Latest news with #solarpanels
ABC News
5 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Demand for energy efficient houses growing across Australia, Domain report finds
Energy efficient houses are a "must-have" for a growing number of buyers, commanding a premium price in markets across the country, property experts say. The demand is reflected in real estate advertising with half the homes currently for sale touting some sort of energy efficient feature, according to a new report from the property website Domain. North-facing homes, double-glazed windows and solar panels are all attractive features that offer year-round comfort as well as smaller energy bills, the report says. Domain's chief of research Nicola Powell said much of that demand is being pushed by "middle Australia", especially with energy prices set to rise for half a million homes and businesses across from July. "It does appear that middle Australia is really driving the uptake and driving the price premiums for a more energy efficient home," Dr Powell said. At a house inspection in Brisbane's south, real estate agent James Austin said buyers had been asking about energy efficiency more and more, particularly for new builds. He said solar panels, solar hot water and energy efficient lighting were commonly asked about. "I know the price of housing is very high, but maybe if you spend a bit more at the start you can save in the long run if the house is energy efficient," he said. In Brisbane energy efficient homes on the market are attracting almost 20 per cent more views online, according to the report. Dr Powell said for prospective buyers anything that could reduce costs in the long-term was becoming more of a priority. In Queensland suburbs, including Calamvale in Brisbane's south and Robina on the Gold Coast, houses are selling for up to $300,000 more than non-efficient homes, according to the report. It said energy efficient units sold for almost 10 per cent more than non-efficient units. North-facing homes — which provide passive heating in winter and reduced cooling needs in summer — boost the price of a house by $375,000 on average across the country, the report said. Solar panels continue to be the most popular energy efficient feature, but don't add as much value. Other features such as roof and ceiling insulation can cut heating and cooling needs by up to 45 per cent. Homes chew up about a quarter of the country's electricity, with disproportionate share taken by homes with "poor thermal performance", that overheat in summer and lose warmth in winter. Dr Powell said the challenge of retrofitting Australia's existing housing stock — 70 per cent of which was built before 2003 — is also an opportunity for policymakers. "If you're thinking about putting in double-glazing or solar panels, it does come at a hefty cost. Having the right policies in place to drive that uptake and ensuring our older housing stock are just as efficient will be a step in the right direction," she said. Experts warn renters and low-income households risk being left behind unless more incentives to bring older homes up to modern standards are brought in. Green Building Council of Australia chief executive Davina Rooney said it's important that renters are included. She urged for more schemes like the Queensland plan to offer grants to landlords for solar panels. "We need to make these things more common and drive them across every part of the market," Ms Rooney said. In the ACT all residential property sales and rental advertisements are required to disclose their energy efficiency rating. Expanding that scheme nationwide would be a step in the right direction, Dr Powell said. "That really drives transparency and allows a renter to actually see the potential energy efficiency of that home and therefore the potential running costs."
