Renewable choices

• how these work
• receiving payment through the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive
• help with installation costs from the Renewable Heat Premium
• planning permissions
• finding an installer

Solar Hot Water

Domestic systems generally use flat plates or evacuated tubes positioned to soak up the sun’s energy and use it to heat water. These systems can reduce the energy needs of your conventional boiler or hot water system quite dramatically.

Wind turbines
These transform the wind’s energy into electricity. Any power not needed in the home can be exported to the grid. Small scale wind turbines are usually mast-mounted in an exposed windy position but roof-mounted systems are also available.

Solar Electricity (PV)
Photovoltaic panels generate electricity in daylight – more in sunnier conditions. Panels are typically roof-mounted but can be put on walls or on the ground.

Biomass
This is organic matter that is burned to generate energy. The two main categories are woody biomass and non-woody. In homes, people usually use wood pellets, wood chips and wood logs for stand-alone stoves or stoves/boilers also heating water and/or radiators.

Ground or water source heat pumps
Basically a large pipe full of water and anti-freeze, laid underground or underwater captures heat from the surroundings. This heat is concentrated and transferred to under-floor heating or hot water systems.

Air-source heat pumps
A pump absorbs heat from the outside air and is used to warm water for radiators or under floor heating systems (air to water), or to warm the air in your home (air to air). Air pumps look like air conditioning units.

Hydroelectricity
Hydro electricity is electricity made by flowing water. Turbines either use water “dropped” from behind a dam or from natural “run of the river” with no water storage reservoir.