No one could have failed to notice that energy prices have increased dramatically over the past few months, and continue to rise, plunging millions of households into fuel poverty. The astronomical rise in the cost of energy is not just affecting domestic customers but also non-domestic customers too including charities and community groups with associated buildings who rely on public goodwill; tourist attractions and public buildings; large and small business proprietors; commercial property and large residential property owners and landlords, who may feel the pressure of the national energy crisis and are being left out in the cold. We can give you advice on reducing energy bills with solar shading.
There are money saving solutions available, however, to help offset the rising cost of energy including solar shading.
Why is the UK facing an energy crisis?
In simple terms, the UK’s energy crisis has intensified largely because of rising import costs and the subsequent recent increase in the price cap set by Ofgem – the UK’s energy market regulator – which saw bills go up for millions.
The price that consumers pay for electricity covers a range of expenses including the costs of buying gas and electricity in wholesale markets, getting it to customers through pipes and wires, and a range of policies including those aiming to reduce carbon emissions.
The cost of delivering energy has gone up. As some gas is burned in compressors, electricity is lost as heat when it travels along the wires and there are balancing costs as power stations adjust output to keep the system stable. All these costs are linked to the price of gas.
In the autumn of 2021, many energy retailers were caught off-guard by these rising costs. Instead of buying energy in advance, they were relying on the short-term spot markets and had to pay considerably more than Ofgem assumed when it was setting the price cap.
Prices in the wholesale spot market are for next-day delivery and depend on what is happening at this moment in time and as a result, they can be very volatile and affected by world events, such as the war in Ukraine, which is ongoing.
The most recent gas price spike was ignited by concerns over Russia’s gas exports to western Europe, but further rises are still possible over the next few months if supplies are disrupted or a cold snap increases demand for gas heating.
What does this mean for non-domestic energy users?
Whilst emphasis has been on domestic energy use, these rising energy costs are also likely to spell trouble for factories, businesses and other non-domestic energy consumers, contributing to cost inflation across the UK economy.
In addition to the burden faced by domestic customers, in some cases, non-domestic energy users might face the possibility of resorting to downsizing, selling up or in extreme circumstances simply ceasing to trade and closing. For large energy users, such as manufacturers, the record gas prices could lead to reduced working hours or lay-offs to help manage their costs.
Other measures to compensate for the increase in energy prices could include passing on the cost to visitors and customers. Struggling landlords and commercial property owners who may have previously covered the cost of utilities in rental agreements might decide to re-evaluate rental contracts placing more liability on tenants for covering soaring energy bills.
The timing of the energy crisis is extremely unfortunate considering the country is still recovering from the disruption the pandemic has caused over the past two years.
Alongside the energy crisis and the need to save money, there are also environmental factors to consider with the government’s pledge to cut 80% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 being a key driver to substantially improving the energy efficiency of building stock.
However worrying the outlook though, there is a great deal of help and advice from a variety of sources for help those needing to save money and negotiate the energy cost upheaval.
How can solar shading help keep reduce energy costs?
Building energy modelling conducted by the National Energy Foundation using Energy Plus on a model office revealed that internal shading by a venetian blind could save up to 16% of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) energy and a screen roller up to 27%.
However, with externally fitted methods of solar shading the savings in HVAC energy can be up to a staggering 54% therefore, it has been proven that solar shading constitutes a self-financing climate control system in the way it improves insulation, manages solar control and maximise daylighting from glazed areas. With this in mind, solar shading represents an investment paid back via the savings in energy use.
Fixed solar shading designed and configured according to the sun’s peak seasonal angles can reduce solar gain in summer (reducing heat gain by as much as 80%) but still permit heat gains from the low angle sun in cooler months, contributing to reduce space cooling and heating loads. In summer conditions, external solar shading is particularly effective at preventing the solar radiation from reaching the glazed surfaces and also decreases the fraction of solar radiation in the short-wave infrared range (780-2500nm) that is absorbed and re-irradiated as thermal (long-wave infrared) radiation. This can eliminate the need for artificial, mechanical-driven interior cooling if coupled with cross-ventilation strategies such as the stack-effect.
