Discover the latest grants for solar panels, and you could benefit from renewable energy for less. And while fewer schemes exist now than in previous years, homeowners can still access grants to help with installation costs. And as these can run into the thousands of pounds, it’s an option well worth considering.

Choosing solar panels for the home can be a complex process. Not all homes are suitable for panels, and different panel types are best suited for different properties. But solar panels can make a big difference to your energy bills. A typical household with a 3.5 kilowatt-peak system could save between £170 and £445 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Here we look at the schemes which currently offer grants for solar panels, and assess the key information you need to know about how they operate. 

Image credit: Getty Images/Ashley Cooper

Can you get free grants for solar panels in 2022?

Until it closed in 2019, the Government ran the Feed-in-Tariff, a scheme in which energy companies essentially bought your solar panels for you. They’d even install them on your roof and you could benefit from the free electricity provided. 

You can make big savings on solar panels through grants, but it isn’t possible for most homeowners to access free solar panels.

Which types of solar panels are available through grant schemes?

You’ll notice two distinctions of solar panel throughout this article: solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, which generate electricity from sunlight, and solar thermal panels, which generate heat for use in your domestic hot water cylinder. 

How much would I expect to pay without a grant?

So how much do solar panels cost? Our in-depth guide explains more, but you can expect to pay anywhere between £5,000-£8,000 for a solar PV system and £4,000 to £5,000 for a solar thermal system, according to Checkatrade. 

These figures might seem lofty, but their energy-saving impact can be considerable, says Jack Sutcliffe, co-founder of Power Sheds. ‘Particularly with the spike in energy bills that we’re currently seeing, any method that can help with energy efficiency is extremely valuable. Solar panels certainly fall into this category; they are green and effective energy sources that can help reduce operating costs significantly.’

Image credit: Getty Images/Claire Plumridge

What grants for solar panels are available in 2022?

1. The Energy Company Obligation

The Energy Company Obligation, or ECO scheme, is a requirement for energy suppliers with more than 150,000 customers to reduce the costs of home heating by fitting energy-saving improvements.

Funding is prioritised to vulnerable and low-income households, helping those in fuel poverty who would otherwise struggle to afford the cost of solar panels. Having begun in 2013, the latest version of the scheme (ECO3) will run until March 2022 before being replaced by ECO4, which will continue to offer solar panel grants. 

Who is eligible? 

You might be eligible for ECO funding if you receive certain benefits, although it’s important to be aware that the qualifying criteria could change in April when ECO3 becomes ECO4. The full proposed eligibility criteria can be found in the Government’s Energy Company Obligation report. 

You may also be eligible if you receive the Warm Home Discount (which helps fuel-poor homes), or if you live in a house that has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D or lower. You’ll need to either own your home or have the permission of your landlord to be eligible. 

How do I apply? 

Fill in the questionnaire at Eco3.org.uk to assess your eligibility. If you qualify, you can book a technical surveyor to come to your home. They will assess which improvements will most improve your energy efficiency.

How much could I save? 

Under ECO3, energy companies can choose how much funding they provide, as well as the installer that does the work. This means that while you could save around £6,000 – the typical cost for solar panels – the amount of funding you will be offered will depend on your eligibility and how effective installing solar panels will be for your home. 

2. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

The RHI is a government scheme which, as it says on the tin, promotes the use of renewables. Solar thermal panels are available through this scheme, providing they are Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified. This is an important point and you’ll need this information as part of the application process.

The scheme ends in March 2022, so you’ll need to be quick to get your application in. Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which will replace the RHI from 1 April, solar thermal will not be directly supported. But the government has said some solar panels can be installed as part of a heat pump system which is funded on the scheme. 

Who is eligible? 

You can apply if you live in England, Scotland or Wales and you own your home. Self build homes are eligible, too. 

How do I apply?

Homeowners can apply through the Ofgem website. However, before you can receive payments, you’ll need to have an EPC completed, and any recommendations made, such as additional insulation, will need to be installed.

