In most cases before specifying any kind of renewable energy system the logical place to start is to work on improving the energy efficiency of your home, place of work, hotel or any other place where a renewable energy system will be installed:

• Most Grants and Subsidies are unlikely to get signed off without energy efficiency measures already in place.
• The size of the system is likely to be smaller, the costs lower and the payback time quicker if energy requirement calculations are based on an already energy efficient environment rather then based on sizing a system where much of the energy generated will be wasted.

Some steps that are worth taking (if applicable) could include:

• Loft Insulation: Check out our article on Natural Insulation
• Cavity Wall Insulation:
• Low Energy Light Bulbs:
• Controllers & Timers on Heating Systems:
• Masterswitches:
• Draughtproofing:
• Double Glazing:
• Energy Saving Appliances:

Further Information

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