The Beginner’s Guide to Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating is a luxurious addition to any home, and it comes with some excellent advantages in terms of efficiency when compared to traditional heating methods. Complete Renewables is a leading supplier of underfloor heating in Essex and the surrounding area.

What is Underfloor Heating?

Underfloor heating is a highly efficient alternative to traditional heating methods, and it can be specially designed to work with renewable energy sources heat sources. It is likely that underfloor heating will result in less heat loss for your household than radiators, or warm air central heaters

Why is Underfloor Heating so Efficient?

Heat rises, so installing your heat source at the lowest possible point in the room is a great way to maximise heating efficiency. Researchers estimate that underfloor heating is 40% more efficient than using a radiator. Using energy efficiently is great news both for your wallet and for the environment. It means that you spend less and you get more bang for your buck.

Underfloor heating works well with almost every type of flooring, though it is a good idea to check with a professional beforehand. Floors of a certain thickness are best for achieving optimal heating efficiency. Underfloor heating works well with tiles, carpet, and most other materials you can think of. The feeling of a warm stone floor against bare feet is a wonderful winter treat! Underfloor heating also spreads warmth evenly across the room, and almost never requires maintenance.

What are the other Advantages of Underfloor Heating?

You can either use an underfloor heating system by itself or in conjunction with a radiator. If you choose to go without a radiator, then you can make the most of the free space and focus on your home’s design. It’s easy to create a beautiful minimalist look without a radiator using up wall space.

Underfloor Heating Installation

It is possible to fit underfloor heating retrospectively, though you would probably get best results from installing underfloor heating in a new-build. At Complete Renewables, we specialise in installing underfloor heating that uses either an air source heat pump or a ground source heat pump. The good news is that both of our heat pumps provide efficient renewable energy and qualify for a Government Renewable Heat Incentive which means that you’ll be paid for the renewable energy you produce over 7 years.

If you would like to learn more about the various government incentives in place that reward renewable energy home improvements, then you should either read our comprehensive guide on saving money with Renewable Energy, or give us a call on 01621 827015.

Everything You Need to Know About Solar Hot Water

Solar hot water systems are an efficient and sustainable way of heating water for your household. We look at the different types of Solar hot water systems available, and how to minimise maintenance costs.

What is Solar Hot Water?

Solar hot water systems use solar energy to heat your household hot water. They are a renewable energy technology that can reduce your water heating bill by around 60%. Solar hot water systems are fantastically efficient, and most of them work without problems for decades. There are two main solar hot water systems in common use today: solar thermal panels and PV solar panels.

What are the Differences Between Solar Thermal Panels and PV Solar Panels?

Solar thermal panels use the sun’s warmth to heat some of your hot water. Fluid inside the solar collectors absorbs warmth before being pumped to the hot water cylinder. This heated fluid is used to heat your water to the desired temperature.

PV solar panels use sunlight to generate electricity. Solar photovoltaics (PV) cells capture the sun’s energy even on cloudy days – they don’t need direct sunlight to work. The electricity generated is cheap and sustainable. Rather than export energy that isn’t used in the home, this energy is diverted to the immersion in the hot water cylinder, effectively producing hot water for free.

What are the Maintenance Cost of Solar Hot Water?

Senior researchers have estimated that the maintenance costs of solar hot water systems runs at as little as 2% of the installation cost per year on average. Many solar hot water systems work without problems for decades. However, as with all energy generators, there is a small chance that a fault may develop.

It’s worth remembering that sooner is better when it comes to solar hot water system maintenance. If you have reason to think that there may be a fault, don’t wait to see if things get better by themselves, get a professional to take a look as soon as possible. Minor faults are cheap to repair, but there is a chance that they can become much more expensive problems if they aren’t seen to quickly.

PV solar panels require almost no maintenance. Solar thermal panels need a little more maintenance as the moving fluids and piping should be checked by a professional every three years or so.

How to Keep Solar Hot Water Maintenance Costs Low?

It’s important to hire a trusted professional for the initial installation. A badly installed solar hot water system is likely to develop problems and require higher maintenance costs. That is why it is worth paying a little more up front to get it right the first time around.

