Electricity
Reducing electricity usage has been done in small steps. We put low energy light bulbs into as many lights as possible, but some initally were not suitable and so had to wait until the light fitting was changed. Getting into the habit of switching things off at the socket has been hard and we still forget. Choosing lower energy use appliances is important but again can only be done as the appliance needs replaced. Looking at whether a piece of equipment is needed is also important. We are currently learning to live all year round without a tumble dryer. We bought it when the kids were in nappies and got used to using it instead of ironing or for clothes we urgently needed. On dry days we have always dried outside, and we even have an airer in the covered path between the house and garage. So far the tumble dryer has been idle 8 months, of we get to Christmas it will go.
We are currently looking at installing Solar Photovoltaic panels on the south east and south west faces of our roof. The capital coming partly from the Future Friendly Award - see under home. In Scotland in 2010 we do not need Planning Permission for this, though that was not the inital advice given to us through the Planning Department. We need permission from the local network provider - the company who own the wires providing us with electricity. This is to ensure we don't completely blow the network. For us this is Scottish Power, and finally we need a building warrant to ensure things are done correctly.
At the very end of September we did eventually get the OK from Scottish Power to connect our system to the grid, at a cost to us of £734.66. The building warrant was already in place to hopefully by the end of October we will have our panels - 9 months after starting the project.
We are currently looking at installing Solar Photovoltaic panels on the south east and south west faces of our roof. The capital coming partly from the Future Friendly Award - see under home. In Scotland in 2010 we do not need Planning Permission for this, though that was not the inital advice given to us through the Planning Department. We need permission from the local network provider - the company who own the wires providing us with electricity. This is to ensure we don't completely blow the network. For us this is Scottish Power, and finally we need a building warrant to ensure things are done correctly.
At the very end of September we did eventually get the OK from Scottish Power to connect our system to the grid, at a cost to us of £734.66. The building warrant was already in place to hopefully by the end of October we will have our panels - 9 months after starting the project.
