Jigsaw Homes
Bridging Hope, Powering Lives
The Problem:
We were approached by Jigsaw Homes to help tackle the ongoing battle of fuel poverty. Fuel poverty is the condition of being unable to afford to keep one's home adequately heated, a household is in fuel poverty if it needs to spend 10% or more of its income on energy to maintain a satisfactory heating regime. Consequently, following the persistent rising energy costs; tenants at Jigsaw Homes were faced with a choice – heating or eating?
How Is Fuel Poverty Measured?
The government measure fuel poverty using the Low Income Energy Efficiency (LILEE) indicator. Under the LILEE indicator, a household is considered to be fuel-poor if they are either living in a property with a fuel poverty energy efficiency rating of band D or below or when they spend the required amount to heat their home and they are left with a residual income below the poverty line. Additionally, the three elements that determine whether a household is fuel poor is their household income, household energy requirements and fuel prices.
Fuel Poverty Impact On Health
Cold homes can cause or worsen a range of serious health conditions including heart attacks, strokes, bronchitis, and asthma. Fuel poverty is known to have a significant impact on mental health and is a known risk factor for suicide. Each year, around 10,000 people die as a result of living in a cold home. Furthermore, cold homes also prevent children from thriving; without a warm place to do work, it can have a dramatic impact on their progress at school. A lack of hot water means they might avoid personal care which could lead to bullying and isolation. With no warm space to spend time with friends and family, they can spend hours of the day alone in bed separating themselves from the wider world.
Fuel Poverty Statistics
As evidenced in the link below, fuel poverty is constantly rising and so we at Helix 50 made it our priority to bring bills down for good by using renewable energy.
Assessment:
Research Into The Behaviours And Attitudes Of The Fuel Poor
We were given a list of homes that were suffering from fuel poverty and so we fulfilled assessments to find out whether their home was eligible for funding and if their roof had an appropriate amount of space for PV. When carrying out this assessment, it gave us a much better understanding of who the fuel poor are, how their experiences might differ from those not in fuel poverty, and how this impacts on, or is impacted by, energy and heating use in their homes. The assessment also explores issues such as engagement with energy consumption and bills, relationships with energy providers and landlords, and where the fuel poor seek support and advice. To assess whether a household is in fuel poverty requires detailed information on household income, household composition, building energy efficiency, energy type used and how it is paid for. This was another challenge we had to overcome as such detailed information can be difficult to obtain.
Key Findings:
Heating The Homes:
Those that we determined to have a higher likelihood of being in fuel poverty differed in their heating behaviours in a number of ways, for example, they were less likely to have a comfortably heated home and more likely to still be cold with the heating on. Overall, there was a difference in perception between what householders think uses most home energy and what in reality does so. Higher likelihood households were less likely to think of heating as the main user of energy.
Installing Energy Saving Measures:
Higher likelihood households were less likely to be aware of what can be done to make their homes more efficient. Furthermore, higher likelihood households were more likely to say they would like to make energy saving improvements but can't afford to do so. Those struggling with bills in general were the least likely to be able to make contribution towards improvements, highlighting the multiple challenges facing fuel poor households in making energy efficiency improvements.
What Are Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)?
Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a building is and give it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). When social homes have a rating of D and below, they may be entitled to funding from the council for PV energy. Additionally, they tell you how costly it will be to heat and light your property, and what its carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be. An EPC will also include information on what the energy efficiency rating could be if you made the recommended improvements and highlights costs effective ways to achieve a better rating. EPCs are valid for 10 years from the date of issue. The benefits of an EPC are that they understand the energy performance of your home, identify any areas for improvement and make changes to save money and reduce emissions.
Is The House Suitable?
Unfortunately, not every house is suitable for solar panels. Various factors, such as orientation, structure, and material of your roof play a crucial role in determining its compatibility with solar panel installation. For example, a south-facing roof is typically the most optimal choice for solar panel installation due to its prolonged exposure to the sun's rays at their most intense. This orientation ensures that solar panels can absorb the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day, translating into higher energy generation. However, this doesn't exclude east and west-facing roofs. Another example includes the roof size and layout; for a 4KW solar system, you would approximately need 28 square metres of clear, unobstructed roof space. It's crucial to consider any potential obstructions on your roof, such as skylights, vents, or chimneys. Therefore, we make sure to inspect the property before starting a proposal.
Proposal
We are proud to have been the first company in the UK to supply specially sourced solar panels (UKSol) to help combat fuel poverty. At Helix, we secured 60% of the funding for Jigsaw Housing, enabling us to install more PV (photovoltaic) systems on more homes. We determined that a combination of solar panels, battery storage, and an air-source heat pump would be the most effective solution for households struggling with fuel poverty. This approach maximizes energy generation at the lowest possible cost.
Why Solar Panels?
Energy Independence
Solar power offers energy independence by reducing reliance on foreign energy sources and the National Grid. This strengthens energy security for individuals and lowers vulnerability to the price fluctuations we experienced in 2022 and 2023. By adopting solar energy, households contribute to a decentralized and more democratic energy system, allowing them greater control over their energy production and consumption.
Reduced Electricity Bills
One of the most significant financial benefits of solar power is the reduction in electricity bills. With solar panels, tenants can generate their own electricity, decreasing their reliance on the grid and reducing their monthly utility costs. For those in fuel poverty, this means access to clean, affordable energy at a fixed price.
Low Maintenance & Reliability
Solar power systems require minimal maintenance compared to other energy generation methods. Regular cleaning and occasional inspections are generally all that’s needed to ensure optimal performance. Solar technology is reliable, with matured systems offering minimal risk of downtime. For those affected by fuel poverty, this provides a dependable, low-maintenance energy solution that delivers consistent energy for decades.
Why a Battery?
Long Life Span
Solar batteries are designed for longevity, providing tenants with long-term savings on their energy bills. By integrating battery storage, households affected by fuel poverty can enjoy even greater savings.
Maximize Solar Panel Value
With a battery, tenants can store the excess electricity generated by their solar panels, reducing the need to draw power from the grid when solar production is low. This stored energy comes from sunny days when the panels exceed the home’s base energy needs, allowing tenants to power their homes even when solar production dips.
Environmental Benefits
Solar batteries help reduce carbon emissions by storing excess solar energy, minimizing reliance on fossil fuel-generated electricity. This contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Why an Air Source Heat Pump?
Energy Efficiency
Air source heat pumps boast an efficiency rating of 300%, producing three units of energy for every unit of electricity they consume. By comparison, electric boilers offer only 100% efficiency, and gas boilers peak at 98%. This makes heat pumps a highly efficient option for heating homes.
Results
Here’s an example from a customer who had a solar panel system and battery installed two years ago. During this time, they used a total of 7050.6kWh of energy, resulting in savings of £2,820 in just two years.
This proposal demonstrates how a combination of solar panels, battery storage, and air-source heat pumps can significantly reduce energy costs and provide long-term financial and environmental benefits, particularly for households facing fuel poverty.
Get in touch to see how much we can help and save your business