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
How to get a free boiler or cheap home heating upgrades to cut your energy bills
THINKING about upgrading your home's heating to save on energy bills? Installing things like solar panels and heat pumps can save you thousands of pounds in the long term - but cost a small fortune to install. 1 Help is at hand from new funding schemes to get Britain to Net Zero, but the government has yet to confirm the details. Harriet Cooke glimpses into the future of home heating systems - and the decisions you'll soon be making. Boiler off the boil? Gas boilers in new homes could be banned as soon as next year, it emerged this week. It means newbuilds will be equipped with electric heat pumps or other non-gas heating systems, rather than gas. Those with existing gas boilers can keep on using them and there is no planned ban on selling them. So if you're thinking of getting an old boiler, you can still buy a new more efficient one, which might typically cost between £600 and £2,500 depending on the model and system type. The government's Energy Company Obligation scheme, and The Great British Insulation Scheme (also called ECO+), both provide funding, and you don't necessarily have to be on benefits. Talk to your energy company to see if you qualify. Upgrading an old boiler could save you around £300 a year on gas bills, figures from the Centre for Sustainable Energy shows, and it will last around 10 to 15 years. Case study: 'Our monthly bill has been cut from £90 to £35' Chris Bell, 69, a retired Royal Navy chief engineer, and wife Kim, 68 Chris Bell, 69, a retired Royal Navy chief engineer, and wife Kim, 68, have installed eight solar panels and a solar battery at their three-bedroom home in Gosport, Hampshire. He said: 'We didn't want all our money going on energy bills every month - that was our reason for doing it. 'We've still got our gas boiler for heating the radiators, but the real change for us is having free electricity. 'Our monthly energy bill has gone from £90 to £35, and this includes standing charges and a daily tank of hot water. 'We're also getting payments from our energy supplier for the solar power we sell to the grid, which we estimate will cover a good portion of the winter gas bill. 'The panels, battery and iBoost (a solar water heater) took a day to set up by a local company called EE Renewables and cost us just under £8,000. 'That's a chunk of our children's inheritance, but we spoke to them and they wanted us to go ahead. You hope that it will pay for itself in time, as well as adding to the value of the property.' Pump up your heating The government is super keen on replacing our gas boilers with heat pumps - although uptake has been low. The pumps work by gathering warmth from the air or ground and funnelling it into home radiators using electricity rather than gas. The average British Heat pump installation costs £4,415, after the government grant of £7,500 is applied. As well installing the pump, it may be necessary to fit bigger radiators, new pipes and improve the property's insulation, so planning permission may be needed. Servicing the pump usually costs around £200 a year, and it will typically last around 20 years. Suppliers like British Gas have online calculators to predict your future running costs with a pump, which will vary between properties. Although pumps are three times more efficient than boilers, electricity is four times more expensive than gas - but the price is predicted to fall. Octopus said the average home saves £280 by switching from a boiler to a heat pump run on a Cosy Octopus tariff, although savings can be up £545 depending on your type of home, heat pump, tariff, installation type and if you remove your gas meter. The government is considering plans to subsidise households to lease their heat pump until they paid off the cost, although this might work out to be more expensive in the short term, and for workers to pay for the installation through a salary sacrifice scheme. Solar panels They save money on your bills and can make you cash - but solar panels aren't cheap to install at an average £7,000. A typical household could save between £140 and £340 a year on energy bills — and make extra cash signing up to an export tariff to sell solar electricity back to the grid. This might be between £270 and £400 a year based on a 15p per kWh rate, but some tariffs pay more. The Energy Saving Trust estimates it could take between 11 and 14 years to recoup the cost of installing panels, so it's not a good financial idea if you're planning to move. Grants of up to £14,000 are available from the Energy Company Obligation scheme, but it isn't open to everyone. To be eligible you'll need to have household income less than £31,000 and be receiving certain benefits. Also check out the Home Upgrade Grant and Warmer Home Nest Scheme Wales. Conrad Hart-Brooke, 51, from Leeds Conrad Hart-Brooke, 51, from Leeds, spent £15,000 on 18 solar panels and a storage battery at his home in Leeds two years ago and reckons he'll make the money back in about six or seven years. The civil servant said after that he'll probably be making around £1,500 to £2,000 a year by selling electricity back. Last year he had a heat pump installed for £1,600, after getting a £7,500 government grant. For Conrad, the pump alone would not result in huge savings, he said, but combined with his solar panels and batteries