The Scottish Government launched the Conserve and Save: Energy
Efficiency Action Plan on 6th October 2010, with a
headline target to reduce total energy consumption by 12 percent by
2020.
15% of all heating costs could be lost through an un-insulated
loft, whilst a third of heat loss occurs through un-insulated walls
according to the Energy Savings Trust. So before specifying your
wood fuel heating system, you should look at any steps you can take
to improve energy efficiency within your buildings. Having a
well-insulated property is important in maximizing the
benefits of your renewable energy system.
Energy efficiency should be the first consideration, as
retrospective fitting of energy efficiency measures after the
installation of a woodfuel boiler will result in your boiler being
oversized and subsequent labouring of your equipment. The cost of
your boiler will also be higher than necessary since it will no
longer be required to run at full capacity. Overall,
insulation and other energy efficiency measures offer a lower per
unit cost reduction to heating bills than that which can be
achieved through the installation of renewable energy
technologies. When combined with the installation of wood
fuel boilers, energy efficiency measures may reduce the overall
cost of switching to woodfuel.
Support is available for businesses, households and public
sector energy efficiency measures. The Carbon Trust
and Energy Savings Trust can provide energy
assessments and interest free loans for energy efficiency measures
for households and businesses. The Central Energy Efficiency Fund
provides support for public sector organisations.