets to our vacuum cleaners and toothbrushes! And while the original charger that came with your device may be compliant with UK properties and our electrical systems, there’s a high chance that any replacement or ‘spare’ chargers, bought in a rush from Amazon Prime, are low-quality products made in China for as little as 3p a pop.
So how can you check your charger is compliant with UK properties and your plug sockets, in order to keep safe?
Check the Plug Pin: Examine the pins and ensure there is a minimum distance of 9.5mm between the edge of the pins and the charger’s edge. Failure to meet this standard could pose a risk of electric shock. Difficulty in plugging the charger into the socket may indicate incorrect pin length or size.
Verify the Markings: When purchasing a charger, ensure the brand’s markings are clearly visible. The output voltage should match that of your device, and a CE mark should be present to confirm compliance with EU regulations.
Refer to the Manual: Upon purchasing a device or charger, refer to the provided instructions for proper usage guidelines. These instructions will include details on correctly using the charger and offer essential electrical guidance.
Electrical safety is important for everyone, no matter if you’re a homeowner, tenant, landlord or even student. If electrical education starts at a young age, such as encouraging children to unplug chargers when they aren’t using them, or keeping drinks away from electrical devices, they will grow up aware of the dangers that good old everyday electricity can pose. At Carter Electrical, we are always happy to carry out electrical testing, and we can provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which is a mandatory 5-year test for landlords.
If you’ve been on the fence about making some renewable changes to your house and lifestyle, how about taking a virtual step inside the house of Carter Electrical co-director Jon Carter, who has been making sustainable improvements to his house for the last two years; practising what he preaches to not only reduce his carbon footprint along the way, but also improve his bank balance! Here, Jon talks us through his journey so far, with some all-important facts and figures to support the changes he has been making, and his plans to continue his project through 2024.
Talk us through your intentions behind this journey to go greener?
Being in the trade, I have the benefit of being able to install at below-market rates, which was a huge benefit and incentive to get started on this project. My main intentions, however, were to demonstrate how using renewables together can a) reduce your carbon footprint, b) save you money, and c) earn you money.
What did the house look like at the start of the project?
The house is a 1970 bungalow, with approximately 145m2 of floor area, insulated cavity walls (although I do wonder sometimes!), old wood-framed double glazed windows, and a rather old gas boiler. The radiators throughout the house were a mix of single and double panels, which I planned to upgrade. Fortunately, the house, being an L-shape, had two zones for the heating plumbed in and 15mm legs to the radiators would help the flow rates for future heat pump installation.
What renewable changes have you made so far?
So far, I have added 7.91kWp of solar PV across the east, south and west elevations of the house to maximise solar efficiency, converting sunlight into renewable energy to power various electrical devices. Around the same time, I installed a 13.5kWh battery capable of charging and discharging energy from the grid, and storing excess solar energy to utilise during periods of high demand on the grid, or overnight. A 12kW heat pump combined with a smart Domestic Hot Water (DHW) cylinder is a more environmentally-friendly heating option compared to traditional boilers, and powered by the solar PV panels, reduces not only my carbon footprint, but my energy bills too. And of course, an EV charger was one of the first things to be installed to help power the Carter Electrical fleet!
Solar PV panels across three of the elevations of the bungalow
Let’s talk facts and figures – tell us about your electricity and gas usage in 2022?
As a snapshot, in 2022 we used 17,673 kWh of gas at an average cost of 6p/kWh, mainly for heating and domestic hot water, but also a small bit for cooking, bringing our net cost of gas for the year to £1,034. In addition to this, we imported 5182 kWh of electricity costing £571 – a small part was for electric vehicle (EV) charging, but the bulk was for domestic use. This meant we had a total demand of 22,855 kWh from the grid,.
And by 2023?
Our gas usage in 2023 was 0 kWh! This was largely down to installing the heat pump and induction hob, and removing the gas to the property. If we had remained on gas with the existing boiler, the costs would have nearly doubled. Our electricity usage was 10,900 kWh, of which 7313 kWh came from the grid at an average cost of 13p/kWh. Therefore, grid electricity cost £928.64 however, I exported 1723 kWh worth £361.87 at an average of 21p/kWh. In addition to this, there were some Octopus Energy Octoplus saving credits and seven referrals which totalled £405.36. So once export was taken away from usage, my net cost of electricity was £161.41 for the year. This meant an incredible saving of over £1440 compared to 2022; our combined savings on gas and electricity was closer to over £2500.
