Green Energy Grant

It has been the day we have signed off the works and informed the firm running the scheme of completion. In fact, the installation and start up of the system isn't quite finished, as the new radiators need to be installed still so that things are as efficient as possible. However, in terms of the grant, things are done and we can now claim the voucher which pays half of the overall costs. In our case that is for £5000 which is what attracted us in the first place. Of course, that is the purpose of the scheme, to encourage people to switch to more efficient and greener forms of energy. Without it, we would still be wondering what to do and in the meantime still rely on the solid fuel option of the multi-fuel stove we've had since moving in 30 odd years ago,

There are so many advantages. No buying coal, no waiting for delivery as the coal runs short, no having to go out into the cold and rain to fill up the coal bucket, no having to empty the ashes every day, no having to work at keeping the fire lit, no having to worry about whether to light it or not, no lighting it and failing and trying again, no dust from the coal and ashes, no sweeping the hearth. Importantly, no wondering when the boiler might rust through again and mean major works in replacing the tank and so on. It is such a positive.

None of that matters compared to the knowledge that we are not polluting our environment any longer with the heating to the same degree and it is far more in keeping with our self image of being concerned about the environment with being vegan, travelling by bike as much as possible, recycling, having the allotment and so on.

It is a real pleasure to have the new system and it is worth saying again that the green energy grant scheme has worked for us. There were times when we thought we'd miss out due to delays in honouring vouchers which was putting firms off doing the work and we saw lots of stories about how little of the monies set aside for the scheme were going to be actually released. In our case, it has worked and my experience in dealing with H2 ECO who did the work and the people running the scheme has been positive throughout. Any questions have been promptly dealt with and the process has been a smooth one.

The rest of the day has been spent in the garden and sheds, cutting the grass, tidying and having a bit of a clearout ahead of trip to allotment this evening to drop off seed potatoes, leeks, strawberry plants and rocket. I will get those in tomorrow when I cycle back from dropping the motorhome off for the repairs to the heating and roof vents.

I am also recharging the battery for the grass strimmer to tidy up the allotment paths.