Another reason to use an established professional is because you know that they will still be around in a few years time should you need any repair work done. If a fault develops in your system, then it is best to use the same people who originally installed the system to fix your problem. Companies are reluctant to fix solar hot water systems installed by other companies because the model may be very different to what they are used to working with. If you use a newer company to install your system and then that company goes out of business, then you could find yourself in a difficult situation where no one will fix your system.

DIY Solar Hot Water Maintenance

Though you should hire a professional to do most of your maintenance work, there are a few things that you can do yourself if you feel confident enough.

Check for Shading. Take a quick look to see if any vegetation has grown to the point where it is shading your solar hot water system.
Check for Dusting. If dust is covering your panels, then they won’t be running at maximum efficiency.
Check for Damage. It’s worth taking a look for damage every now and again. If you see cracks, corrosion or leaks, then it is time to call a professional.

Complete Renewables are the leading suppliers of solar heating systems in Essex. If you would like to know more about solar energy, then you can either read our guide to debunking myths about solar energy, or contact us on 01621 827015.

How to Teach your Kids About Renewable Energy

solar pv

It may be the parents who make the financial savings by switching to renewable energy, but it’s our kids who will be the real winners if we are able to prevent climate change and demonstrate a sustainable way of living.

It’s important that we teach our children about renewable energy, from solar panels to ground source heat pumps, and it is never too early to start. Here are some free resources to get your children into sustainability!

1. Touchstone Energy, “Kid’s Energy Zone”

An extensive and fun resource that covers almost every aspect of the climate change debate, with particular focus on the need to reduce our reliance on conventional energy supplies. This website comes is full of games and contains enough worksheets to keep the little ones busy for an hour or two.

This resource is great for young learners.

2. How Stuff Work, “Resource for Teachers”

Another site listing a bunch of excellent resources for teachers, this site is generally geared towards U.S. audiences, but the renewable energy is message is the same internationally! They also have a number of their own articles on green issues, such as this cool piece on the immediate impact of renewable energy.

The How Stuff Works website has resources for learners of all ages.

3. BBC, “GCSE Bitesize”

There’s no excuse for not doing your revision, thanks to this free website from the BBC. An invaluable resource for children taking their Geography GCSE, Bitesize explains the differences between non-renewable fossil fuels, and types of renewable energy, such as solar heating and solar hot water systems.

This is a resource aimed at students studying GCSE level Geography.

4. Prince’s Rainforest Project, “I am Tomorrow”

This colourful resource from the Prince of Wales tackles not only deforestation of the rainforest, but also highlights the importance of solar power for schools, exploring the necessity of solar heating systems and solar thermal panels on our public buildings.

This resource is aimed at Secondary School students, but there is something for everyone on the site.

5. British Council, “Green is Great”

These comprehensive worksheets encourage discussions about sustainability and alternatives to fossil-fuels. They outline various steps Britain could take to significantly lower its carbon emissions by 2050, and allow students to see the pros and cons of different energy sources, including solar hot water and wind turbines.

The website is designed for upper-intermediate English language learners, but the discussion is relevant to everyone.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, or even a student, do you know about any cool resources for learning about renewable energy that we missed?

Solar panels being fitted to church roof

How Much Can You Save with Renewable Energy?

We all know that renewable energy is good for the environment, but did you know that it can be good for your wallet too? Not only will you save on energy bills, but a range of incentives means that homeowners are paid by the government for renewable energy produced on their property or for investing in renewable energy heating systems. Want to find out how much you can earn? Read our blog to find out more.

1. Generation Tariff

A supplier will pay you for electricity generated by solar panels on your home – even if you choose to use all of it yourself! The going rate for approved solar panels, and at Complete Renewables we are always happy to check eligibility, is 14.9p per kilowatt-hour, which averages out to £540 per year on a typical system, according to Money Saving Expert. Nice!

2. Export Tariff

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, there’s a bonus 4.6p for every kilowatt-hour that you don’t use – or ‘export’ back into the grid. Under the current system, most energy suppliers don’t bother to fit you with an export/import meter to calculate exactly how much you export back into the grid. Instead they assume that you export 50% of the energy your solar panels produce – meaning additional bonus savings of £90 per year on average, even if you use all the energy for yourself.