he is saving about £500 a year compared with what he paid with his old combi gas boiler. Heat batteries Heat batteries, otherwise known as zero-emission boilers, are another green option if heat pumps are not suitable for your home. They are currently not eligible for the £7,500 grant in the boiler upgrade scheme or for VAT exemption, which heat pumps get. But the government is considering whether they should be. A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it is monitoring the use of heat batteries in fifty homes as a low-carbon alternative to gas heating, and the results would be published later this year. Common myths around energy consumption Gwilym Snook, appliance expert at quashed some commonly believed myths around appliances and energy consumption. MYTH – Your fridge freezer is cheaper to run when empty A commonly held belief is that your fridge freezer is more energy-efficient when it's empty as there isn't anything to cool. However, the reverse is true – Your fridge will operate most effectively when all its shelves are well-stocked. MYTH – Washing your clothes at higher temperatures cleans them better Most households across the UK wouldn't trust to wash their clothes at 30°C as they wouldn't believe it is an adequate temperature. But in fact, 30°C is more than sufficient for most of your clothes and will significantly help to reduce your energy costs by up to 50 per cent when compared to a 40°C wash. MYTH – Tumble dryers aren't eco-friendly Older models of tumble dryers were indeed energy guzzlers yet this myth that tumble dryers can't be energy-efficient has been blown out of the water in recent years. Enter the heat pump tumble dryer, a specially designed appliance that recycles warm air to dry your clothes at a much cheaper rate than their older counterparts. Did you know that running this dryer will cost 63p a cycle on average? A small fee which can be reduced even further this winter by looking to dry your clothes between 10pm and 8am during off-peak electricity hours. MYTH – Boiling water in your kettle is always energy-efficient While kettles are energy-efficient appliances, did you know it's easy to waste energy when bringing it to a boil accidentally? This can be done by filling your kettle to the brim every time you're brewing up. Instead, try to boil only the amount of water you need this winter. In the long run this small hack can help you save your money! MYTH – Energy-efficient appliances don't make a difference It's often believed that the A-G energy rating scale doesn't make any difference to your overall energy consumption. This isn't the case. Energy-efficient appliances such as those with high A ratings can significantly reduce your energy bills when compared to older, less efficient models. For example, replacing your old fridge-freezer with a newer energy-efficient one could save up to £100 a year on your electricity bills, which in the long run helps it pay for itself!
Wall Street Journal
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wall Street Journal
Now Might Be Time for an EV or Solar Panels, With Federal Tax Breaks at Risk
The heyday of big federal tax breaks for Americans going green could end soon. That means if you're considering buying a new or used electric vehicle or adding solar panels or a heat pump to your home, now is the time to grab the tax breaks.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why You Should Reconsider DIYing Your Solar Panel Installation
You might be surprised to learn that over five million households in the United States use solar energy. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the statistics forecast a bright and sunny future for this renewable energy source that can seriously help reduce your monthly utility bills. By 2030, the number of homes with solar panels will double, and by 2050, the majority of our power grid may be solar-powered. Adding solar panels can have a major impact on your home's value, and because of their growing popularity, DIY kits are becoming more widely available. But according to Bret Biggart, CEO of Freedom Solar Power, because they come with installation, electrical, roofing, and regulatory complexities that require specialized expertise, you should probably reconsider DIYing your solar panel installation yourself. "Installing solar panels is much more complex than it looks," Biggart told House Digest during an exclusive interview. "Mistakes can cause major safety problems, cost a lot to fix, or even void your warranties and incentives." To offset the upfront expense of solar panels, which average just over $27,000 according to Angi's List, there are several federal and state tax credits, utility company rebates, and even incentives that offer payments for solar energy generated by your system. Specific eligibility criteria vary widely. DIY labor costs and grid tie-ins may not always be covered under certain programs. "It's one of those projects where experience matters, and the risks of DIYing your installation outweigh any potential savings," Biggart cautioned. "A professional installer brings expertise that protects your home, your system, and your investment." Read more: The Most Trustworthy And Reliable Appliance Brands, According To Experts There's a lot of information out there about solar panels, and not all of it is entirely reliable. Once you're in the market and begin to do your research, it won't take long to hear