This month we went to catch up with Margaret Rattray.
She contacted us a year or so ago because one of her storage heaters wasn’t working, and to cut a long story short she now has 2 new storage heaters, 3 new panel heaters and 6 solar panels, all paid for by the government…but more of the funding later.
Old storage heaters have a reputation for letting all their heat out in the morning, well before the heat is needed in the evening. Margaret is delighted that her new heaters are not only far easier to control but are also infinitely more efficient and therefore also cheaper to run. ‘They even look much nicer’, she says. How long did the work take? Heaters, wiring, solar panels – it was all over in about two weeks, and Margaret couldn’t speak more highly of all the workmen who came to install the different parts.
Having started the conversation with heaters, getting solar panels installed as well was a big and unexpected bonus. Margaret doesn’t have a battery, so she does her best to use her solar generated electricity in real time, ie using appliances when the sun is shining or at very least it’s a bright day. For example, it pays to look at the weather forecast and put the washing machine on when it is bright and / or sunny.
Asked if she had any surprises from our initial visit, Meg said that the best surprise was that all this work would be done for nothing. She isn’t on any benefits (just a state pension) and though there are some criteria (householder and the house itself), it is always worth asking the question, as you may too be pleasantly surprised!
If you would like help with the big steps or the little ones, Anna and Tom at Warm Connections would be delighted to chat. Remember, our advice is completely free and there is no catch. 07759 404980, advice@warmconnections.net