3. Energy Bills

It’s no secret that energy bills are predicted to rise massively over the next twenty years, as we continue to rely on ever-dwindling stocks of fossil fuels. However, this means that for those who invest in solar panels, savings will rise massively too! The Energy Saving Trust estimates that the current rate of saving for a typical family is £125 per year – good now, and it’s only going to get better.

4. Complete Renewables’s Summer Sale!

We are currently offering PV Solar Panels for under £6,000 to some customers in our summer sale, meaning that now is a great time to invest in solar panels. Our typical 4 Kilowatt system will earn you a profit of £1,600 in your first ten years, and an incredible £7,600 in the second ten years! This represents a healthy 14% investment, which is good for both the planet and for your finances.

5. Renewable Heat Incentive

The savings and incentives don’t end with solar panels. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is the world’s first long-term financial support programme for renewable heat. The government will pay you between £600 and a massive £2,300 to invest in a renewable heat source, including solar heating system and ground source pumps.

Solar thermal heating nets you £600 with the RHI, in addition to providing a family of four with up to 65% of their hot water needs, according to STA. If

you are a household of two, no need to panic, we can fit you with just one solar thermal panel, which provides you with free solar heated water for 70% of your hot water needs.

Interested in Saving Money and the Planet Yet?

How often do you get a chance to both make money and help the planet both at the same time? Renewable energy is a win-win move, so contact Complete Renewables today and see how much you could save!

Debunking Myths about Solar Energy

Contrary to what you might have heard, solar energy is a reliable and viable source of power. Even with the increasing popularity of solar panels, there are still many myths about solar energy which need to be debunked.

Myth 1: Solar Energy is Expensive

Not true! Actually, solar power is cheaper than both coal and nuclear power.

Firstly, the negative impacts of burning fossil fuels for energy, such as water pollution, climate change and human health problems, result in a huge amount of hidden costs. Solar power doesn’t cause any of these problems.

Secondly, non-renewable energy has input costs. For instance, you need to buy or mine coal for a power plant to generate electricity. Renewable solar energy, on the other hand, has no input costs. Sunlight is free after all.

Myth 2: Solar Panels Can’t Provide 24/7 Electricity

Also known as: there’s not enough sunshine in the UK. Not true!

Solar panels don’t actually need direct sunlight to work. Though they might be up to 50% more effective with strong rays, solar panels are still able to generate enough energy from cloudy skies. Not convinced? Germany are the world’s leading solar power producer, and you can’t say that they’re known for their tropical weather!

Myth 3: Installing Solar Power is Complicated

Not true! Most solar companies can sort that for you.

Once you have a quote for solar panels, which is free from most companies, they can answer all your installation questions. Companies providing solar power, like us, can take care of permits, inspections and all that paperwork before installing the panels on your roof or elsewhere for you. No need to worry!

Myth 4: Solar Power Doesn’t Really Work

Not true! It’s already working in countries around the world:

Germany: Renewable energy accounts for 25% of Germany’s electricity and they are aiming for 80% renewable energy by 2050.
Spain: Spain is the world leader in solar thermal power (CSP). In 2012, Spain had a capacity of 1GW, which is 65% of the totally installed CSP capacity in the world.
China: Solar power and wind power generated 104 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in China in 2012.

Myth 5: It’s too Early to get Solar Power, it Still Needs Improving

Not true! Solar power is not a new technology any more.

Solar power technology is actually over 100 years old. The difference between then and now, is that solar power is now viable. Solar power technology has developed massively in terms of efficiency and cost reduction. In fact, now is the perfect time to invest in solar power!

Now these terrible myths have been debunked, are you thinking about switching to solar energy?

Why is Renewable Energy Needed?

The world is dependent on fossil fuels for it’s energy supply. Currently, fossil fuels account for 80% of the world’s energy consumption. However, fossil fuels take millions of years to form and our reserves are depleting rapidly. This means that fossil fuels are non-renewable resources and society needs to find an alternative energy supply.

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is energy which comes from a natural source and is not depleted when used. Renewable energies include wind, wave and solar power. In the UK, we have copious amounts of wind and waves, and a little bit of sunshine, available to us. Why not make the most of that? The UK is currently making good progress with more people wanting to install solar panels on their roofs and wind farms being set up around the country.

There are many reasons for society to switch to renewable forms of energy.

