First Passivehaus for affordable rent built in Pittenweem

The eco-friendly house has been designed as a modern family home and various renewable technologies have been incorporated into the design and specification, which will have a positive environmental impact and reduce energy costs.

The experimental Kingdom House is being piloted as a 'sustainability house', to test different technologies and determine which elements could be incorporated into future affordable housing projects. The three-bed, highly energy efficient, detached family home on a plot of land at Station Court, Pittenweem, was built using a very highly insulated modern timber panel system which was fabricated in the factory, with pre-installed windows and doors. Read more about it on Kingdom Housing Association's website

Feed in tariff promises big returns

 
  • From April 1st the new 'Feed in Tariff' is giving householders wanting to install renewable energy more of an incentive than ever before.
  • FIT promises to pay householders per kWh generated, whether that electricity is used by them or put back on the grid.
  • For some technologies this could mean hundreds or even thousands of pounds a year, offsetting current energy bills and in some cases even making the energy suppliers write the cheques to you!
  • The introduction of the feed in tariff has, however, brought about the end of the householder grants scheme which was offering 30% discounts on renewable energy technologies. Despite this the consensus is that householders will be better off financially with this new system than they were with the old grants system
  • Currently FIT is only operational for electricity producing renewables such as wind, PV and hydro. A renewable heat tariff is due to be introduced in April 2011 which will cover heat pumps, biomass and solar thermal.
  • For more information see www.fitariffs.co.uk

More people to benefit from EAP

 
  • The Energy Assistance Package which can provide grants to replace or improve heating and insulation in Scottish homes has broadened its criteria to include families on benefits with children under 6.
  • Previously the scheme only accepted applications from families with children under 5, so this move to include anyone with a child under 16 will mean thousands more families become eligible.
  • People over 70 and on certain benefits also qualify for help under the scheme. If you need assistance and are not sure if you qualify speak to your local energy champion or contact Energy Saving Scotland on 0800 512 012

Solar for £1650

Solar thermal
  • Fife council are working with the Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre to provide solar water heating technology at an unprecedented low price of £1650*
  • This price includes the panel, hot water tank and pump and is available to all householders in Fife regardless of status or income.
  • The scheme is set to continue until the end of May 2010 but householders are encouraged to get their applications in quickly as the take up has been very high so far.
  • Contact your energy champion or call 01334 659368 for more information.
  • *supplements of £100 may be payable in some parts of Fife to cover travelling time.
Copyright 2009 ENLEN. All rights reserved. Last updated 31 March 2011