For the past two years Nigel and Janie from Nottinghamshire have been producing their own solar energy. Thanks to regional charity Groundwork Five Counties, the couple are now selling their excess energy to the National Grid and are set to save up to £6,500 through the charity’s free Green Doctor money-saving advice.
Nigel is a retired ventilation specialist with a keen interest in all things energy. Some years ago, he noticed only 15% of homes in his village had solar panels and passed his findings to his MP. Soon after, the local council installed solar panels on selected properties they own, including Nigel and Janie’s home.
The couple track the production and usage of their solar energy through a phone app and have seen a sharp decrease in their bills. To become even more energy efficient, their landlord offered them a free visit from the Green Doctor, an energy and money-saving expert from charity Groundwork Five Counties.
Nigel said: "Green Doctor Mike told us things we never knew, like how you can sell excess energy produced by your solar panels to the National Grid through a scheme called Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). We signed up and it’s estimated to give us around £150 a year, which is a nice bonus.
“When we moved in 9 years ago there was already a heat pump, it’s an older model so not as economical as the newer types. Mike helped us to run it most efficiently, something we never were fully able to figure out. He also gave us great advice on keeping a consistent temperature of 18/19 degrees rather than turning the heating up and down. It’s much more efficient and comfortable this way.”
On top of getting Nigel and Janie to make the most of their retrofit installations, Mike helped them apply for a 50% discount on their water bill through the Anglian Water LITE tariff which they are eligible for due to Nigel’s numerous health conditions.
Nigel added: “Mike said that because of my disabilities we are also eligible for the Attendance Allowance benefit, which could be up to £118 a week. So, a two-hour visit from the Green Doctor has resulted in us being around £6,500 a year better off, which is just fantastic. We can’t thank Mike enough!”
The free Green Doctor advice service is always bespoke to people’s situations and needs. From retrofit advice before, during or after installation, to energy and money-saving tips, preventing damp and mould, energy debt advice, and much more.
It is fully funded by the Cadent Foundation’s Stay Warm Stay Well programme and is available in the East Midlands to people of any age or income, whether they own their home, rent, or are a council or social housing tenant.
For more information and to get a free home visit, visit the website.
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