Fossil Fuels are a Finite Resource

Fossil fuels are running out fast. Unfortunately, the world’s infrastructure is reliant on fossil fuels. They power electricity plants, heat our homes and provide fuel for our cars. Eventually, fossil fuels will run out entirely or become too expensive for people to afford. But you can’t change energy resources overnight! Switching to renewable energy takes time.

Fossil Fuels Contribute to Climate Change

Research shows that burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change, often referred to as ‘global warming.’ Though there is still more research to be done, we know that releasing so much carbon dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere is causing severe weather problems. These include melting polar ice caps, wildfires in the USA and heat waves across Europe and in India.

Scientists are saying that to avoid catastrophic changes to the planet, we must start reducing greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels in the next 10 years…

Renewable Energy is Better for the Environment

Fossil fuels not only cause climate change, but are also damaging the environment through land, water and air pollution. An example of this is air pollution caused by burning coal. Burning coal releases fine particles that can cause respiratory health problems if they are inhaled. These pollutants become part of the water cycle and create acid rain, which pollutes water, ruins land and corrodes buildings.

Arguably, renewable energy sources also affect the environment. For instance, wind turbines can impact migrating birds and dams can disrupt ecology of surrounding areas. However, the negative impacts are far less than those of fossil fuels and renewable energy is undoubtedly better for the environment overall.

Renewable Energy makes Economic Sense

Renewable energy not only makes environmental sense, but also economic sense. By switching 70% of the planet’s electricity production to renewable alternatives, Greenpeace estimates the world’s economy would save $180 billion per year.

The renewable energy industry is increasing employment opportunities worldwide and is gaining a lot of investment. In Germany, renewable energy accounts for a quarter of the nation’s energy consumption. As a result, renewable energy industries have created 380,000 new jobs. In the USA, solar power workers currently outnumber coal miners.

Renewable Energy can be Self-Sufficient

Currently, people are no control of their energy supply. They can chose which company to purchase their electricity from, but they have no means of creating their own energy supply. With renewable energy systems, people can have complete control.

The average person is able to buy their own solar thermal panels or an air source heat pump for their own home. Being in complete control of your energy means that you are not affected by changes in price or shortages from electricity or gas companies. In fact, installing solar panels can shave £223 off your annual electricity bill. With renewable energy, you can be entirely self-sufficient.

Renewable Energy is the Future

Renewable energy is the only way forward. There are many benefits of switching to renewable sources, primarily the fact that non-renewable energy sources will run out and there won’t be any other option. Renewable energy will never run out, and will therefore be able to supply our children and their children with the energy they need.

Mitsubishi Ecodan Air Source Heat Pump

Mitsubishi are one of the most established manufacturers of air source heat pumps. The Ecodan range is recognised as one of the best performing models in the market. Complete Renewables are accredited installers of Mitsubishi air source heat pumps. Our engineers have been trained by Mitsubishi themselves to ensure our installations are of the highest quality.

Why choose a Mitsubishi Ecodan?

The Mitsubishi brand is synonymous with high quality manufacturing. This translates to average lifespans of between 15 to 20 years. Also worth considering is that air source heat pumps require less maintenance than comparable gas central heating systems.

The Ecodan range is also specifically designed for the UK market. This is important as the efficiency of heat pumps vary depending on their climate. The flow temperatures and coefficient of performance (the amount of energy created against electricity used) will vary with variations in external temperatures. With this in mind Mitsubishi have created a heat pump that is able to function at temperates as low -25⁰C

A range to suit all needs

The Mitsubishi Ecodan range includes models from 5kW through to 14kW. The broad spectrum allows for the selection of a model which closely meets your heating requirements. Furthermore we are to connect more than one heat pump should more power be required. For example recently we’ve completed a property requiring 28kW of heating. This required two 14kW units.

Specifying Your System

As an experienced installer of renewable energy, Complete Renewables are happy to provide a full quote for customers interested in a Mitsubishi Ecodan air source heat pump. Our free of charge specifying service includes full heat loss calculations for your home. Using this information we can accurately predict your future energy usage, enabling us to determine your financial savings.

Renewable Energy For New Builds

Designing which renewable energy suits your new build can be a tricky task. You’ll want to ensure that the technology brings a real benefit to the new home whilst keeping costs down. Furthermore it’s not always clear which technology will suit your build.