So how much did it cost and what’s the ROI?
7kWp of solar PV with a Tesla Powerwall battery was approximately £20,000. You can get cheaper, but this system is high-specification, using SolarEdge optimisers to minimise tree shading and multiple elevations as in the case of our bungalow. It is a large battery, but this allows us to maximise charging with cheap off-peak electricity in the winter, as well as capturing all the generation in the summer. The Octopus Agile Tariff and the battery has made the unit cost of electricity extremely low.
Jon’s Tesla Powerwall, which is high-specification, cost £20,000
The 12kWSamsung HTQ heat pump, Mixergy Cylinder and Homely controls came to about £12,500, although there is a £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant available which brings the cost down closer to a boiler change. On top of that, our new radiators cost between £200-£300 per unit to swap.
The Samsung HTQ heat pump, which can be installed with the help of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant
It is a large initial outlay, but we are effectively buying 25 years of electricity upfront with the solar panels, and the battery then facilitates the ability to maximise the generation use and access to off peak cheaper electricity. With the cheaper electricity and the 350-500% efficiency of the heat pump, the cost to heat the house and domestic hot water drops dramatically and will only get cheaper. Remember – the price of gas will only ever go up due to it being a finite resource!
Jon’s heat pump running yesterday at over 500% efficiency
It’s a change of mindset: we buy a car, a fridge or a sofa out of necessity and it’s not always the cheapest. We need electricity to run the house and we need to heat the house in winter and hot water all the time, so why not invest in something that allows you to do it cheaper and also helps reduce the use of fossil fuels at the same time?
What’s next on the green agenda?
I want to look to improve the efficiency of the heat pump, which is a lot of fun through experimentation and playing with settings to best suit our climate. I installed data collectors on all new equipment, so I’m constantly monitoring it to see if there are improvements that can be made. Next on the list, is to improve the insulation of the house and minimise draughts – I have a lot of old, leaky double-glazed windows that could be improved! Tech-wise, I’d love a wind turbine, but it’s not feasible (or so I’m told by my wife).
What advice would you give customers looking to make steps to go greener at home?
Do heat pumps work? Yes. Do solar panels work? Yes. Do battery storage systems work? YES. Together they are a large initial investment, however, if you have the capital expenditure, then it is clear and obvious you can reduce the operational expenditure of your house quite significantly. I reduced my utility costs by 90% in my first year of making these changes, and I am looking forward to continuing to analyse my energy usage in 2024 to further enjoy the long-term financial benefits, as well as knowing I’m reducing mine and my family’s carbon footprint!Contact us today to conduct a thorough analysis of your energy needs, local climate conditions, and available incentives, to help tailor a solution to your specific requirements.
Installation of solar panels, Tesla Powerwall battery and Air Source Heat Pump
This project in Caversham has been a full installation of Green energy products. We installed 10Kw of solar panels with a supporting Solar Edge inverter and hot water diverter, a Tesla Powerwall battery, an Air Source Heat Pump from Midea, and a Mixergy smart tank. A fully integrated solution. So much so that the client has had his gas supply removed.
Please read Nigel’s glowing testimonial below.
“From the moment we contacted Carter Electrical, they demonstrated a deep understanding of our renewable energy goals and provided a high-quality service.
Renewable energy solution
Their team worked closely with us to design and implement a custom renewable energy solution for my home, covering; solar, heat-pump, battery, smart hot water tank, underfloor heating and car charger.
The installation process was completed rapidly, with Matt getting us up and running before the winter set in. The team were flexible during the installation and were able accommodate additional panels on our roof.
Since the system was installed, we’ve seen significant reductions in our energy bills. In mid Feb for the first time we achieved full independence, going a full day on solar and battery alone. We’ve also had the gas meter taken out. Having independence and energy security were core objectives of our project and Carter’s helped to deliver them for us.
We highly recommend Carter’s to anyone who is looking to start saving money on their energy bills and doing their bit for the planet.”
2023 has started out extremely busy for us here at Carter Electrical Installations. We are working on several projects, both commercial and residential, where clients are looking for Green energy solutions. So as well as having solar panels fitted clients are looking for solutions by adding storage batteries, EV chargers and Air Source Heat Pumps. We described this as the Triple Solution in a blog last year.
