With the help of a grant arranged by Transition Streets Hamid Van Koten has just installed solar thermal hot water panels and a wood pellet boiler to meet his family’s hot water and heating needs.
“This was a poorly insulated property heated with expensive electric panel heaters that barely kept the place warm,” explained Hamid. “Now, on a really cold day, we use a bag of wood pellets costing less than £3.00 for all our heating needs. On a mild day we use half that amount and from April to September the Sun should meet all our hot water needs for free!”
Hamid was speaking after extensive insulation was installed and Rudge Renewables fitted two solar thermal hot water panels and a 12,000 kW biomass boiler. The renewable heat systems were supported by grants of £1050 for the solar thermal panels and £2750 for the biomass boiler. These reduced the overall costs of the systems by about 30%. Further savings will be made when the long awaited Renewable Heat Incentive is introduced. This is the renewable heat equivalent of the solar PV feed-in tariff and should repay the cost of installing systems over a 7 year period.
Hamid described his experience with Transition Streets and their installation partners, Rudge Renewables, favourably. “Transition Streets made it all very simple and Rudge did a really good job, were very professional and friendly and inspired confidence.”
Other homes around Totnes have installed renewable heating systems just in time for the cold weather with support from government grants won by Transition Streets – and there are still a few grants available for systems that can be installed by the end of March 2013! If you would like to be considered for a grant contact Mary Popham as soon as possible on 07815 799996 or marypopham@btinternet.com
Transition Town Totnes 