Iran war energy shock: Britain introduces new rules for all new homes

#solar #uk #HeatPumps

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/24/iran-war-britain-new-homes-solar-heat-pumps-energy-crisis.html

"Experts prefer heat pumps, but homeowners have doubts"

I wonder who sows those doubts, contrary to any evidence.

#heatpumps #Deutschland

BBC News - Heat pumps for all new homes in England and plug-in solar in green tech drive
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czjw7klkjm2o

It's a pity that it took Trump's Iran war to get us to this point, but it's still great news for the environment.

#HeatPumps #SolarPanels #PlugInSolar

Energy prices have spiked for all kinds of reasons in CT, but #solar and #heatpumps are paying off for our home.

We got solar panels and heat pumps right after moving in, so it's hard to do a real pre-post comparison of expenses. But we can use some averages to do a back-of-napkin estimate.

Average annual electricity bill in #CT in 2025: $2,486

Annual cost of using oil to heat a 2,000 sq ft home: $3,377

Our combined electric and oil costs in 2025: $2,804

So our overall energy bill might be $3,059 under what it could be without switching to solar and heat pumps.

Of course, we had to pay for these systems. After state incentives and a federal rebate, we paid: $23,254 for the panels. Our heat pump system was $13,579.34 - paid for with a 1% loan, which we pay off at ~$120 a month.

Assuming annual costs stay the same (lol), by my math, we break even in 7 more years. And meanwhile, we're green(er)!

Sources:

https://www.gethomeheat.com/average-heating-bill/ct/

https://ctmirror.org/2026/03/20/ct-electricity-bills-up/

Researchers warn that environmental gains made through NDP incentives for EVs and heat pumps in the province of British Columbia (that were developed by the government in partnership with the BC Green Party in 2018) will be lost by the same NDP government that is now encouraging growth of LNG in British Columbia.

#environment #climatechange #LNG #politics #heatpumps #electricvehicles

https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comment-bc-can-have-growth-and-fewer-emissions-12019184

'Clean energy has these knock on effects across society. It’s cleaner, it’s quieter, it’s just a better product. So as builders get used to it and build it, there’s a feedback loop with consumers, like myself, who are like, “Wow, I love this house.” Word gets around, and I think that’s how markets change.' Read more: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2026/03/20/home-improvement-energy-efficiency-style-00838961?template_id=OT5J0E7B7DD7&is_login_link=true

#heatpumps

'Clean energy has these knock on effects across society. It’s cleaner, it’s quieter, it’s just a better product. So as builders get used to it and build it, there’s a feedback loop with consumers, like myself, who are like, “Wow, I love this house.” Word gets around, and I think that’s how markets change.' Read more: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2026/03/20/home-improvement-energy-efficiency-style-00838961?template_id=OT5J0E7B7DD7&is_login_link=true

#heatpumps

#AskMastodon

Anyone on here have personal experience with heat-pump hot water tanks? Our HWT is overdue for replacement and one of the options I’m looking at is heat pump.

One concern I have is that they (apparently) cause the area where they’re placed to become colder (naturally, as they collect heat from the surrounding environment) which is a bit of worry since our basement is already a bit on the cool side and our oldest son lives down there.

#HeatPumps #Plumbing