SUSTAINABILITY PART 2


The Green Deal


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parttwo


Is energy generation in older homes cost effective? Gordon Miller says “yes, it can be!”


ast month, I looked at whether it is possible to retrofit a property to make it more sustainable, eco friendly and cost efficient. The


conclusion was yes, beginning with insulation, draught exclusion and generally plugging the ‘gaps’ around the home. This month, I am going to focus on


domestic energy generation from renewable sources for the residential sector: solar, ground and air source heat, biomass, wind and micro-hydro. Agents selling homes may not think this


new trend (and need) for energy generation is anything to do with their job – but it is. Homebuyers are increasingly aware that energy is becoming more expensive and will start to view older homes as less cost efficient than new build. Renewable energy has become big


business, in fact it’s a huge enterprise and one the British Government is banking on to revive UK Plc and power us out of the current economic malaise. Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Rt. Hon. Chris Huhne, MP, in a recent speech, noted that in this financial year alone almost £1.7bn in renewable energy investment and over 9,000 jobs in regions the length and breadth of the UK have been created. Speaking at an annual conference of the


renewable energy industry, in Manchester on 26 October, Mr Huhne said, “Renewable energy technologies will deliver a third industrial revolution. Its impact will be every bit as profound as the first two. The revolution has already begun, from the Western Isles to the Isle of Wight. Across the length and breadth of Britain, new companies are creating new


34 DECEMBER 2011 PROPERTYdrum


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