Clearly the surge in energy prices last year is driving demand for Green energy solutions. The return on investment on installing these products is so much higher when gas and electricity prices have soared. Also helping is the easing of supply chain bottlenecks, although some products are still on fairly long lead times.
Emmer Green Energy Project
We recently completed a project in Emmer Green where we added more solar panels, an immersion diverter and a Zappi EV charger. This project will be completed next year when we add a Tesla storage battery. This is one of the products that still has a long lead time.
The solar panels were mounted on a K2 system and we installed a Solar Edge 4kw inverter. The EV charger is from myenergi Zappi and we also installed an Eddi immersion diverter from myenergi.
Caversham Energy Project
The project highlighted in the header picture is from our recent work in Chazey Road, Caversham. The client is so pleased with the results that he has cut off his gas supply and gone fully electric. This was a comprehensive project with 10kw of solar fitted to SolarEdge inverter, with optimisers to maximise panel performance and minimise the effects of shading, a Tesla storage battery, a Samsung HTQ air source heat pump and a Mixergy smart hot water cylinder. This is a serious investment by the client but has superb outcomes with lower bills for most of the year and insulated against price increases.
For this our December blog we are going to look back on our blogs posts from 2022. Little did we know how prescient our first blog of the year was going to be. Titled “Coming to your in 2022-Higher Energy Bills” we predicted that the energy cap would rise sharply in April. What we didn’t know was the Putin would order the invasion of Ukraine and send gas and oil prices soaring further. The energy cap will rise to £4,279 in January.
However consumers are protected by the Energy Price Guarantee until March 2024. The Energy Price Guarantee protects consumers reducing the unit cost of electricity and gas so that that a typical dual fuel direct debit bill for January 2023 remains at £2,500 and will be increased from April 2023 to a new level of £3000. Ofgem are also moving to quarterly price cap updates.
Lets hope that energy prices saw their peaks in 2022 and that wholesale prices of gas and oil continue to fall further. We have offered advice in a couple of blogs of how to save money and how to run your gas boiler efficiently.
We further addressed price inflation in our blogs for May and June titled The Perfect Storm-Parts 1 and 2. As well as energy price inflation these two blogs discussed the shortages in the supply chain affecting our electrical business. Some parts have been in acute shortages all year and have affected our work flow and deliverability on projects.
The rapid rise in energy prices has led to a record year for Carter Electrical Installations with our Green Energy projects. We have covered the installation of Green Energy in several blogs this year. Offering advice on the best products to use and how to run things efficiently. We have seen good demand from golf courses to install Solar PV and storage batteries and covered the topic in our July blog-Golf Courses Go Green. We also wrote blogs on Solar Panels and how they work and storage batteries-Battery Power
Carter Electrical are a local to Reading family run company, that has built up plenty of experience in installing Solar PV, inverters, storage batteries, EV chargers and Air Source Heat Pumps. Its this combination of skills combined with our electrical contracting background that makes us quite unique in the industry. The one issue that we continue to focus on is recruiting more electricians with experience of green energy. Though we do offer training in this area for qualified electricians. We covered this subject in our August blog-Are You Looking For A New Challenge?
It just remains to wish all of our readers, customers and suppliers a very merry Christmas and a successful and healthy New Year. Best Wishes from Jon, Matt and the Team
We have written several blogs on the subject of saving energy and there are many great blogs out there that also give excellent tips on how to use less power. Therefore we have decided to share some of our favourite blogs from the internet and highlight the best tips to save money this winter.
6 tips to cut your energy bills:
We like this article from the BBC as it gives six simple tips to cut your energy bills that don’t cost a fortune to implement. They are
1) use an air fryer or microwave instead of an oven,
This blog from EDF goes through the house in more detail giving you some more great ideas on how to save on your energy consumption
There are obviously larger expenditures that will save you money in the long run and many of these investments are now showing good returns as the price of energy has soared. Investments such as the installation of double glazing, solar panels,air source pumps can cost thousands of pounds but can indeed save you thousands of pounds over the long run. There are also government grants to enable households to make these green investments.
Installation of storage batteries
Installing a storage battery can also prove to be a good investment as the battery will store the electricity generated by your solar panels or the cheap electricity that is available to purchase overnight. Our latest blog discusses the merits of Tesla and Huawei Luna storage batteries.
You can also take this questionnaire on the UK Government website to see if your home would benefit from home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm.