How much could I save?

The scheme offers payments which are paid back over a seven-year period. But funding – and therefore how much you’ll save – will be based on the estimate of a solar system’s performance.

3. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

The SEG launched in 2020 to replace the Feed-in-Tariff, and requires energy suppliers with 150,000+ customers to pay homeowners for any unused solar-generated electricity. This means that you’ll already need to have solar PV panels installed, but an SEG tariff can still save you money on your electricity.

Who is eligible? 

Homeowners with MCS-certified solar PV panels installed may be eligible. But you’ll also be required to have a registered smart meter installed that records your exported electricity.

How do I apply? 

You can apply through your energy supplier – for example, this is the SSE’s Smart Export Guarantee’s application form. It’s recommended to read Ofgem’s Guidance for Generators document first.

How much could I save? 

With the SEG it’s really more ‘how much could I earn?’. While this can depend on factors such as your electricity usage and your export tariff rates, households on the highest SEG rate could save £82 a year, according to Which?

James Andrews, Senior Personal Finance Editor at Money.co.uk, says, ‘people may be put off the idea of solar panels as they think the UK’s frequently grey skies won’t generate enough energy. However, even on gloomy days panels still produce power.’ 

‘This is a great thing because the Smart Export Guarantee means households can get paid for their solar energy output. This might not be as generous as the feed-in tariff scheme it replaced, but it still means energy you don’t use yourself isn’t entirely wasted.’

4. VAT reductions

In the March 2022 Spring Statement, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that VAT will be scrapped for energy efficiency measures. It’s one of his plans to tackle high energy bills, and will be applicable to any solar panels, electric heat pumps and insulation installed in the next five years .

Solar Energy UK had been campaigning for the Government to ensure all solar and energy storage technologies qualify for zero-rated VAT. It believes this will encourage green home investments. 

Kevin McCann, Policy Manager at Solar Energy UK explains. ‘We have also called on the government to work with the solar and other low-carbon technology industries to establish a long-term retrofit support scheme for homeowners and renters. All zero-carbon technologies should have access to these support measures, including solar PV, solar thermal, energy storage and zero-carbon heat technologies.’ 

Image credit: iStock/Callum Redgrave-Close

Is the Feed-in-Tariff still available?

The Feed-in-Tariff used to pay homeowners to generate electricity from their solar PV panels. Unfortunately, it closed on 31 March 2019 for all new applications.

Is the Green Homes Grant still available?

The short-lived Green Homes Grant offered homeowners up to £10,000 to make energy-efficient improvements. Solar thermal panels were included as a primary measure, but the scheme was scrapped in March 2021.

A local authority-delivered scheme has continued to provide funding for solar PV panels. It’s open to households with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G and a combined annual income of below £30,000.

How else can I recoup money on my solar panels?

If you had solar panels installed on the Feed-in-Tariff then you might be able to sell this tariff, a process known as solar equity release. Some energy suppliers will offer lump sums to homeowners in exchange for the remainder of the tariff, and for your excess generation. If you go down this route it’s best to shop around for the best deals.

The post Grants for solar panels – what Government help is available? appeared first on Ideal Home.

Miele are no slouches in the vacuum-cleaning world, particularly when it comes to innovation and, above all, performance. The German brand’s unparalleled reputation means any new product launches to the best robot vacuum cleaner realm have a lot to live up to, and the new Scout RX3 range is no exception. This is the third iteration of Miele’s Scout range, and it offers a few extra bells and whistles, not to mention performance improvements, that takes automated cleaning to the next level.