about some of the big scams to watch out for with solar panel installers. To avoid the risk of winding up with an unscrupulous company, you may be tempted to purchase a kit and go it alone. But during his exclusive interview with House Digest, Bret Biggart said this impulse could result in serious headaches. "The list of cons greatly outweighs any pros of DIYing a solar installation," Biggart said. Along with safety and efficiency concerns, the solar expert told us many homeowners will struggle with complex permitting processes. "If the installation doesn't meet local codes or inspection requirements, you could face fines or delays, or even be forced to remove the entire system," he explained, adding that hiring a reliable professional is the best way to ensure long-term performance and peace of mind. Potential cost savings are another reason some homeowners may consider DIYing a solar panel installation. But according to Biggart, the risks aren't actually worth it. "You might save 20 to 30% upfront, but it's important to remember the hidden costs," Biggart said. "You will still have to pay for permitting and probably hire a licensed electrician or roofer. And if anything goes wrong, repairs could get very expensive, not to mention putting your own safety at risk." So are DIY solar kits worth it or a waste of your energy? During his exclusive interview with House Digest, we asked Bret Biggart how our readers can determine if they should install solar panels themselves or seek professional help. "Homeowners should consider their own experience, their ability to pull permits, their willingness to take on liability, and how much they value their home's safety and resale value," he said. "They should also think about the complexity of the project itself." The solar expert said that the size of your system, the amount of battery storage, and any additional integrations add a degree of difficulty to the installation process. Biggart told us there's one more problem that DIYers don't realize until it's too late. "Most manufacturers require that their products be installed by certified professionals," he explained. "If you install it yourself, even if you're careful and do your research, you still run the risk of losing protection on the panels, inverter, and even your roof." Whether you hire a professional or DIY, it is extremely important to check with your roofing manufacturer before installing solar panels to make sure your system is installed according to the correct specifications. Biggart told us that professional installers, like those at Freedom Solar, will make sure your system meets both manufacturer requirements and local codes. "Professional installation isn't just the safer choice — it's the smarter investment," he advised. "You really are better off leaving it to the pros." Enjoyed this article? Get expert home tips, DIY guides, and design inspiration by signing up to the House Digest newsletter! Read the original article on House Digest.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Experts warn homeowners to move fast on this cost-cutting upgrade: 'I'm glad to have done it when I did'
Solar energy is popular with homeowners for a number of reasons. It's affordable. It reduces electricity costs, and it's a source of clean energy. But an Associated Press report about the impacts of tariffs on solar panels might make you want to make the switch sooner rather than later. The price of solar panels has been going down since 2010. Many homeowners have also taken advantage of the 30% Residential Clean Energy credit. However, as former Lakewood City Mayor Mike Summers said to the AP, "I'm glad to have done it when I did." President Donald Trump's recent tariff war with China has had several implications, including an impact on solar panels. And it's not just China. A BBC article states that the U.S. Commerce Department is considering a tariff of up to 3,521% on solar panels from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. As much as 80% of solar panel parts come from China, according to the International Energy Agency. In addition, the U.S. imported $12 billion in solar parts from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam in 2023, as noted by the BBC. As much as many would like to see the U.S. as entirely independent, it relies on countries like China for the parts and minerals needed to create solar panels. What we can build in the U.S. doesn't come close to what we get outside the U.S. A Solar Energy Industries Association 2024 report shed light on the U.S.'s exploding growth in solar, which was expected to double by 2029. This was having a positive impact on manufacturing and on our economy. But an increase in tariffs means an increase in costs to customers. Less solar energy means more reliance on dirty-energy sources and, consequently, increased pollution and more warming of the Earth. In the AP article, Columbia University Climate School Dean Alexis Abramson, said that interested homeowners should shop around now for solar. Homeowners can use sites like EnergySage, which lets users compare prices on providers in their area. For the moment, tax credits are still available, though Trump has made it clear he wants to do away with the subsidies. What kind of solar tech would you be the most willing to use? Rooftop panels Community solar A portable solar generator None of the above Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
