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Support from Home Energy Scotland for self-builders

October 13, 2020
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This is the last article in our green self-build guide – a series of articles aimed at self-builders who want to go green and save.

We’ve already looked at:

This week we look at the support available for homeowners looking to install renewable energy technologies to existing builds, renovations and self-build projects.

Free, impartial advice

We are a network of local advice centres covering all of Scotland. Our expert advisors offer free, impartial advice on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, as well as ways to keep warm at home, greener travel, cutting water waste and more.

Our renewables specialists can speak to you on the phone to discuss your property and recommend the most suitable options for generating your own energy. You’ll get a tailored report with all the relevant information you need.

If you have all of the measurements and specifications for your self-build, we can help to model your property in more detail and create packages of improvement options so you can compare different approaches.

Tools to help you work out which renewable technology is right for you

Our website is packed with useful information on renewable technologies. We’ve also got lots of online tools that can help you work out which renewables might be right for you.

Get started with our Home Renewables Selector, an interactive tool that gathers data about the design of your self-built property  and matches it with the most suitable technologies. You’ll get a tailored report filled with recommendations, including how much money and carbon you could save by installing the selected technologies.

If you want to know what it’s really like living with renewables you can read real-life case studies from homeowners in the Green Homes Network. The network features more than 300 homes across Scotland, with homeowners who have installed renewables and want to share their experiences. If you want to find out more, or are inspired to see the technology in action, you can make an appointment to visit a network member.

When it comes to installing your new technology, you’ll want to use a reputable installer. Use our Renewables Installer Finder  to find Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified installers in your area and read reviews from other customers.

Funding to help you install renewables

There are lots of financial incentives to make installing renewables more affordable.

  • Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan – Funded by the Scottish Government, grant and loan funding is available to self-builders looking to integrate renewables into their design. For example, grant funding for heat pumps is up to £7,500, or £9,000 for households which qualify for a rural uplift. The remainder of funding requested can be taken up as an optional interest-free loan.
  • Smart Export Guarantee – This scheme pays households for the excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid. This financial incentive could earn you income throughout the year, helping you to recover some of your initial installation costs.

Want to know more?

Watch our video on specialist support for renewables for more information on how we can help.

Find out more and request a call back from one of our specialist renewables advisors for free, expert advice.

More in our green self-build guide:

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