Knowledge Hub

We want to make sure that you know everything you need to know about our services. Our knowledge hub covers FAQ’s below about our services in Green Energy.

How does the Workplace Charging Scheme work?

The scheme is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and eligibility criteria. The scheme is beneficial to all in the workplace. Employees can charge their cars as they work, and as a business, it means that company cars can be topped conveniently.

The Workplace Charging Scheme covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of £350 per socket, with 40 sockets across all sites per applicant.

The Workplace Charging Scheme also has other benefits including:

  • Save up to £14,000 on purchase and installation costs
  • Reduce employee Benefit-in-Kind tax for company cars
  • Reduce company fleet and employee carbon emissions
  • Aid company sustainability goals
  • Boost employee morale and help to improve staff recruitment and retention.

What are the benefits of electric car charging stations for employees?

Electric car charging stations provide a means for employees to charge their cars during their working hours. It’s especially beneficial to employees who don’t have a driveway to have easier access to EV ownership and encourages the use of electric cars.

If an employer offers free charging at the workplace, this is an added incentive for recruitment and retention.

What are the benefits of electric car charging stations for employers?

The Workplace Charging Scheme is available for all businesses, and this includes:

  • Registered charities and small accommodation businesses
  • Owners of commercially let properties
  • Small to medium enterprises (SMEs)

There are a few conditions that will need to be met to be eligible for the scheme, including having off-street parking with enough space to install charging stations to being registered with Companies House or having VAT registration.

How do I apply for the scheme?

You’ll need to head over to the gov.uk website to fill out the online application form. Once the form has successfully been submitted and the eligibility checks have been completed, you’ll get an email with a unique voucher code. This code will be valid for six months and can be given to any OZEV-authorised installer like ourselves.

The voucher will need to be used before its expiry date. Once the charge point installation has been completed, the installer will claim the grant from the OZEV on your behalf

  • Cost Savings: Solar panels can significantly reduce or even eliminate your monthly electricity bill, helping you save money over time.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable source of energy, reducing carbon footprint and helping to fight climate change.
  • Increased Property Value: Solar panels can increase the value of your property, making it more attractive to potential buyers.
  • Energy Independence: Solar panels give you the ability to generate your own electricity, reducing dependence on the grid and ensuring uninterrupted power supply.
  • Government Incentives: Governments offer incentives and tax credits for homeowners who install solar panels, making it more affordable.
  • Low Maintenance: Solar panels require very little maintenance, reducing long-term costs.
  • Energy Security: With solar panels, you have a reliable and secure source of energy that can power your home even during blackouts.
  • Long Lifespan: Solar panels have a long lifespan and can last for several decades with proper maintenance.
  • Job Creation: The growth of solar energy creates job opportunities, supporting local economies and communities.
  • Social Responsibility: Installing solar panels on your property is a responsible choice that supports sustainability and a cleaner planet for future generations.
  • We have direct access to a various number of available options for the financing of your solar system, including funding the 100% net cost of the system up to £500,000. Working with a various number of our trusted partners including:

    Shawbrook Bank

    The Carbon Trust – this includes the opportunity for you to access a free capital contribution of up to £10,000 towards the costs of renewable technologies for your business

    Interest Free Loans to businesses in Wales (up to £200,000) & NI (up to £400,000) for the purchase of renewable energy equipment through the Carbon Trust.

    We can offer fully funded commercial solar projects under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). This agreement provides electricity at a discounted rate to the end user, which can assist with long term financial planning, with annually capped inflation rates, and long term protection against ever rising energy rates.

    0% VAT

    What does 0% VAT mean?

    For the next five years, there’s no VAT to pay when you have energy efficient measures installed in your home. This means that you can benefit from insulation, solar panels and heat pumps at a reduced cost with no VAT to pay.

    The move is designed to encourage the installation of green technologies to help  homeowners save hundreds of pounds on installation costs. 0% VAT on energy efficiency measures will be in place until 31 March 2027, and there are three energy-saving technologies included in the scheme.

     

    What do I pay 0% VAT on?

    • Solar Panels

    Generate electricity for your home and save you money on your electricity bills. Any spare energy generated from your solar panels can be exported back to the grid so you can receive payments under the Smart Export Guarantee.

    • Heat pumps

    Heat pumps are a renewable heat alternative and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), you can save up to £6,000 on your heat pump installation and also benefit from 0% VAT.

    • Insulation

    Home insulation is one of the most effective ways you can reduce heat loss in your home. With the addition of insulation, you’ll save money on your energy bills and keep your home warmer for longer.

    Boiler Upgrade Scheme

    The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is one of the ways the UK government is hoping to meet the net-zero emissions target by 2050. The scheme will support the installation of heat pumps in England and Wales only. The new BUS scheme replaces the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which ended on 31 March 2022.

