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The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Do solar panels increase your home's value?
One of the first things people ask their solar panel installers when beginning the purchasing process is do solar panels increase home value? And if you ask your favourite search engine the same question, you are likely to get an answer that sounds very comforting, with some websites touting gains of as much as 14 per cent of your property's value. However, this can vary by region. The truth is a bit more complex, of course. The short answer to this question is almost certainly yes. That's because it's very unlikely that adding something that would give your home's new owner some free electricity for a few decades would make that home less attractive. But the question you are really asking is: by how much? And this is a much harder question to answer. How much do solar panels cost in the first place? The cost of solar panels depends on the size of the array. The table below will give you some indication, with array costs taken from a survey of installers conducted by The Independent and energy prices from the Energy Saving Trust. Household size System size in kw Array cost Electricity cost per year before solar Savings (energy used and sold from panels) Price after solar (negative means a surplus) Pays for itself after 3-bed 3.6kw £4,990 2,900 kWh @24.5 pence = £710 £540 £170 9 years 4-bed 5.4kw £5,470 2,900 kWh @24.5 pence = £710 £780 -£70 7 years 5-bed+ 9.9kw £7,390 2,900 kWh @24.5 pence = £710 £1,370 -£660 5 years When can I see a return on my investment? The table above tells you that with a bigger array you can get a return on your investment in as little as five years, but more like nine for smaller installations. To do the maths we are using an address in London, assuming a family of three and typical use — no heat pumps, high daytime usage or electric car charging. Other assumptions include no shade on the panels and that someone is in, using power for about half the day and an export price of 15 pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh). Other than a new inverter, no other maintenance costs are assumed, and no financing costs are assumed. The roof is roughly south-east facing. Much will depend on what price you get for your exported electricity. Tariffs vary widely. If you keep on top of things, however, you should be able to secure the 15p/kWh rate used in our assumptions. Much will depend on what price you get for your exported electricity. Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariffs vary widely between suppliers, from around 2p/kWh to over 15p/kWh. If you keep on top of things, you should be able to get a competitive rate. How energy prices affect the ROI of solar panels Energy prices have a huge impact on the return on investment you get from solar panels. In 2021, a solar array might have taken 12 to 15 years to pay for itself. But by 2023, thanks to soaring electricity prices, that payback window fell to as little as five to nine years. Even with prices now stabilising, they remain well above pre-2020 levels. If you're able to use a large proportion of your electricity during the day — for example, by running appliances or charging a battery — you can dramatically increase your savings. The Energy Saving Trust has a handy calculator you can use to ascertain your savings from having solar panels and the ROI on your investment. Do solar panels increase home value in the UK? A good way of tackling this question is thinking about home improvements in general. Ones that are critical, like fixing a leaky roof, are likely to generate good returns since the home will be very unattractive without the work being done. Similarly, a loft conversion or extension which makes the useable size of the home bigger will increase a home's value in a fairly reliable way. But optional improvements like solar panels are harder to quantify. This is for a number of reasons. Firstly, the idea of owning a home with solar panels is still a fairly new one. It won't be like weighing up the value of an extra bathroom or a new kitchen for most buyers. Without research, most people won't know the value of a solar setup. Secondly, as you can see from our guide here, owning solar panels and managing them well does take a little effort. You need to set them up correctly to get paid for the electricity you don't use, and you may need to switch tariffs each year. It's hardly a second job, but it does take some time. Not everyone will see that as a plus. And although most homeowners spend very little time looking at their own roofs – or even roofs in general – they can divide opinion on aesthetics. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, making a firm estimate on any improvement is difficult, and those trying to do so are often trying to sell those improvements and don't come from a place of neutrality. You can't sell the same property twice at the same time, once with panels and once without to show how much value they add. Other, bigger factors such as the state of the housing market or rising or falling interest rates will make a far bigger impact on house prices than a £7,000 solar installation. In short, these estimates have very little to back them. Most people will see cheaper electricity bills as a plus, but they may struggle to put a price on that, especially when buying a home is partly about taste and emotion, rather than pure numbers. Those expecting that an investment of one sum will boost the price of their house by more than that sum will probably be disappointed. That's because buyers who want a solar array can just get their own. Fitting them does not cause the mess or inconvenience of a new kitchen or bathroom, and they don't improve the look or feel of the home either. So you aren't doing the next owner such a massive favour. For more on this, read our guide on Are solar panels worth it? How location within the UK affects solar performance and property value It's important to remember that solar panels are not equally effective across the UK, and this can affect your ROI on the investment. Factors like roof angle and sun exposure vary by region and, crucially, so does house price growth. Southern England sees significantly higher solar yields than northern Scotland, thanks to better sun exposure. Meanwhile, homes in higher-value regions may see more uplift in absolute terms, but percentage-wise, returns are still modest. Local planning regulations or conservation area restrictions may also limit what kind of installation is allowed. What else affects the value that solar panels add to a home? While there's no guaranteed uplift in property value when getting solar panels, the following factors can make a difference: Age and condition of the solar system: newer