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Energy Savers - solar panels and wind turbines

Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:50 pm
by armster
I've seen you can get wind turbines and solar panels etc these days for a fairly reasonable price. do you guys consider these would add value to the properties or just really a waste of money? I'm 50-50 at the moment to the monetary value......

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 5:04 pm
by kbrownie
Hi armster,
If I you was considering to install wind turbines and solar panels, it would be as engery saving devices and it is unlikely it my improve the value of your house unless it ticks the box of the potential buyer.
So restricting your sales market. I think it takes about 8 years to get your money back in bill savings from these type of engery saving equipment.
If it's a new build it maybe more cost effective to install.
But as a marketing ploy, I wouldn't. Not anti-green, all for saving the planet and I am considering installing solar panels on my new extension ( I think the goverment offer grants) but don't think it would help you sell a property.
Kind Regards
KB

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:58 pm
by sparx
Hi Armster,
90% of our hot water comes from evacuated solar tube type collector, & have had wind generators in the past, so for what it's worth...
I agree with KB, they are not yet seen as a sales point, need managing to get the best from solar panels, ours 'top-out' by midday most good days, by which I mean the temp on tubes gets to 140 deg C too hot to pump so if lots of water used late in day tank cools down but can't be topped up until temp drops to under 105degs, by which time running out of daylight, need to do washing ect. in morning..
My reason for fitting was to pay for my lifetimes hot water 'up front' whilst earning well so lower bills when retired & energy costs much more (as it surely will).
As for wind gennys, my last one 'took off' during gales & landed in neighbours garden, boss lady said no more...
Ugly, noisey, need to get agreement for 2 way metering as none large enough to stand alone & only generate spare energy over night, when your load less than 1kW, don't think yet worth it but may be one day, regards SPARX