We tested the top-of-the-range Home Vision HD model – the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD – for a month on a variety of flooring to find out if it is worthy of the Miele label and, more importantly, whether it deserves a place in your home. Read on to find out how we got on.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Reasons to buy:

• Excellent cleaning results
• Quiet option
• Carpet boost
• Long battery life
• Gets into every corner
• Alexa compatible
• Easy to empty

Reasons to avoid:

• Glitchy mapping
• No ‘bin full’ alert

Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD

Image credit: Miele

Product spec:

Power source: 5200 mAh Li-Ion battery
Dimensions: Diameter 354mm, Height 85mm
Weight: 3.2kg
Noise: 64 dB (A) to 67 dB (A)
Dustbin capacity: 0.4 litres
Battery life: 120 minutes
Charging time: 237 minutes
Speeds: 3

Who will the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD suit?

Anyone seeking hands-free cleaning to exceptionally high standards should seriously consider the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD. This is not the cheapest robot vac on the market, but nor is the most expensive. In fact, we’d say it’s perfectly pitched to reflect quality and performance, plus you get the reassurance of Miele’s excellent customer service team who have an amazing ‘can-do’ attitude. I know, I’ve been a Miele customer my entire adult life!

The only people who may not benefit from the RX3 Home Vision HD are those with really large, really messy homes. It’s designed to cover 120sq m in a single charge, which is generous, but the 0.4L dustbin may not cope if your home is particularly messy. I found I had to empty the bin after every use, even on a daily schedule, but we do have three hairy dogs, a house rabbit and two children!

How easy is the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD to set up?

Image credit: Future Plc / Linda Clayton

Like most Smart technology, setting up the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD was as simple as downloading an App (the Miele Scout App) and then following the step-by-step on-screen instructions. You also need to pop the side brushes into position, which was very straightforward. Setting up the base station is equally easy, and I appreciated the stickers on the bottom that secure it to the floor and stop it moving when the robovac climbs aboard for a charge.

Image credit: Future Plc / Linda Clayton

Be prepared to wait 3-4 hours for the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD to complete its first charge. During that time, I took the opportunity to find my way around the App, which includes a handy Frequently Asked Questions section, covering things like pairing, mapping, navigation and operation. I also connected the robot vacuum to Alexa, so I can just say ‘Alexa, start the vacuum on Turbo’, if I don’t have my phone close by or the energy to open the App!

What is the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD like to use?

On a basic level it is very intuitive to use, and I didn’t need to consult any instructions to work out how to set it going, change the power setting from Auto, Turbo or Silent, and return it to base. You can do all of these things with the App of course, which was the main way I controlled the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD, but there are also buttons on the robot vacuum itself, should you prefer to be more touchy-feely. Rather oddly, the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD also comes with a remote control, which I couldn’t really understand the point of. Perhaps is it aimed at people who are not App-happy? Or householders without access to the App (although it can be used on several devices)? Either way, I’m afraid I left it in the box.

Image credit: Future Plc / Linda Clayton

On a more complex level, you can programme automatic cleaning schedules (you can set one for every day of the week if you choose) using the App. The mapping feature is also accessed via the App and this is where I have to admit coming a little unstuck in the first few days. On previous robot vacuums I have tested (there have been several), the robot automatically creates a Map over a few training runs, building up to the full picture as it goes. The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD does the same, except that it doesn’t save as it goes along – only at the very end, once the entire ground floor has been covered. Whenever the robot had to be restarted, because it got stuck or lost the base station (which is completely normal in the first few runs), the map was wiped clean.

Image credit: Future Plc / Linda Clayton

After a frustrating few days of false starts, I arranged a Zoom call with customer support, who were extremely helpful and explained how to generate a full Map – basically remove all obstacles (like the kitchen chair legs that every robot gets stranded on and do not interfere! By which I mean, don’t interrupt its progress by setting it off manually. If the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD doesn’t manage to map in a single charge, as ours couldn’t, it should be allowed to recharge back to full before going back out to continue mapping. Only once it has completely finished mapping will it return to base and allow you to save the map. If your home footprint is smaller than 120sq m, the mapping should be much easier as there’s no recharging to interrupt matters.