panels are more efficient and more attractive to buyers. Presence of a battery system: homes with battery storage can reduce reliance on the grid even further, improving appeal. SEG or legacy FIT tariff details: if the home still benefits from the now-closed (and more generous) Feed-in Tariff scheme, that may increase its value. Aesthetic impact: panels integrated flush with the roofline are often more desirable than bolt-on systems. Documentation and maintenance: a well-documented system with clear records helps reassure buyers. Should I add solar panels solely to improve my home's value? In other words, spending £5,000 or £7,000 on a solar installation may well add a similar amount in value — but whether solar panels increase home value depends on many factors, from energy prices to buyer demand in your area. Even if there was a good estimate for the improvement in the value of your house that solar panels could make, you ought to think twice before using it for the same reason that movements in the UK's average house price might not apply to you. That is because your house's price might not behave like the average house's price. You could easily spend £7,000 and see your house price drop, not because of your investment but because demand in your area has fallen or the cost of borrowing has risen. Here's the most useful advice: don't buy solar panels for your home if all you want to do is improve its sale price. Do buy them if you want to cut your energy bills.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
How to keep your yourself and your home cool in hot weather
When temperatures soar, here are six simple things you can do to keep your home and yourself cool. 1. Let in cool air and encourage air flow Open windows on opposite sides of the house to encourage air flow - releasing trapped warm air and allowing in cooler this when the air temperature outside is cooler than inside, which tends to be overnight or in the early part of the day. In flats which have windows on one side only, open doors and use a fan to encourage air rises within houses, so if you have loft vents or windows you can open them to release some of the hot air can otherwise get trapped on the second floor, where you may be trying to sleep. Extra insulation can also help keep heat out in the summer, as well as reducing your energy bills and usage in the winter. 2. Keep warmer air out during the day In the heat of the day it is best to keep your windows shut and blinds or curtains closed - especially on the side of your home where the sun is shining. 3. Use a fan to enhance the breeze Fans are a relatively cheap and energy efficient way to keep air moving and can help you stay a freestanding fan for a 24-hour period typically costs between 15p and 31p, according to the latest guidance from the Energy Saving the fan in front of an open window can encourage the fresh air from outside to be blown throughout the room - as long as it is cooler ice cubes in front of the fan can cool the air being blown in your direction. You can use more than one fan to create a cross current. Prof Mike Tipton of the University of Portsmouth says it is important to understand how the body works. "Fanning the face improves thermal comfort most, but fanning the whole body helps lower body temperature more," he he warns that using a fan when temperatures are above 35C may make things worse, as you are ultimately just directing hot air towards your conditioning is a much more expensive option than using fans. The Energy Saving Trust says 24 hours of continuous use costs between £4.84 – £6. 4. Limit hot activities Ovens and cookers emit a lot of heat into the home during and after their to cold foods such as salads - especially during the hottest times of the day - can stop unnecessary heat being appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, can also produce heat so try not to use them when it is hottest. Heat exhaustion can also be brought on by high humidity - moisture in the air - so it is worth reducing humidity levels by:taking shorter and colder showerswiping excess water from surfacesmoving indoor plants outside 5. Cool yourself down Tepid showers can help to cool your body temperature, saving both money and energy. But Prof Tipton warns not to go too cold: "The trick is to try and get the skin as cool as possible whilst maintaining maximum blood flow to it."Too cold and the body will shut down blood to the skin and trap the heat in the body making it harder to get out."Putting an ice pack or cold-water bottle on your body can achieve an instant feeling of relief. You may want to wrap it in a towel to avoid direct contact with your clothes can also really affect your body temperature. Natural fibres like cotton and linen help to regulate body temperature and loose-fitting clothing allows room for the breeze to cool you is also why cotton bed sheets can help you sleep when hot air fills a room. 6. Find an alternative space Air-conditioned public buildings such as libraries, leisure centres and shopping centres can also provide relief if your home is too local authorities have created a network of so-called "cool spaces" where the public can go, including London, Manchester and simple ways cities can adapt to heatwaves
The Sun
11-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
The key mistakes you're making with your fan and it could be costing you £111 a year
KEEPING your home cool in the summer months can be a bit of a challenge. Many households turn to gadgets to help keep their pad feeling comfortable when temperatures are rising but beware as these can add a lot of money to energy bills. 1 The typical cost of running a fan is relatively low, no matter whether you opt for a bladeless model or more traditional style portable fan. For 24 hours of continuous use, you'd expect to pay between 3p and 7p through energy costs, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Even if you continuously used a fan over June, July and August it would add, at most, around £6 to an energy bill. However, with hotter weather more people are opting for air conditioning units. These appliances circulate air around the room in a similar way to a fan - but also remove heat from the room. Air con units are far more expensive to run than fans - typically 20 times as much, according to the EST. You're looking at paying up to £1.30 for 24 hours of continuous use. Over the course of a month that would be around £39 and over the summer months, £117. There are some easy ways to make sure you're getting the most out of a fan to keep your home cool so you can avoid other pricier gadgets, according to consumer group Which?. Here are the mistakes to avoid... Forgetting the ice Your fan can help cool a room faster if there is ice of cold water placed in front of it. To make this trick work best, you