Crystal Ball help

Fliss_M

Get em out, spit polish them off, I'd like your views

I live in a 2 bed terrace new build (sept 06) Currently there are 3 of us there but in the future there will be 4 and I dont intend on moving till we can afford a house in the area I want. So we will be there for another ten years mayb?

Am thinking of "A Greener Shade" solar pannels. There free pannels that have to be there 20-25 years. There free because the co gets paid for the electricity going to the grid and I get the electricity I use while the panels opporate for free. They effectively rent your roof and pay their rent with free electricity. Now these will take up most of my roof on the south side. But, with it being new build, the loft is convertable. But I dont know if I would convert it (tho time changes views) But if we did it would mean only a dorma window on the north side and no velux's on the south.

So my question is how will it effect the price of my house (you see why that ball needed polishing now ) Were currently in negative equity, tho if were planning to sell in 5-10 years time I dont think that effects us much. But say we got the pannels, then converted the loft, how badly would the price (or saleability) be effected by no windows on both sides,(especially the south side) only 1 side.

Your views and opinions really. I want to do things that increase the price & saleability of the house, tho with nada budget for the forsee-able 2-3 years (debts then new baby) am over a barrel with the loft. But 20-25 years is a long time, especially when we wont be around for most of that (tho again, that depends on markets)

:rotfl:

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Beware of the man dressed in blue & white

Your great great great grandmother is very please with what you have done

silvercar

Am thinking of "A Greener Shade" solar pannels. There free pannels that have to be there 20-25 years. There free because the co gets paid for the electricity going to the grid and I get the electricity I use while the panels opporate for free. They effectively rent your roof and pay their rent with free electricity

If these were really free, wouldn't they be dotted across the country? I would investigate how "free" these really are.

Fliss_M

there is already a thread on this around (green money saving?) It looks the business. Its just rather then you put up the 12k, get the pannels and the electric co pays you, they pay these guys. Their opporating in south yorkshire and the touching county's. (myself being north notts)

IveSeenTheLight

Fliss_M wrote: »

But, with it being new build, the loft is convertable. But I dont know if I would convert it (tho time changes views) But if we did it would mean only a dorma window on the north side and no velux's on the south.

So my question is how will it effect the price of my house (you see why that ball needed polishing now )

Personally I would see it as an advantage if a property I was considering had solar panels which reduced the utility bills.
Of course I guess a lot will depend if they look unsightly, but nevertheless, I still would guess it would not adversly affect your property price.

With regards to the loft. I'd check again.
I once bought off plan and sold a new build property and certainly the loft was recorded as not being able to convert or even panel for storage.
I believe it had to do with the guidelines for insulation.

CLAPTON

much much will the untility bills be reduced by?
if its only 100 or so then its simply not worth it, is it?

Fliss_M

they estimate half, but the vast amount of electricity I use will be in the evenings as (once he has a job) we both work. But provided I set the dishwasher and washing machine off during the day, theres part of the saving. Hum, how would I calculate that sort of thing?

RenovationMan

You can get electricity monitors that tell you how much electricity you're using per appliance you turn on. I don't think they cost much and they'll tell you how much electricity you're using and you can then base your calcs on more accurate figures.

I was watching BBC news this morning about a normal home that was made into a green house by using solar water heating, water recycling, etc. The first thing they said to do was to insulate everything.

PasturesNew

I think they'd put potential buyers off because by the time you sell they'll be a bit old, might be a bit shabby. Also, if there's a problem with your roof under the panels, you'd be having to pay extra to have them professionally removed/replaced to get your roof looked at.

Also, they would impact on your house insurance probably - check who has the responsibility for them. What if your chimney/similar were to break them, or there were high winds in December and they came adrift and broke your roof. Could be tricky getting to "who pays" and ownership of the problem.

Potential buyers might not like the look of them, or might not want them there with somebody else getting the income. Technology is moving fast, in 10 years' time there'll be a nicer/better solution and your buyers might have preferred the newer/more efficient versions, with them getting the full benefit.

I've no idea really, but I do like to ramble.

Fliss_M

no some excellent points pastures new! Thank you very much!

vivatifosi

Fliss, I've read a lot about companies developing thin photovoltaic film which will be more cost effective in the long run and give greater efficiencies. I've looked at upgrading to solar when such technologies are available as there is the opportunity to cover a greater area for cost and use more marginal surfaces.

I don't think the technology is there yet or is in its infancy, but I'd be concerned about spending out £12k if as nanotechnology grows a cheaper, better alternative will be along within the next 5-10 years that will make existing panels obsolete. I'm only an interested observer btw, so please read into this yourself if this is something that sparks an interest. Also if the company is legit, they should also be able to give you some thoughts on the new tech.