The good news is that once the map was saved, I could name each room and then use it to send the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD exactly where I wanted cleaning. And also zone off those pesky chairs. I also used the magnetic strips supplied to stop the Scout RX3 Home Vision HD going near the front doormat, which is sunken into the floor tiles and thus prone to robot trapping, despite having its wheel height set at the highest possible option. You can also do a second map of your first floor and then alternate the robot upstairs and downstairs.

What Smart features are included and are they worth it?

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is absolutely packed with Smart features, and has all the cool tech, such as scheduling, mapping and Alexa control, that you might expect from a top-end brand. One feature I haven’t seen on any other robot vacuum cleaner is Home Vision, which transmits a high-resolution video feed to your smartphone. The picture quality is insane (720 x 1280 pixels) and it uses a wide-angle lens that provides an excellent view. Once you have logged into the camera on your smartphone, you can also remote control the robot around the house to assess cleaning progress, perhaps, or check in on a pet. I have to admit that after the initial excitement of a floor-level tour of my home, I didn’t have much call for live video.

One bit of Smart tech I missed was proper audio messages. My regular robot tells me exactly what fault I am dealing with – for example ‘Empty the Bin’ or ‘Brush obstruction’. The Scout RX3 Home Vision HD uses fault codes on its digital display (F1, F6 etc), so you either have to find your phone and see what it means on the App or refer to the instruction manual. I know, First World Problems!

One very useful feature I really loved was the ‘Favourite Areas’ function, and spot cleaning, which let me define part of a room – i.e. under the bar stools in the kitchen – then send the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD in after the children had been eating breakfast or snacks at the breakfast bar. Crumbs galore, gone in minutes.

How good is the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD at cleaning?

Image credit: Future Plc / Linda Clayton

Cleaning is where the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD excels, and, the manufacturer claims, this new model’s cleaning performance is improved by 25% compared to the previous RX2. This is down to Miele’s Quattro Cleaning system, which essentially refers to a four-pronged approach that leaves no dirt, dog hairs or dust in its wake. The process starts with two sweeping side brushes, featuring 20 prongs ram packed with bristles (they also send a pair of brushes with fewer bristles that are better on fully carpeted homes) and get into every nook, corner and cranny. The dirt is then swept towards the roller brush in the middle of the base. If any dirt escapes these two, there’s a rear suction opening behind the roller brush, which acts as back-up support. Finally, suction for both the brush and secondary slot is supported by a powerful fan. The results are truly impressive and certainly as good as my regular vacuum cleaner (also a Miele) if the fully-loaded dust box is anything to go by when it’s done.

Image credit: Future Plc / Linda Clayton

In terms of manoeuvrability, the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD also performs well and had no issue getting onto the rugs, or over thresholds between rooms. Our floors are a mix of wood, tile, rug and carpet downstairs, and the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD whizzed over them all with ease. It did get grounded on the chair legs and stuck on the recessed doormat as mentioned, but so does every other robot I have tested. The Miele Scout RX3 navigated easily around our bar stools and dining chairs, and also cleaned right under the sofas and other low furniture. At 85mm-high, it’s slimline enough to avoid getting stuck under there, too.

There are three main cleaning modes: Auto, Turbo and Silent. I mostly used Auto, which adjusts its power to suit different surfaces. When it gets onto a carpet you can hear the suction automatically increase, while on wood and tile it works at a lower power to achieve a longer battery life. The Turbo mode gets the job done 30% faster, but slightly less thoroughly as it doesn’t cover the ground quite so rigidly, which didn’t suit our dog-filled home. The Silent mode isn’t silent of course, but it is quieter – 64 dB(A), compared to 67 in Auto. However, the pay-off is in speed and performance. Silent mode is 20% slower and 30% less powerful. In my opinion, it would make more sense to set the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD running while you’re out of the house if you’re noise sensitive.

Is it easy to empty and maintain the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD?

Image credit: Future Plc / Linda Clayton

The dust bin lives under a flap in the top and is super easy to pull out and empty. The filter can also be removed for cleaning – a few quick taps against the side of the bin will dislodge an impressive amount of dust. You can also vacuum the filter with your handheld if you want to avoid dust in the atmosphere. Replacement filters cost around £16 and Miele recommends changing them twice a year.