    The BUS scheme will apply to homes and small non-domestic properties in England and Wales. There will be an install capacity cap of up to 45kW. The new grant will be offered to help property owners overcome the high upfront cost heat pumps.

    Who will qualify for the BUS scheme?

    The BUS scheme will have a budget of £450 million over 3 years, running until March 2025 and will provide grants of:

    • £5,000 towards the costs of air source heat pumps and biomass boilers
    • £6,000 towards ground source heat pumps.

    The remaining cost of the installation is to be paid by customers. To be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you will need to meet these requirements:

    • You must be a homeowner or small business owner
    • Your property must be in England or Wales
    • The building must have a valid energy performance certificate(EPC) issued within the last 10 years. If not, you will need a new EPC certificate


    How to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

    Up to 90,000 homes and buildings across England and Wales can apply for the scheme. Vouchers are first come, first served, so get in touch with our team today to find out more.

    Vouchers will expire after 3 months for ASHPs and biomass boilers, and 6 months for GSHPs.

    If the voucher can’t be redeemed within the time frame, it can be reapplied for.

    Smart Export Guarantee

    What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?

    The Smart Export Guarantee, also known as the SEG tariff, is a government-backed initiative that launched on 1 January 2020. The SEG scheme provides payments for those who export excess electricity back to the National Grid. This means that if you generate electricity at home from the sun or wind, you can sell any energy you don’t use back to the grid – rather than see it go to waste.

    The Smart Export Guarantee is not to be confused with the Feed-in Tariff (FIT). The SEG replaces the FIT scheme which ended on 1 April 2019 for new applicants. So, if your home or business is generating more electricity than you use, you could be eligible for Smart Export Guarantee payments.

    How do I apply for a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff?

    Big energy companies will pay you for the renewable you put in the grid, and they set their own SEG tariff prices. They must pay more than zero, but there can be big differences between the best and the worst tariffs so it’s always best to shop around first.

    To be able to apply for an SEG tariff, you’ll need to have one of the renewable energy technologies below:

    • Solar photovoltaic systems.
    • Hydro power.
    • Onshore wind
    • Micro-Combined heat and power
    • Anaerobic digestion

    Turning your combi boiler flow temperature down to 60°C could save you up to £100 a year

    Flow temperature is the temperature of the water that your boiler sends to radiators. Reducing flow temperature isn’t the same as lowering your thermostat and won’t noticeably reduce the temperature of your home but may increase the time it takes to reach the target temperature on your thermostat.

    If you are over 65, or have pre-existing health conditions, you may want to set a slightly higher flow temperature of 65°C to ensure your home warms more quickly.

    Nesta have more information on lowering your combi boiler flow temperature setting – take their Money Saving Boiler Challenge.

     

    Turning down radiators in rooms you aren’t using or use less could save you up to £70 a year

    When you’re not using rooms, turn radiator valves down to between 2.5 and 3 (roughly 18°C). While you are using a room, increase the temperature to a comfortable level by turning the valve up. Turning off radiators completely in rooms you are not using is less energy efficient as this means your boiler has to work harder to increase the temperature again than if kept at a low setting.

    People over 65, children under 5 and those with pre-existing health conditions are more vulnerable to cold temperatures. Make sure you are warm enough and have a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C to ensure you protect your health while maintaining comfort.


    Turning appliances off at the socket could save you up to £70 a year 

    Almost all electrical appliances in your home, such as computers, televisions, smart devices and video game consoles, draw power continuously unless unplugged. Turn off the power switch at the socket or unplug appliances from the socket when they are not in use.   

    Washing clothes at a lower temperature could save you up to £40 a year 

    Modern washing machines can clean clothes effectively at lower temperatures. Changing from 40°C to 30°C means you could get 3 cycles instead of 2 using the same amount of energy, depending on your washing machine.

    Using your tumble dryer less could save you £70 a year

    Tumble dryers are one of the most energy-intensive devices in the home.

    Use your tumble dryer less frequently by ensuring you have a full load, around three-quarters of the drum. Or use a clothes airer to dry clothes outside, or inside with a window open for ventilation. You should also avoid overfilling your dryer as this could lengthen the drying time.

    Closing all your curtains and blinds at night

    By closing your curtains and blinds, you can help stop warm air escaping through windows and reduce heating costs, especially if you have radiators situated below your windows.  

    Track your energy usage using an app

    If you have a smart meter, there are apps which are free and allow you to track your hourly energy use over days, weeks, months or years.

    This can help you find the best ways to reduce usage and save on your energy bills in a safe and manageable way.