Complete Renewables have developed a new service for developers, architects and self-builders. Working from your initial plans we’ll advise which type of renewable energy will suit your needs.

We’ve developed our service with two intentions

– Firstly to provide a quick and clear picture of which renewable energy sources are suitable for a property. We’ll let you know exactly which technologies can be installed, the total savings for the future home owner, cost of installation and any government incentives available – such as the Renewable Heat Incentive or Renewable Premium Payment

– Secondly, in response to building regulations, we’ll make sure you meet your required level of renewable energy. Whether you’re interested in simply meeting the minimum requirement, or looking for a longer-term reduction in carbon footprint and energy costs.

How Our Service Works:

We’re experienced at dealing with planning stage drawings. From your drawings we’ll create detailed heat-loss calculations. Combined with the dimensions of your project, we’ll be able to ascertain exactly which renewable energy suits the development. Furthermore we’ll provide predicted heating/running costs and earning from government incentives such as the Renewable Heat Incentive and Feed-in Tariff.

There’s no charge for this service, and no obligation. All we ask is that you consider our proposal when installing your renewable energy

Some Information About Complete Renewables Ltd.

We are an established local business supplying and installing renewable energy throughout Essex. We are fully MCS accredited and work to the standards set out in the Renewable Energy Consumer Code.

We are certificated installers all the main renewable energy companies, including Dimplex, Mitsubishi, Samsung and Vallaint

Samsung Air Source Heat Pumps

Samsung air source heat pumps have become increasingly popular with our customers over the last year. Reasons for this include the simplicity of design; a monobloc system requires very little maintenance for fuss free performance, extremely efficient energy use and excellent value for money.

Simplicity of Design

When choosing a Samsung heat pump we recommend using the Samsung EHS Monobloc range. Within this range there are two models; the RC090 MHXEA – a 9kW unit and the RC161 MHXEA – a 16kW unit.

The advantage of a monobloc system

Monobloc systems benefit from low levels of maintenance. The unit is self-contained so does not require the additional plumbing of an internal unit. As a result the homeowner will not require regular servicing from an F-gas certified engineer. Furthermore as monobloc unit is external it won’t take up valuable storage space within the home.

An aggressive pricing structure

Samsung are keen to expand their market, to accelerate this process they are pricing their heat pumps to be amongst the cheapest on the market. Recently we’ve installed a 9kW air source heat pump in Essex for under £4,500 – this includes full installation, set-up and VAT.

For More Information

If you’d like more information on Samsung air source heat pumps installations in Essex, please contact us via the phone number above. Alternatively, you can follow this link to our air source heat pump page and enter your details using our online form.

We’re happy to provide full heat loss calculations for your existing or new home. Using these we can recommend the best product to suit your needs.

Visit the Samsung EHS Mono webpage for more information

Helping New Builds Reach Their 10% Renewable Energy Target

The 10% renewable energy requirement is part of the national planning guidance and is enforced in regions. Put simply; 10% of a new build property’s energy requirements must come from a renewable source.

In reaction to this we’ve developed our new renewable energy specification service. Working from your architectural drawings and plans, we calculate a property’s expected heat loss. From this we design a heating system capable of providing a home’s warmth coupled with low energy bills. As part of this specification service, we’ll ensure the systems provides at least 10% of the renewable energy for the build.

Furthermore if you’re looking to reach your 10% target within a tight budget, we can specify for this also. For example a two panel solar PV or solar thermal system is inexpensive and may meet your needs.

As a business who works closely with a broad range of develops and self-build projects we have the experience necessary to ensure renewables complement rather than complicate your project.

Adding a renewable energy source to your project includes a number of benefits. Firstly, living cost for the new home owner will be reduced dramatically. Heightened public awareness of renewable energy coupled with the continuous rise of energy bills has led many home buyers to actively look for these technologies when buying a new home.

Secondly renewable energies provide an immediate positive impression. Developers we work with will make use of the hot water a solar thermal system can provide to encourage a purchase. Anyone viewing the property will be able to feel hot water flowing from the taps, whilst the immersion heater is turned off.

Thirdly renewable energies provide an impression of high quality and value. This combined with the look and feel of a new build creates a compelling combination.

If you’d like any further information, please get in contact. Either by phone, email or through our contact form.