Perthshire residents would consider renewable energy generation at home

Jan 8 2010 by Katy Gordon, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

BIG COUNTY residents would consider installing home renewables in their homes but fears about costs are putting them off, new research findings published yesterday have revealed.

In an online survey, 80 per cent of respondents based in Perthshire, as well as Fife and Stirling, said they would consider fitting technology such as a solar panel to their home - but are put off by the perceived cost.

However, two thirds didn’t know that grants are available to help pay for domestic renewable technologies such as solar panels.

Carried out for the Energy Saving Trust, the survey polled 1025 people across Scotland.

The figures are contained in research commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust in Scotland as part of its ongoing drive to encourage more people across the country to apply for grants to help them meet the cost of home renewables.

The Energy Saving Trust – the independent organisation providing free and impartial energy advice to householders – has seen a 1,000 per cent increase in the uptake of home renewables grants over the past six years.

But many people are still unaware that assistance is available.

Mike Thornton, Scottish director, for the Energy Saving Trust, said: “People like the idea of generating their own energy, and if they knew they could get help to meet the costs, they might be more likely to install the technology.”

The average approximate costs of installing home renewable technology are £4,800 for solar water heating, £9,500 for air source heat pumps, £11,000 for wood-fuelled boilers and £14,000 for ground source heat pumps.

The Energy Saving Scotland home renewables grant scheme provides grants to householders of up to 30 per cent (to a maximum of £4,000) towards the installation of small-scale renewables systems in Scottish homes.

For more information on using renewable energy in your home or community contact Energy Saving Scotland’s advice centre on 0800 512 012, or visit its website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland