With a recent rise in energy prices announced by a major supplier and with others set to follow, many residents have been enquiring as to how they can make savings on their fuel bills and prepare now for the expensive winter period ahead.

I am pleased to inform you that a new grant scheme has recently come to light for insulating solid wall properties with External Wall Insulation. Energy company grants are available through local installer Rockwarm Insulation:

For “Able to pay customers” (not on benefits or over 70 years of age):

3 bed semi house

Typical cost of external wall insulation (£85 p/mtr) – £7,650

Grants Available for External Wall insulation (for homes using the following form of heating):

Gas heating – £737
Electric heating – £1,581
Oil heating – £927
Coal heating – £1,923

3 bed detached house

Typical cost of external wall insulation (£85 p/mtr) – £10,200

Grants Available for External Wall insulation (for homes using the following form of heating):

Gas heating – £1,170
Electric heating – £2,436
Oil heating – £1,471
Coal heating – £3,008

For “Priority customers” (in receipt of certain benefits or over 70 years of age):

3 bed semi house

Typical cost of external wall insulation (£85 p/mtr) – £7,650

Grants Available for External Wall insulation (for homes using the following form of heating):

Gas heating – £984
Electric heating – £2,026
Oil heating – £1,238
Coal heating – £2,566

3 bed detached house

Typical cost of external wall insulation (£85 p/mtr) – £10,200

Grants Available for External Wall insulation (for homes using the following form of heating):

Gas heating – £1,561
Electric heating – £3,252
Oil heating – £1,963
Coal heating – £4,121

Cavity Wall & Loft Insulation

This is also still the most cost efficient way of saving up to a third on your energy bills. Rockwarm are now offering installation for the heavily subsidised price of:

• Cavity walls from £49
• Loft insulation from £49

Please note in many cases you may be entitled to FREE insulation.

For a free site survey please contact Rockwarm on 02476 345554 or FREE on 0800 132689.

Solar Panels for Electricity

The “green-energy” alternative is fast becoming an affordable reality for many homeowners who are capitalising on the cash-back scheme (feed-in-tarrif) which can generate return on investment of over 10% in many cases.

Free Solar?

Several residents have been approached and offered FREE solar panels, but you must be aware of what this really means. Certain companies are offering this and not explaining the full implications. The idea is that the solar panels are installed for free and the homeowner benefits from free electricity when the sun is shining (this would be savings in the region of £127 per annum – as per the example below). However the company installing would be the ones profiting from the installation as they gain the £920 feed in tariff per year for 25 years!

Example installation

Cost of installing your Solar PV system	from £10,000 + 5% VAT
System Size	2.5 kWp
Predicted output (kWh/kWp/Annum)	850
Predicted System output (kwH/Annum)	2125
Feed in Tariff Rate	£0.433p
Feed in Tariff Value/Year	£920.13*
Displaced Electricity Value per Year	£127.50�
Exported Electricity Value per Year	£31.88‡
Total Annual Income (tax free & index linked for 25 yrs)	£1,079.51
Return on Investment (each Year)	10.3%

(*) the cash-back you receive from your Energy Provider (per annum) – (2125 × £0.433 = £920.13)
� the saving that you will make by using your own electricity when the sun is shining (rather than buying it from the national grid) – assumption of using 50% (at 12p per kWh)
‡ the cash back you receive for the energy that you generate and do not use – assumption of selling back 50% (at 3p per kWh)

Stratford Resident – Recent Solar Installation

In September 2010 this customer arranged for Rockwarm to install Solar PV, Solar Thermal and a Boiler swap at her Stratford on Avon home, with fantastic results.

Quotation from Customer

“We have always been interested in the Solar PV especially, and were keen to try and do something proactive for the environmental gain, in terms of the diminishing resource of fossil-fuels. Hence we were delighted to find a cash-back scheme that enabled householders to be able to participate in doing their bit. We were very pleased with the whole installation of Solar PV, Thermal and a new Boiler and the Rockwarm team did an excellent job of efficiently managing the work on site.”

Quotation from the Council – Paul Chapman

“The District Council is pleased that Residents and Businesses are taking up the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint – and make financial savings into the bargain. The Council has been pleased to work with organisations that play their part in reducing the cost of utilities to residents while helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the district too. Rockwarm has been at the forefront of these efforts.”

This promotion is supported by Act on Energy – 0800 988 2881 – a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation and a registered environmental charity. Their purpose is to promote energy conservation by providing free and impartial advice to householders and small businesses in Warwickshire and surrounding areas.

Please contact Rockwarm directly to arrange your FREE home survey on FREEPHONE 0800 132689.