One our initial ambitions when moving away from the urban way of life in Reading was to pursue opportunities to be more environmentally friendly, sustainable and self-sufficient.
We set ourselves a number of goals that we wanted to achieve when we moved:
- Generate and use as much of our own energy as possible
- Reduce our reliance on fossil fuels with a slow progression to becoming carbon neutral
- Grow as much of our own fruit and vegetables as possible
- Use local suppliers and tradesmen where possible
Each of our goals also included smaller targets that we needed to achieve in order to achieve the overarching goal and in some cases, the goal would be interlinked with another one of our goals. For example, in order for us to generate and use as much of our own energy as possible, by going down the solar route, we would need to strengthen and replace our roof (already identified in our house survey) and whilst that might reduce our grid consumption, if we are going to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, we would then need to move our central heating and hot water away from gas.
The upfront costs of trying to do the right thing prohibits most people – us included – from doing the right thing. Whilst we have a solar array being installed by Deege, and have asked Sunflow to install a Sunamp so that we can make use of excess solar generation to heat our hot water, there is very few options to move away from gas heating.
The government’s preferred option is through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme but this only gives you £5,000 towards an Air Source Heat Pump. The problem with this scheme is that even with £5,000 towards the cost, the installation costs and the need in many cases to upgrade pipes to radiators and replace inadequate radiators is a barrier for most people. There are also requirements for any outstanding actions from an EPC with regards to loft and Wall Insulation to have been addresses. You also can not claim if you are only going to be using the ASHP for heating. As we are having a Sunamp installed then we are not eligible. We could never be able to afford a heat pump. Thats the same for a lot of people. So when our inefficient boiler finally needs replacing, we can only replace it with a gas boiler or an Electric boiler. Whilst we would prefer an Electric Boiler, the running costs already say no, no, no!
There are many homes in the UK that have solid stone walls so the only option for insulation is through internal or external wall insulation which is far too expensive for most people. There are grants for the unemployed but there is no support for anyone who is working. I do see the logic in this as the support goes to those that need it the most but I do believe that the government need to address the insulation issue across the country as part of their response to the cost of living crisis. Although let’s face it, shoving £67 off someones bill does little to incentivise and encourage the energy suppliers to reduce their charges.
But let’s change the subject before I go off on a rant!
Our other options for greener heating is through infrared panels. As I write this, I am sat in my ‘library’ (sounds grander than it is and I am probably being pretentious!) that has an 800W infrared panel from Hersch radiating heat around the room. It works although due to cost, I have only installed a third of the recommended wattage. This size room needs 3 panels for example but at £399 an 800w panel, this method of heating will take us a long time to install throughout Steepfield House. The beauty of these panels though is that they heat objects rather than the air which includes furniture and the fabric of the building. I am assured that this also helps with damp. The challenge is juggling this heating method with gas central heating until you can get to the stage that every room is adequately sized. There is also the cost of electricity which is tied to the cost of gas!