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green ebergy in new houses
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nickj_2
Posts: 7,052 Forumite
as the technology already exists , why are all new houses not fitted with solar heating and panels ?
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Comments
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Lack of cost effectiveness.0
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The trend Nick is towards massive insulation and no heating whatever. Whether it would work in the UK is debateable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_house0 -
The trend Nick is towards massive insulation and no heating whatever. Whether it would work in the UK is debateable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_house
I work in a building which is designed like this. It gets far too hot in the summer so a lot of energy is needed to run fans and air conditioning when its hot.0 -
Not an expert, Scouse. I draw the curtains in high summer and move to cooler rooms.
Suggest to the management maybe something to absorb the heat and convert it to electricity to run the air conditioning fans. No doubt you already have a ventilation heat recovery system.0 -
Surely the buildings arent designed properly.
I have seen buildings on tv where some have passive cooling so no need for coolingthescouselander wrote: »I work in a building which is designed like this. It gets far too hot in the summer so a lot of energy is needed to run fans and air conditioning when its hot.0 -
These buildings were designed with towers that help circulate the air and cool the building.
http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=str18cgx3fm1&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=4297753&encType=1
It was built for the inland revenue in Nottingham, theres an article about it here.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3575/is_n1179_v197/ai_17085342That gum you like is coming back in style.0 -
Mmm...Inland Revenue, they need to be kept cool.
Apparently because of the extra insulation a passive house will be 25% smaller for the same money.
Probably government policy to phase in new measures, protect investment. Trying to bring an old property to passive standards is impossible.0 -
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=14932
Despite Cardew's sceptisim the cost of photovatics has been dropping over the last few years and is becoming cost effective. The above article is interesting.
I have no vested interest in solar other than I have some panels installed. I agree that will take years to pay fo themselves.0 -
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=14932
Despite Cardew's sceptisim the cost of photovatics has been dropping over the last few years and is becoming cost effective. The above article is interesting.
I have no vested interest in solar other than I have some panels installed. I agree that will take years to pay fo themselves.
You shouldn’t confuse scepticism with lack of interest.
If – hopefully when – solar energy becomes financially viable, I will be at the head of the queue to get it installed.
Also as we have discussed before, you have the knowledge and interest in alternative energy to be something of a pioneer in this field. Mr Average hasn’t and unless the Government regulate effectively, he will doubtless become fodder for the cowboys making outrageous claims and charging outrageous amounts for installation.
My definition of ‘financially viable’ and ‘payback period’ is that it has to cover the loss of interest on any capital invested in the installation.
So a solar array costing as low as £5,000 will need to produce electricity, that I can use,(or sell) worth approx £250 pa just to cover interest – then we start considering payback times.
Given the average household is purported to use 3,300kWh pa in UK(approx £300) – and much of this when the sun has set! I doubt if solar will ever be viable in UK. If prices really reduce dramatically I can see some use in applications for running Aircon in Nevada.
As ever, if anyone wishes to install these systems to save the world from global warming or whatever, that is entirely their prerogative.
P.S.
Can you please give some figures to support your claim that it is "becoming cost effective"0 -
I work for a house builder and we are currently attempting to build a "6 rated house" as a test case. This means it will have 0 carbon emissions. It is something which has never been achieved by any other mainstream building company (although probably by individuals). The estimated extra cost is about £30,000+. People simply will not pay that much more for a simple 3 bed house. They would love these extra features but the cost is prohibitive.
People are correct in saying that companies get on the bandwagon and have begun to charge hugely inflated prices for energy saving devices knowing people want to do their bit. The energy efficient house will not be available to the average homeowner for a very long time, the cost negatives will always outweigh the environmental benefits for the average purchaser.0
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