In a Net Zero world, a ‘clean tech’ house is the type of property we will be living in. These houses are like the ones we live in today but will have solar panels, proper insulation and a heat pump. Our household bills will also be 40-50% cheaper than today because of these innovations. To be on track for Net Zero by 2050, the UK government body, the Climate Change Committee, would want most houses to have these technologies installed by 2040. With all these new technologies, where is the best place to start? There is a sequence to creating a clean tech house which will help you take maximum advantage of saving energy and money from clean technology.

Start with buying solar panels and battery storage

Solar panels will reduce your electricity bill immediately and can save up to £1000 a year. It is the best investment you can make out all the green technologies. Solar panels don’t only go on roofs, they can also go on the ground, on top of the shed and the garage. They are a good investment, particularly with an electric car and paired later with a heat pump. Also, it is possible to make up to £400 a year from battery storage as you can sell stored solar energy.

Insulate roof, walls and floors

If you have read the article on this website about when to buy a heat pump, it is better to sort out your house first before getting them installed. Insulating the roof, walls and floors will reduce your heating bill substantially and make it easier for a heat pump to heat your house without the system getting overwhelmed.

Double glaze windows and draught-proof house

Another way to reduce the amount of energy you use to heat your house is to buy double or triple glazed windows and draught-proof the house. This will immediately reduce your heating bill, make your house energy efficient and ready for a heat pump.

Invest in a heat pump

Once your house has been properly insulated and has a solar panel, this is the best time to explore what type of heat pump to get. There are options of air sourced heat pump and ground sourced heat pumps.  Air-sourced heat pumps are much cheaper than ground-sourced heat pumps, but ground-sourced heat pumps can heat and cool your house, which air-sourced heat pumps cannot. Since heat pumps use electricity to heat your home instead of gas, pairing them with solar panels will reduce your heating bill substantially.

Get smart heating controls

Smart heating controls means you can control the heating system from your phone more efficiently and avoid wasting energy.

Install an electric vehicle charger

Inevitably, electric cars will be the norm in the future. Through the process of innovation and changes in infrastructure, they will become cheaper, convenient and more desirable. There is no future scenario of a net zero world where they do not exist as part of road transport. If you install an electric vehicle charger in your home, it will cost you nothing to charge your car if you have solar panels in place.