Should you buy the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD?

If you are looking for really thorough cleaning – and you should be – the Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is nothing short of exceptional. I did have a few teething problems with the Mapping and base station locating, but once I had a map set up, scheduling and individual room cleaning was a breeze, and the ‘lost base station’ incidents decreased the more I used it.

Overall, I would recommend the Miele Scout RX3 series to anyone who is serious about clean floors and saving themselves the effort of wielding a vacuum. However, I would personally go for the regular model, the Scout RX3, which doesn’t have Home Vision live cameras. It’s £100 cheaper and I am just not convinced I’ll ever want or need to check in on my floors while I’m out and about.

Image credit: Miele

About this review, and the reviewer

Linda Clayton is a freelance interiors journalist specialising in kitchens, bathrooms and home tech. She is a serial renovator, currently on her fourth project, and has tested many home appliances, DIY tools, mowers and mattresses in the last 20+ years.

She was sent this product to test in a home setting for a month to find out how well it scores in a busy family home filled with (too many) pets and (just enough) children. The ground floor of her home is around 130sq m, split into six rooms, plus hallway, and includes every type of flooring imaginable – making it a great testing space for vacuums.

We were not given any compensation for this review and it was returned to Miele after a one-month testing period.

The post Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD robot vacuum cleaner review appeared first on Ideal Home.

This homeowner and her husband Scott set about turning a bedroom in their semi-detached house into a spacious ensuite bathroom.

With a whole house to renovate, components were sourced on a tight budget, yet the result is a light and airy bathroom idea inspired by a trip to Japan.

‘I love how the Japanese-inspired bathroom reflects our travels and my cultural identity,’ explains the owner. ‘It’s our little attempt to recreate a holiday in Japan when we stayed in a traditional guest house.’

Before: Unused box room

Image credit: Future PLC/Katie Lee

With only one bathroom in a four-bedroom property, converting one of the rooms into a spacious en-suite was a no-brainer. The original tiny bathroom was converted into a shower room for guests.

‘I was worried the architect’s original design was too small,’ says the owner. ‘So a friend helped me mark out key pieces on the floor with masking tape.’

‘This led to us foregoing the walk-in wardrobe section, where the shower is now, to make the room even bigger. It meant we could supersize everything and have a large walk-in shower, double vanity unit and an extra long and deep bath.’

After: Japanese inspired bathroom

Image credit: Future PLC/Katie Lee

A trip to Japan when the cherry blossoms were falling inspired the bathroom’s design. The owner’s Malaysian heritage and travels to Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand further influenced the look.

To save money, cheap white metro tiles have been laid around the bath. However, an interesting formation and black grout makes this bathroom tile idea stand out. Look up different layout options online to make standard metro tiles look more interesting.

Black grout can be unforgiving and takes longer, so be prepared to pay extra for tiling work.

Design detail 1: Upcycled vanity unit

Image credit: Future PLC/Katie Lee

A beautiful second hand solid wood cabinet has been upcycled to create a unique bathroom storage idea with his and hers basins. The owner found it on Facebook marketplace for just £30.

You can use a TV unit or small sideboard as an unusual vanity unit. You’ll need to shorten the top drawers to accommodate pipework.

‘It took weeks of searching online before I found the perfect round gold mirror,’ she reveals. ‘The wall colour – Tranquil Dawn – was easier to find. It was the Dulux colour of the year in 2020 and I’ve used it around the house.’

Design detail 2: Green shower tiles

Image credit: Future PLC/Katie Lee

The green shower tile idea is inspired by the owner’s jade bangle and offers a tranquil feel. Due to the complex design, it took the tiler four days to complete.

The black shower screens are reminiscent of the sliding screens in Japanese homes. ‘I saw some in a bathroom showroom and nearly fell over when I saw the price,’ says the owner. ‘But then found a design for a third of the cost online.’

