All houses require an annual check of their energy supply, particularly those that have solar panels installed in the UK. This home maintenance checklist for energy efficiency with solar panels UK will help you identify what to inspect and maintain each year to keep your system performing at its best. We have a home maintenance checklist for UK, and it is not only about cleaning your panels (although that is a terrific place to start).
The houses of today consist of numerous elements, including doors, windows, HVAC systems, and home insulation, all of which collaborate to create a viable environment with real energy efficiency.
Then, whether you have realized that your utility bills have increased all of a sudden or you intend to take advantage of your solar panel installation, it is perhaps time to conduct a detailed, home-wide evaluation.
Health check Solar-panel system
Solar panels require a keen, watchful eye, and they will continue to perform at their best. A clean array of solar panels in an uncovered location, free from heavy dust, will not lose its peak energy conversion for decades (or even longer).
Conduct a quick visual inspection every couple of months.Visit your solar panels (or have a safe look at them) to confirm that there are no problems with the panels, such as cracks, chips, or discoloration.
Loose or damaged connectors and wiring should be addressed immediately. Nesting or foreign objects under the panel are a definite concern.
Although traces of dirt are natural, a heavy coating can significantly decrease productivity. Outsource the services of a technician or solar panel cleaner to wash your panels at least once a year. This ensures that your solar inverter and solar battery storage UK systems are in sync to achieve the best output.
Roof & loft insulation
A layer of home insulation should be well-maintained to ensure that your solar-generated warmth does not dissipate. In case it is available, open the hatch in your loft and inspect the insulating layer.
Search in areas where there is bareness, condensed material beneath item storage, and indications of movement. When you notice harm or pest infestation, it is time to enlist the services of professional help.
The minimum insulation of 270 mm (approximately 10.5 inches) of loft insulation is recommended as best practice in the UK. When the depth is not optimal (and your loft is dry), you should add more material. Sound insulation not only minimizes heat loss but also increases the return on investment for your solar panels in the UK and solar battery storage.
HVAC / heat-pump service
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, or, in more modern ones, hybrid inverters, aid in the efficient regulation of indoor temperatures.
Check the filters, especially during the peak heating and cooling seasons. Watch out for dust, as any leaks or wear in ductwork can occur. Get an annual professional service before extreme temperatures arrive (spring for cooling, autumn for heating).
An efficient Tesla Powerwall 3 (or any other battery system) and solar inverter can also be enhanced by a properly maintained system for storage and distribution.
Air draught-proofing and air sealing
Poor draught-proofing is a typical example of energy-saving waste. When you feel a breeze even when all the windows and doors are closed, you need to check them to determine if there are any gaps.
Check windows, doors, chimneys (including chimney balloons), floorboards, and skirting boards for possible leaks. Minor details, such as letterboxes and keyholes, should be noted.
Verinexpensive options, such as self-sticking foam, rubber strips, or brush-like drafting strips, can be invaluable. In the long run, this can lead to substantial energy savings.
Inspection of window glazing and door glazing
Draughts are not the only wrongdoers. Did you know that heat passes through single glazing twice as quickly as it passes through double glazing?
The UK government estimates that windows cause around 18 percent of a home’s heat loss. Note the presence of fogging between panes, an indicator of gas leakage (typically argon or krypton) that compromises the insulation.
When upgrading, you can install bifacial solar panels near south-facing windows to capture light, or add triple-glazed units to achieve optimal performance.
Sunscreening and control of solar gain
Keep a watch on the trees, branches, and structures that can provide shade on your panels. The interconnected solar panel systems are significantly influenced by even minor shading, which affects their performance.
After trimming hanging branches, mainly those facing south, east, and west, the shadows vary according to the seasons; hence, maintenance planning is necessary.
Assuming you have a solar panel on the shed, in the garden, or a solar monitoring system, ensure that they are positioned equally to maximize exposure throughout the year.
Track & benchmark energy use
Lastly, make your solar-energy project a wise investment by incorporating actual data into your plan. These appliances measure the energy consumed automatically in real time and automatically forward it to your supplier.
To further analyze, maintain your own spreadsheet or use your solar monitoring system to record monthly performance and compare year-on-year performance.
Provided that you see the spikes in energy consumption (5-10 percent and above), it may be possible to conclude that you have poor insulation, an inefficient appliance, or a system malfunction.
Are you willing to invest in solar energy?
By following this home maintenance checklist for energy efficiency with solar panels UK, you have learned how to create an energy-efficient home. Now is the time to complement it with a professional solar solution. Solar Dream, one of the leading providers of renewable energy in the UK, is here to help you participate in the green revolution.
Whether you need a solar panel attached, solar battery storage, or a hybrid inverter system. Our trained specialists are available to create a solution that suits your home.
Call Solar Dream to get a free quote and begin converting your home into a clean, renewable energy powerhouse.
