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The council has made the decision to not use solar thermal technology. This is because tests of the technology in council properties, both commercial and domestic, highlighted several issues which made us reconsider the use of the technology at this time: Solar photovoltaic (PV) is a more economic option as the cost of electricity is far higher than that of traditional gas and other heating fuels. Feasibility studies on our own estate determined that solar PV mixed with renewable heating, such as ground source or air source heat pumps, produces a better financial and carbon return than utilising solar thermal. At one time, we were keen to explore hybrid panels that have both technologies mixed, but the local company set up to manufacture these unfortunately entered administration. As new technologies emerge on the market, the council must take careful consideration as to the suitability of the product in line with other innovations. Where feasible, technically viable, and in line with procurement regulations, the council will then consider their use.

Please let the climate change team at the council know which building you are referring to by emailing climate@northumberland.gov.uk. The team will then be able to acknowledge ownership of the building and consider how best to assist. If you click here and fill in the form, you will be given free access to the council database of current funding opportunities. You can also set up alerts to receive updates regarding suitable funding opportunities.

The comparison that the council is referring to is between air source heat pumps and electric panel heaters. In this circumstance, a household could save up to £1,000. Currently it is unlikely that an air source heat pump would save money on household bills against a gas-combi boiler, but this could change if the wholesale price of gas, or the fuel duty rates (currently 5% VAT on domestic heating fuel) increase at all. The Climate Change Action Plan aims to future-proof the region and communities against climate change, and a big part of this is through the decarbonisation of domestic heating.

The primary issues experienced are if homes are not suitably insulated then the heat pumps either work inefficiently and so cost significantly more to run or are unable to fully heat the property. Due to this, a fabric first policy is often utilised, whereby a property will be retrofitted to be more fuel efficient prior to implementing any decarbonisation of the heating system. The other major issue with air and ground source heat pumps stems from users understanding. Heat pumps run most comfortably at 40-50 degrees centigrade and are best when left on low heating for long periods of time. This is the opposite to how oil and gas boilers are used, which stop and start shorter heating cycles set at higher temperatures. When this change in heating system use is misunderstood or disregarded, then the home will not reach the same warmth as with the older gas/oil heating systems.

There are a great number of emerging technologies and each needs to be considered individually. The council will investigate the product in line with other such innovations and will consider whether it is feasible, technically viable, and in line with procurement regulations. The council’s main goal is to provide value for money for our communities. Emerging technologies can sometimes be deemed too high a financial risk for Councils to take. For that reason, the Council may have to wait for technologies to become more established and verified before considering their use. The council is also constrained by supply chain availability. For example, there needs to be skilled and safe contractors available who can deliver installations in the area, or that there are enough products available in the market. The council cannot risk the safety of its communities by facilitating unsafe products or instillations.

If there has been an EPC survey done on your property you can access the public data here. If you do not hold an EPC certificate for your property, but feel you may be eligible for ourWarmer Homes scheme please see here.

This is unlikely to be the most effective solution. We would recommend speaking to suitably qualified trades people to understand where the water ingress is occurring and seek to solve the damp issue first.

An air source heat pump is providing part of the heat requirements and will be supported by a gas boiler. Alongside this solar PV is being installed.

Northumberland remains in the top 20% in England for offering EV chargers, the joint highest in the North East and the highest offer for rapid chargers. There is a need to ensure electric vehicles (EV) are catered for in our county as a destination place. The council recognises the importance of an effective EV infrastructure and has commissioned an additional £0.5m programme to increase chargers at strategic places. The council has not yet undertaken the wide analysis such an investment will bring but is committed to ensuring the EV infrastructure will remain and increase the attractive offer Northumberland has. The climate change team will map the expected growth in EV purchase to facilitate the council’s EV infrastructure commitment which will then help us attract funding and commercial models. As part of the council’s future local area energy plans delivered by the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, we will see if the socio-economic impacts of development can be measured.

The viability of a district heating scheme depends on many different variables, and so it is impossible to give a minimum number of customers that could be applicable to all district heating systems. Even what constitutes as a ‘customer’ is variable; hospitals, leisure centres, schools, shops and private homes/businesses could all be classed as a ‘customer’. When exploring possible district heat networks, the council first applied for a government grant to produce a ‘high level’ feasibility study. This study looked at many factors including the infrastructure costs, the heat demands, and the heat consumption across several geographic areas. From this study there were areas that were deemed potentially viable. The next stage is to access more funding to get further detailed studies produced for these areas. This system of high level and detailed level feasibility studies for potential district heat networks is the model that is used for all district heat networks, no matter their size or scope.

To maintain and protect conservation areas, care needs to be taken during alterations and repairs to ensure they do not detract from the area's appearance. Any external wall insulation would need to be carefully considered and therefore would usually need to be subject to a planning application. There are also other restrictions in some conservation areas such as in respect of painting the outside of a house. The councils planning service can offer advice to residents in conservation areas, including guidance around the needs for permission, council procedures, what should be submitted with an application, and the matters to be considered in deciding an application.

Northumberland has several large scale, onshore wind turbines and therefore makes a significant positive contribution to wind energy generation. The emerging Local Plan reflects national planning policy and identifies relatively large parts of Northumberland as being suitable for wind turbines with a height of less than 25 metres and 26 to 40 metres in height. However, the evidence shows that there are not any areas potentially suitable for larger scale turbines (those over 40 metres in height). There may however be scope for future repowering of existing turbines of this scale. An important function of planning is to balance up the objective to maximise renewable and low carbon energy with other considerations such as the need to protect Northumberland’s environment, communities and businesses from any adverse impacts associated with development.

The Free Tree scheme runs annually. The 2022/23 scheme is now over. The 2023/24 scheme will open for applications in summer 2023 to offer another 15,000 saplings on offer to residents, schools and community groups. Be the first to know when the scheme goes live by subscribing to our monthly climate change newsletter.

If you are part of a community group that is focused on climate change or environmental action, then you are a Climate Champion. Please email us at climate@northumberland.gov.uk to let us know about your group, we can then add you to our Climate Champion’s mailing list, which keeps you updated with opportunities and funding specific to your community group.