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Renewables

Everyday we can use an alternative to fossil fuels and reduce our fuel bills. We all need to look at ways to reduce the use of fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions. Renewable energy products can help us. The latest advances in technology allow us to use natural energy. We can offer you:

 

Solar Thermal Hot Water Systems

Solar collectors use UV rays and direct sunlight to generate heat even on those British cloudy days. The heat is then used to heat hot water stored in the site cylinders. Evacuated tube collectors are often said to perform better than flat plate collectors as they are able to operate at higher temperatures than flat plates. However it is often just a case of customer preference.

We can design, supply and install a solar thermal collector that will contribute towards the heating of the hot water used on the proposed site. We can offer a maintenance package and can often help to fault find and service our competitor’s products, when requested. Popular questions with regards to the solar collector are often:

What size Will I require for my home?

An average collector measures 2m square.

Will the collector work on dull days and will I have enough water?

The collector operates of ultra violet rays, not just the direct sun days and it is supplied with a thermostatic system to support your requirements with a back up system.

Are they expensive?

An average 3 bedroom home will start from around £ 3,500 but our surveys and advice is free of charge.

Will I need to change my cylinder and boiler?

Not necessarily, call us and tell us what equipment you have and we can answer this question professionaly.

We have trees surrounding our property will that affect the collector’s performance?

Yes, the more sun available the better the performance. However are the trees all round the property, how high are they, we would need to view or see some pictures to answer this one.

Photovoltalic (PV) Systems

Photovoltaic cells are used to convert solar energy into an electrical energy. Most common PV Systems tend to be based on a silicone fluid. When cells are exposed to the sun, direct currents flows through the panel and can be used for your electricity. The cells in the flat plates are low voltage, but when they are combined, the power becomes useful.

Consideration needs to be made as to the type of roof you have? How much space you have?
Is the roof structurally strong enough? Cables need to be run to your power supply where can they run?
If looking at the PV market you spend X and have a 1 KW system installed, but with the outlay on scaffolding, labour, installation and design, it is beneficial to you to look at the extra outlay to size up, in order to take advantage of your roof and the Government led Feed in Tariffs.

Feed in tariff (FIT) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

The Feed in tariff run by the government is designed to encourage the uptake on renewable energy technology/micro energy systems. A rate of payment is offered back to you for adding electricity to the national grid by using photovoltaic systems/micro combined heat and power systems. The FITs have been set at fixed rates by the Government and lasts for a period of 25 years. As a country we are legally bound to increase our use of renewable energy by ten fold within the next decade, which is why this scheme exists. You have the system installed, you use some electricity at a set rate, you have electricity that you, are unable to use, it is not stored, but runs to the national grid and you have a meter and get paid for the power. Info: Subject to changes.

RHI will be launched in April 2011

Utility companies will have to pay owners of renewable energy systems a set amount for the energy they generate and use on site, and a certain amount for surplus energy that is sold back into the grid. Hopefully these schemes will reduce the threat of having to import energy, which is our countries fear.

 

Air to Heat Pumps

WHAT ARE AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS? - An alternative to conventional boilers.

They absorb heat from the outside air and use a refrigeration process to transfer this low grade energy into high grade energy used for heating and domestic hot water. They are an ideal application for underfloor heating.

Air Source Heat pumps should cover the heating requirements of such a property, in all but the most extreme conditions. When used with an immersion heater, heating and hot water needs should be met. The hot water temperature can then be boosted as required. A well insulated property is required in order to achieve the best results.

This is a system that draws in air to efficiently heat or cool a room. A cost effective renewable solution. They tend to be the same size as a boiler, often stored outside a building and in simple terms it is very much like how a fridge works. The refrigerator draws in air from the outside which is cooled and then uses a fan to move the air around. Such as Nibe and Kensa pumps. They are highly effective with underfloor heating systems.

Smart Energy Meters

Knowledge is a great thing, so why not install a smart energy reader? A meter can be put into such a position to high light locally when the power on site is increased and decreased. This might make people think twice about turning the heater on, or turning a light on and off. Energy providers should be supplying house holders these in the near future, however they are available.

Ground Source Heat pumps

If you have a large garden or outside area, ground source heat pumps should be given some consideration. Trenches are required and coils are used to draw heat from the ground. The pumps will collect the energy that is stored in the ground and use this to heat hot water in a cylinder. They work on the same principle as the Air to heat pumps. They should be considered on new builds or site refurbishments.

Grants

You may be able to get financial assistance to help make energy improvements to your home or business. Grants tend to be available from local County Councils, Government Schemes and it is worth looking at your energy supplier for the possibility of savings. Feed in tariffs should be explored, tax incentives should be considered such as vat is a reduced rate on renewable energy installations.

We are a member of the Government backed Microgeneration scheme as a registered MCS, installer. However please note a criteria will need to be met for your application.

For a free quotation or advice call 01622 746693

Address Irwin Smith Ltd
Boreen, Heath Road
Boughton Monchelsea
Maidstone, Kent
ME17 4HR

Telephone Number 01622 746 693

Email Address info@irwinsmith.co.uk

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