Design detail 3: Stylish bathroom storage

Image credit: Future PLC/Katie Lee

As the room’s so big there’s plenty of room for units to put prints, bathroom plant ideas and accessories.

Choose storage that echoes your bathroom colour. This metal corner unit ties-in with the shower screens and the pale green box planter works well with the tiles.

Design detail 4: Raised bath platform

Image credit: Future PLC/Katie Lee

‘Luckily we have beautiful views across fields and we wanted to be able to soak in the bath while enjoying them – so a raised platform was a must,’ says the owner. Our joiner made an MDF structure, which was boarded and covered in a waterproof wood-effect vinyl flooring.’ 

Make sure you or your joiner leaves a removable opening in the front panel for access to pipework in case of any future repairs.

You could incorporate a full length step into the design or a ready-made step (Victorian Plumbing sells a 1000mm ready-to-tile bath step), which can be added afterwards.

Design detail 5: Black accents

Image credit: Future PLC/Katie Lee

Black Venetian blinds, a black towel rail and black taps set off the space perfectly.

‘Even though we’ve lost a bedroom, it’s worth it for such a statement wow bathroom,’ says the owner. ‘It’s so nice having one totally finished room to escape to while the rest of the extension is still ongoing.
Whether you want an indulgent evening of self care with a face mask in the tub or a fantastically hot shower with the amazing rainfall head, it’s just perfect.’

What special holiday will inspire your next project?

Additional words: Karen Wilson

The post Before and after: From unloved box room to Japanese-style bathroom bliss appeared first on Ideal Home.

Etsy’s trend expert predicts a big ‘trayscaping’ trend for Mother’s Day 2022, and it truly couldn’t be easier to try at home. A beautifully styled tray for breakfast in bed is a classic Mother’s Day gift that you can personalise for the mother figure in your life.

Mother’s Day celebrations have of course been somewhat hampered over the last couple of years due to the Ghastliness. Last year, nearly half of us (43%) didn’t spend Mother’s Day with our mums but plan to this year, and 65% of us say we want to make it really special.

This home decor trend will do just that.

Image credit: Etsy

Trayscaping trend

Dayna Isom Johnson from Etsy predicts that many of us will be taking extra special care and consideration when putting together a breakfast in bed tray this Mothering Sunday. If you can’t deliver your mum breakfast in bed, some flowers or a selection of treats arranged on a tray still makes for a lovely present.

‘Just in time for Mother’s Day, there’s a new trend we’re about to see everywhere: trayscaping,’ Etsy trend expert Dayna tells us. ‘While many have embraced tablescaping – or even ‘picnic-scaping’, a popular choice for outdoor gatherings amid restrictions – over the last few years, trayscaping is all about elevating a classic breakfast in bed to create a memorable dining experience right at home.’

Any kind of ‘scaping’ is always harder than it looks, so we’d suggest heading to Pinterest or Insta for inspiration. The main thing is to have fun with it, using different objects of varying heights and shapes.

Image credit: Etsy

Try a posy vase of flowers cut from the garden, a glass of fresh orange juice and a handwritten menu for breakfast. Or a new mug filled with steaming coffee, a scented candle, a personalised napkin, and some granola with yoghurt and honey.

Head to Etsy to browse their range of trays, whether your mum would like something with scalloped edges or a more sleek and modern look. Etsy trend expert Dayna’s top tip for trying the trayscaping trend is not to go overboard.

‘Quality over quantity is key to avoiding an awkward and impractical spread,’ Dayna says. ‘While you’ll need to include the essentials – like dishware, cutlery, and a mug – I recommend adding just a handful of small, yet impactful, additional details to make your trayscape really pop without it feeling cluttered.’

Image credit: Etsy

With a bit of luck, you’ll end up with something as practical as it is beautiful. Left things till the very last minute? We have rounded up ten lovely Mother’s Day gifts on Amazon.

The post The trayscaping trend – Etsy predicts it will be one to watch this Mother’s Day appeared first on Ideal Home.