Pay for tomorrow’s energy costs at today’s price
A Midlands energy expert said that householders have an incredible opportunity this month to pay for tomorrow’s energy costs at today’s price.
During March the Government is giving a Feed-in Tariff (FiT) subsidy of 21p per kilowatt to residents who install solar panels and receive rebates for the electricity generated giving them an index linked return of 11 per cent tax free.
From April 1 people will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of grade D or above to claim the subsidy which could cost them hundreds of pounds.
Ron Fox, owner at Noreus Ltd, said: “Over the next few weeks there is a great chance to go green and pay for tomorrow’s energy at today’s prices.”
“But from April 1 people will need that certificate to claim that subsidy or receive the lower tariff of 16.5p per kilowatt.
From July 1 all householders who buy solar panels will need the certificate and will receive 16.5p per kilowatt
To obtain an EPC, householders must have some but not all of the following – loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, heating controls, hot water cylinder insulation and a replacement boiler installed.
However, Ron added: “Most residents in older houses wouldn’t get the certificate without spending money upgrading their home.”
He added: “Now is the time to look at installing solar panels as fuel costs have risen by 100 per cent in the last four years and 125 per cent for those who live in the countryside and use oil.”
At the weekend the head of British Gas, managing director Phil Bentley, warned householders that energy bills could rise for the next decade blaming the increases on green taxes and the £100 billion of investment needed to upgrade the National Grid.
He said the cost of green energy tariffs and taxes could add about £140 to the average annual household bill over the next eight years and that people were going to have to be more diligent in saving energy.
Ron said: “We expect a rush of people wanting to put solar panels on their roof before the March 31 deadline.
“This ruling has created a window of opportunity whereby residents who want to go green can grab the higher payments which are inflation proofed for the next 25 years.
“Where else on the High Street can householders get an 11 per cent tax free return on an initial outlay of approximately £10,000 to install solar panels?” he asked.
He said many older people had three main outlays on their pension – food, council tax and fuel.
“They can’t do anything about the first two but they can control the third one,” added Ron. “Many are putting their savings on their roof rather than an ISA as they get a better, index linked return.”
For more details about solar panels ring Ron Fox at 01782 756995 or request a call back.
