Help to get a good job done.
A bit of planning will help. And we’re here to give practical support, from finding an installer to helping you apply for funding.
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What's involved in installing home renewables?
Planning permission and building warrants
Finding an installer - download a list
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This depends very much on the type of property you have or intend to build, where it's situated, and whether you want to apply for any available offers to help cover the costs.
Renewable energy technologies can be fitted to existing or new-build homes.
Making best use of your energy in your home
To make sure you get the maximum benefit from your renewable system it's important to check that your loft and wall insulation is adequate, that windows and doors are up to standard, and that suitable heating controls are in place before you install.
To get energy advice that's best for your home, try out our online Home Energy Check.
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Depending on the kind of property and the type of renewable energy system to be installed, you may also need to get permission from your local planning authority.
The Scottish Government has changed planning legislation to make it easier to install certain renewable energy systems.
Read more about getting planning permission.
For further information on planning issues, contact your local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre or local Planning Department.
Building warrants
We always recommend you contact your local authority to discuss your plans.
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You could receive an interest free loan of up to £2,000 from the Scottish Government to help with the upfront cost of installing an electricity or heat generating renewables system. This loan fund is limited and will be issued on a first come first served basis. So if you’d like to invest now to gain some extra income from Feed-in tariffs, or to benefit from the forthcoming Renewable Heat Incentive, then make the most of this current offer.
Find out more and apply for a loan
If you live in an area covered by the Home Insulation Scheme you may be eligible for an Energy Saving Scotland home loan.
Read more about the Energy Saving Scotland home loans scheme.
Call your local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre on 0800 512 012 for more information.
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Although you could install a renewable energy system yourself, a good installer will help you get the right system for your home set up in the best possible way.
If you intend to apply for the Feed-in Tariffs scheme or the Renewable Heat Premium Payment and/or the proposed Renewable Heat Initiative, the system must be installed by a Microgeneration Certification (MSC) certificated installer.
To help you find a local installer, we've produced a handy list of those based in, or operating in, Scotland:
Access the Scotland Installer List.
You may also be interested to know that the Construction Licensing Executive (CLE) based in Scotland operates a licensing scheme for traders in the construction industry, promoting higher standards of workmanship and customer service and aims to protect consumers from rogue traders in the industry. This includes traders such as electricians and heating and plumbing engineers many of whom install renewables systems.
You should ask installers if they are members of any trade associations, and can check to see if the MCS-certified installer that you are interested in is also a CLE licensed company by searching for them here: http://www.clescotland.co.uk/search.php
In addition, if you have a company that is interested in gaining MCS certification then CLE can provide MCS certification to Scottish based plumbing, heating and electrical companies, as well as companies from other parts of the UK. For more information see http://www.clescotland.co.uk/docs/MCS/AboutMCS.htm . A full list of MCS certification bodies including CLE can be found here: http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/installers/certification-bodies
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To qualify for the Feed-in Tariffs scheme and/or the proposed Renewable Heat Initiative, the renewables system must also be certificated.
A full list of registered products for micro hydro, micro wind, solar water heating, biomass heating and ground source heat pumps can be viewed on the Microgeneration Certification website.
Your chosen installer can also advise you of eligible products.
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You could save around £250 on your energy bills