want a bowl filled to the top with ice and the fan blowing air directly on to it. This will make your fan feel a little more like an air conditioner without the added cost. Location, location, location If it's cooler outside, placing your fan next to a window will help draw in colder air helping to bring down the temperature in your home. This could work especially well in evenings when it's usually colder outside. Make sure it's facing the room and leave the window open. If you have another window in the room and another spare fan, you could further help push air out of the room by facing it out of the window. This will help create a crosswind in the room. Pre-running a fan Some may think that having a fan on in your bedroom before bedtime could be a good way to cool a room. But in reality you're wasting energy as a fan only creates a breeze which feels cooling rather than lowering the temperature. It's not a good idea to leave a fan running when you're out or not in a room either from a safety aspect. Not cleaning up Get the vacuum out to suck up dust and dirt in a room before turning on your fan. The gadget will blow air as well as dust and pollen particles around the room. This can aggravate allergies. If you're using your fan for the first time this year, it's worth giving it a clean. Follow the manufacturer instructions and clean blades gently if you're able to. It's a good idea to store your fan in a box or bag during cooler months to stop them gathering dust. Choosing the wrong fan As the name suggests, desk fans are usually best placed on a desk or table. They will then help you feel cool if you're working next to it. These gadgets are not too powerful and won't create a really strong breeze. So unless you're sat at the table, opt for a pedestal or tower fan which is designed to reach a larger distance in the room. How to save money on summer essentials SUNNIER days and warmer weather will leave many of us wanting to kit out gardens and outdoor areas. Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a great deal on summer essentials… It pays to know how to bag big savings on the likes of hot tubs paddling pools, egg chairs and outside bars. Many retailers have flash sales across entire ranges – often this ties into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends. Sign up to the mailing lists of your favourite brands and you'll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. Keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items such as beach gear and paddling pools. If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart and leaving it for a couple of days. Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount. Always check if you can get cashback before paying. It's especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you'll get a nice kickback.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Call for recruitment to support solar panel drive
A solar panel company has called for a recruitment drive to support a government announcement for mandatory panels on the the majority of new-build homes from 2027. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the move was "just common sense" and solar panels would save the typical household £500 a year on energy bills. The regulations will require developers to add panels unless the buildings fall under certain exemptions such as being covered by shade. Terry Hayward, managing director of Solar Select in Droitwich, said the move could lead to issues with getting skilled labour in place. He said: "In 2027 companies will gear up for it and start their own in-house training, but obviously it helps if it's government-backed for apprenticeship schemes." He also said it was important the buildings had a "sensible amount" of panels fitted. "I'm sure the industry will welcome this move," he said. "What we'd like to also see is a sensible amount of panels put on there." Solar panels, or photovoltaics, capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity to use in your home. According to the Energy Saving Trust, domestic solar panels are generally about 3.5kWp (kilowatt peak) - meaning they typically generate that much power at peak conditions. The government said the new rules would be included in the Future Homes Standard published in the autumn but there would be a transitional period for developers to adjust to the regulation changes. North Herefordshire's Green Party MP Ellie Chowns said she was glad the "government had seen sense" on making solar panels mandatory but was also cautious. "We should be making sure they're properly insulated, we should be making sure they're flood resilient, and [that they're] prevented from overheating," she added. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Most new build homes must have solar panels - Miliband Energy Saving Trust
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Call for recruitment to support solar panel drive
A solar panel company has called for a recruitment drive to support a government announcement for mandatory panels on the the majority of new-build homes from 2027. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the move was "just common sense" and solar panels would save the typical household £500 a year on energy bills. The regulations will require developers to add panels unless the buildings fall under certain exemptions such as being covered by shade. Terry Hayward, managing director of Solar Select in Droitwich, said the move could lead to issues with getting skilled labour in place. He said: "In 2027 companies will gear up for it and start their own in-house training, but obviously it helps if it's government-backed for apprenticeship schemes." He also said it was important the buildings had a "sensible amount" of panels fitted. "I'm sure the industry will welcome this move," he said. "What we'd like to also see is a sensible amount of panels put on there." Solar panels, or photovoltaics, capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity to use in your home. According to the Energy Saving Trust, domestic solar panels are generally about 3.5kWp (kilowatt peak) - meaning they typically generate that much power at peak conditions. The government said the new rules would be included in the Future Homes Standard published in the autumn but there would be a transitional period for developers to adjust to the regulation changes. North Herefordshire's Green Party MP Ellie Chowns said she was glad the "government had seen sense" on making solar panels mandatory but was also cautious. "We should be making sure they're properly insulated, we should be making sure they're flood resilient, and [that they're] prevented from overheating," she added. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Most new build homes must have solar panels - Miliband Energy Saving Trust
