Renewable energy ideas for your home
The places where we spend most of our time are often currently heated by fossil fuels and generate around 19% of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions. If we’re to reach net zero by 2045 we need to find more climate-friendly ways to heat our homes.
Find out more about climate-friendly heating systems like heat pumps and what support is available.
19% from heating
For the majority, the places where we spend most of our time are heated by fossil fuels and generate around 19% of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions. On top of this, many buildings in Scotland aren’t well insulated which means they require more energy to heat and bills are more expensive.
6 renewable energy ideas for your home
There are many climate-friendly home heating technologies available, each with their own benefits and considerations. Different technologies will suit different homes and people. Home Energy Scotland has lots of helpful information to help you decide the best one for you, based on your home and lifestyle – you can even have a specialist advisor visit your home to assess its energy performance and explain what options might best suit.
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Air source heat pumps
These absorb heat from the outside air. This heat can then be used in your home to heat radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems, and hot water. Air source heat pumps are suitable for many types of homes and are the most common type of domestic heat pump.
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Ground source heat pumps
Pipes are buried in your garden to extract heat from the ground. This heat can then be used to heat radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems, and hot water in your home. To install a ground source heat pump you don’t necessarily need a large space, but you will need ground near your home suitable for digging trenches or drilling boreholes.
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Heat networks
These are a form of infrastructure consisting of insulated pipes and heat generation, which supplies heat (in the form of hot water or steam) to homes and non-domestic premises, such as businesses and the public sector. To find out more visit the Scottish Government Renewable and low carbon energy page.
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Solar energy for your home
By installing solar panels you can generate your own renewable energy. Solar panels work by capturing the sun’s energy and converting it into electricity that you can use in your home. Energy Saving Trust provides useful information on solar heating, including the space you’ll need.
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Wind energy for your home
Make your own electricity using small-scale wind turbines. When the wind blows, the blades spin around, driving a turbine that generates electricity. A typical system in an exposed site can easily generate more power than your lights and electrical appliances use.
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Hydroelectricity
Hydro technology uses running water to generate electricity, whether it’s a small stream or a larger river, and can produce enough electricity for all the lighting and electrical appliances in an average home.
What’s the best renewable energy for my home?
There are many renewable technologies available, each with their own benefits and considerations. Different technologies will suit different homes and people.
Home Energy Scotland have lots of helpful information to help you decide the best one for you, based on your home and lifestyle – you can even have a specialist advisor visit your home to assess its energy performance and explain what options might best suit.
Not sure which renewable technologies are suitable for your property? You can use Energy Saving Trust's home renewables selector tool.
Take action starting now
To achieve net zero by 2045, we must take action now. Start here to find ways that you can make changes in your life at home and on the go.
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