Renewable energy sources at home - a guide

 More and more often we decide to use renewable energy sources in our homes. This is of great importance not only in terms of environmental protection, but also because of significant savings on electricity and gas bills. 

Investing in devices that use renewable energy sources can be quite expensive at first, but thanks to co-financing programs it is becoming more and more affordable.

What devices will ensure savings and ecology?

On the market we will find a number of devices thanks to which our home can become environmentally and wallet-friendly. The most important are heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and recuperators.

The heat pump is designed to collect heat from the environment (usually air, but also from the ground or water) and transfer it to the building for space heating or domestic water heating. Thanks to its design, such a system works efficiently even in severe frosts. At the same time, heat pumps are very efficient compared to traditional heat sources, because they consume a small amount of electricity.

Another popular device using renewable energy sources are photovoltaic panels. They convert solar energy into electricity, which is then used to power electrical appliances in your home. In addition, you can buy an energy storage for them, thanks to which surplus electricity, instead of being fed back to the grid, will be stored for later use, e.g. at night.

The recuperator is another device that contributes to significant energy savings at home. It is used to recover heat from the ventilation air, which is transferred to the fresh air flowing into the building, which reduces the need for energy needed for space heating. The mechanical ventilation that accompanies the recuperator helps in the efficient distribution of heat throughout the house.

It is worth remembering about the advantages that the cooperation of these devices gives. For example, a heat pump can be powered by energy produced by photovoltaics, and an efficient recuperator allows you to relieve the pump by retaining heat in the house that escapes through ventilation.

How to carry out thermal modernization of a building?

Constantly rising energy prices mean that more and more people pay close attention to the energy efficiency of their home. In fact, each improvement contributes to saving on heating bills and reducing the negative impact of the house on the environment.

The first step with which the thermal modernization of the building should begin is to perform an energy audit. It allows you to assess exactly where heat loss occurs and what solutions should be used to improve thermal efficiency. It is important to identify all thermal bridges, because they not only lead to cooling down of the building, but can also be a source of moisture and even damage to the structure.

If it has not already been done at the construction stage, it is worth to insulate the house, e.g. with polystyrene. The resulting thermal insulation will help to keep the heat inside, significantly reducing the amount of new heat that the heating system has to produce. Other recommended solutions include the installation of airtight windows that do not allow air to pass through, and thus prevent heat loss. It is worth paying attention to the winter mode in the windows, which, by pressing the sash to the frame, additionally seals the entire structure.

However, not only devices, but also everyday habits help to reduce heating bills. One of the most important issues is proper ventilation. It is recommended that it be carried out as short as possible and without allowing the rooms to cool down. Efficient ventilation allows for quick air exchange without excessively lowering the temperature inside the building.

Subsidies from government programs

High energy prices and increasing emphasis on ecology in everyday life show how important thermomodernization has become. Co-financing of devices that allow to increase the efficiency of houses, and thus large savings on energy bills, is a significant incentive to invest in modern energy and heating solutions.

 

Ecology and saving - summary

Using renewable energy sources has many benefits, including saving on energy bills, improving the air quality in and around your home, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Government programs offer co-financing for the thermal modernization of buildings and the installation of photovoltaic panels or a heat pump, which is an additional incentive to use modern and efficient solutions. If you want to know more about the possibilities of using them in your home, our experts will be happy to advise you.

Is it worth investing in an energy storage for photovoltaics?

Thanks to the energy storage, surplus energy produced during the day can be stored and used in the evening or at night when there is no more solar energy available. This reduces dependence on the electricity supplier and protects us in the event of a power grid failure.

Does a heat pump use a lot of electricity?

The power consumption of a heat pump depends on many factors, such as: the type of heat pump, the ambient temperature, the size of the house and the level of thermal insulation. Compared to traditional heating methods, however, heat pumps are definitely more energy-efficient and ecological.

How long does it take for government funding?

The waiting time for government funding depends on the program under which the application is submitted and can range from several weeks to several months.