feed-in tariff uncertainty draws people to heat pumps

If the recent solar tariff levels uncertainty has made you re-think your renewable energy options, then don't forget about Heat Pumps.

There's currently up to £1250 worth of installation grants available through the Renewable Heat Incentive Premium Payment Scheme (which is controlled via the Energy Saving Trust), and from this October, there will be a similar tariff system to that of pv solar panels, for renewable heat sources.

Heat pumps are either Air source of Ground source, taking their heat source from either the surrounding air or ground (which includes ponds etc).

Working like a fridge in reverse, extracting heat from their surroundings and compressing that heat into the home, they work well even in Winter, and can be used to heat your home or it's water or even boost the input temperature on your central heating and hot water system, so existing boilers work more efficiently and consume less energy.

And there's no doubt that the recent public solar tariff war between installers and the Government has seen homeowner enquiries for heat pump installations grow considerably.

If you're interested in lowering your energy bills or doing your bit for the environment (or both) and the you like the idea of a Government grant towards your installation costs - something you won't find currently available for solar - then heat pumps tick all the boxes and then some.

Could you do with some more car parking space?

Roads are getting busier, there seem to be more cars than ever and closer to home, a new family that moved into a previously empty property have caused parking havoc on our street by bringing 3 cars with them. That's a lot to fit onto an already crowded, residential street in town.

Last year, there were an estimated 31 million cars on Britain's roads but with a quarter of households not owning a car and 45% having just the one vehicle, it's obvious the number of multi-car families is growing. You've only got to look at the number of multi-car insurance products that keep being advertised to believe it.

If you've run out of parking space, but have the room to extend your driveway or perhaps you're parking on the road (wherever you can find a space) but have a garden or other area that could be converted? Then Paving Quoter is the answer to your parking dilemma.

Just by entering a few simple measurements and choosing between Block Paving, Impressed Concrete or Tarmac, our clever website will give you an instant online expectation of cost, without the need for any paving companies to call on you.

Whilst car dealers and electric / hybrid vehicle producers will no doubt be getting excited about the growing number of vehicles out there, for drivers, it can be a frustrating experience to arrive home, only to have to drive around endless streets looking for somewhere to park overnight.

Mind you, I've experienced both 'sides' - though those without would probably gladly swap, being  a multi car family with a driveway usually involves shunting vehicles around because the one car that's needed is always the most hemmed in by later arrivals. If I had a pound for every litre of fuel burnt in just moving cars around outside the house...

Think how much easier life would be if only you had a small turning space available in such circumstances? Even better if it will match your existing driveway material.

Go on! Make 2011 your last year of parking frustration - get your instant online driveway quote today.

p.s Paving Quoter is equally good at pricing patios and garden paths, and if you're thinking of combining a new drive with say, a new pathway, then you'll get bigger discounts for larger overall area. Worth bearing in mind.

This article first appeared in our weekly homeowner newsletter dated 9th January 2012.

Solar Installations more popular since Tariff furore

The recent FiT reductions have done nothing to quell homeowners appetite for installing solar.

And judging by the amount of new solar installers registering on the MCS accreditation website, homeowners will have more choice than ever when it comes to choosing a company for their installation.

The current High Court ruling that December's tariff cuts were unlawful could open the way for a legal challenge, and if successful, a reversal of the cuts until the later review in April this year.

The Government has appealed against the ruling so nothing's going to get sorted very quickly. However, installation prices have fallen considerably and a solar panel installation at the present tariff rate of 21p still represents a good deal for homeowners.

The 21p tariff rate is guaranteed until the 31st March 2012, when the full review is to be carried out.

It's good news for homeowners and installation companies alike, as both can proceed for the next few months with confidence on what the return on their investment will likely be.

If you've been putting off enquiring about your own solar panel installation, ahead of the December review decision, then the time to act is now. During the last few weeks of the previous tariff, we saw many homeowners unable to go ahead with their own installations, due to lack of installers or lack of panel and inverter supplies by the installers.

This article was featured  in our weekly homeowner home improvements newsletter dated 9th January 2012.