A by-product of the alternative energy boom is an increase in so-called ‘renewable experts‘.
While many of these ‘experts’ have value in being able to install a solar panel or a wind turbine, many lack the necessary qualifications to accurately conduct energy assessments in domestic and commercial settings.
This matters a great deal. Consumers are at risk of spending significant amounts of money in advance, for a product which isn’t optimising their long-term energy consumption.
For example, installing a solar panel may seem to be a worthwhile investment for your household. But in some cases, it’s simply not. There are many things to consider before committing to something like a solar panel:
- How and when does your household use energy?
- Do you have a capable gas and central heating system that is optimised for low-light periods at night time and winter?
- Does your home have the necessary wall insulation and glazed-windows to conserve heat?
- Factors like these determine whether renewable technology really is the best energy solution for your home. Considering the up-front cost of renewable installation, which can be anything from £3,000 to £5,000 for domestic wind turbines or solar panels, it’s vital that thorough energy assessments are carried out.
Unfortunately, as the Telegraph highlights, many ‘renewable experts’ don’t have the ability to carry out energy assessments. Often, they’ll try and sell a product to the consumer within a day.
It’s an irresponsible and expensive practice.
Where To Find Domestic And Commercial Energy Solutions
We love renewable technology, but it’s important that consumers are aware of the everyday realities facing alternative energy sources. The truth is that renewable technology can struggle to provide the energy we need 100 per cent of the time, especially in the UK.
The most effective domestic energy solutions involve looking at simple ways to make the home more energy efficient.
Installing biomass boilers, using the correct heating settings and investing in good wall and roof insulation are good starting points. Renewable energy can certainly help with lowering utility costs and carbon output over the long-term, but the benefits will be much more profound if efficiency measures are implemented first.
Qualifications To Look Out For
Before investing in renewable technology, be sure to get a qualified engineer to carry out a full energy assessment of your property. It will ensure that the money you spend will achieve your energy goals.
Energy assessors should possess the following qualification:
CIBSE Low Carbon Consultant: Members of the CIBSE Low Carbon Consultant Register are qualified to minimise energy use and carbon emissions from buildings, both in design and operation. The energy assessment process involves using specialist software to project a buildings energy use, costs and compliance with regulations.
There are other equivalent professional bodies with similar aspects, including the Energy Institutes scheme. The point is that you should ensure that whoever is giving the advice is qualified to do so.
The Next Step
After the necessary energy assessments have been carried out on your property, the engineer will be able to advise you on what steps you should take to improve energy efficiency, reduce your carbon footprint and save on utility costs.
This is something we are qualified to do. If you need advice on domestic energy efficiency and renewable technology, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.