In winter conditions, operable solar shading is especially effective in providing night time insulation when fully closed overnight whilst maximising solar gains when open during daylight hours. Motorised operable solutions require electrical input, however, the energy and cost saved by installing solar shading compared to the costs of mechanical heating and cooling can be significant.
For those looking to reduce energy bills using solar shading solutions, there are a number of ways this can be done.
Commonly, the south facing elevation of a building is where the majority of solar shading will be necessary. Where large areas of glazing and doorways are located on this elevation, a significant amount of heat can amass inside the internal space of a building as the sun’s rays penetrate the glass throughout the day.
By providing solar shading to glazed areas and over doorways, the amount of direct sunlight able to penetrate the internal space of a building can be greatly reduced thus leading to a cooler, more pleasant inside temperature.
Of course, it’s also worth noting that potential property buyers or tenants are going to be influenced in their decision to buy or rent if the building is more energy efficient with lower running costs – especially in light of the energy crisis.
In summary solar shading can help to reduce energy costs by:
- Maximising natural daylight
- Reducing overheating
- Being used as a form of insulation
- Reducing the need for internal cooling systems
- Reducing the need for internal heating systems
- Lowering the use of artificial lighting
Can solar shading help reduce energy costs on older buildings?
With most buildings having already been built, it is estimated that 75% of the UK’s existing buildings were constructed before 1980 and only 1-1.5% are replaced every year. Whilst a percentage of these older buildings would have been considered energy efficient by the standards of the time, by today’s standards they have a higher carbon footprint than newer builds resulting in a need for high energy inputs to keep the internal temperature at an optimum. Existing buildings account for 44% of the overall energy consumption in the UK which includes artificial heating, cooling and lighting.
As brise soleil solar shading can be retrofitted to any building including older buildings, making them more energy efficient, it’s a simple and less invasive method of improving the eco credentials of a building and lowering energy costs. It’s also worth pointing out that whilst serving a practical use, solar shading can be manufactured to bespoke specifications and therefore be sympathetic to the style of the existing building.
Please note, however, the design and construction of the building, as well as access to the area requiring solar shading can be factors influencing the retrofit.
How does solar shading reduce energy costs for new builds?
This problem is set to become more significant in the face of global warming, with higher temperatures expected across the UK during the next 30 years. As temperatures continue to rise, the need to efficiently cool buildings is of paramount importance.
In many buildings, traditionally, an air conditioning unit would be required to work continuously in order to cool the space thus keeping the internal environment pleasant. The disadvantage of regularly using air conditioning is that it will inevitably lead to expensive energy bills and may require regular maintenance. This is where solar shading with its minimal maintenance, versatility and passivhaus credentials can make a difference.
Having a solar shading system installed can help to reduce heat gains in the summer, heat loss in the winter whilst controlling light levels and harvesting natural light.
How else can solar shading help to reduce costs in the workplace?
Many will be looking at other areas of their business to save money. As mentioned, not only can solar shading reduce energy costs, but it can also help to offset rising energy bills in other ways thus helping businesses to weather the possible financial storms ahead. By increasing thermal, visual and acoustic comfort with solar shading, the overall contentment, wellbeing and productivity of staff can be improved, and it reduces the problem of Sick Building Syndrome.
In office buildings, for example the optimum summer season working environment should be approximately 24°C+/-3°C. Research has demonstrated that this is the ‘comfort zone’ for many people. When considerably exceeding these temperatures, it is no longer solely an issue of comfort but can quickly escalate to become a health and safety risk.
During the hotter summer months solar radiation can increase internal building temperatures to as high as 35 – 40°C. At these temperatures people are at risk of dizziness, fainting, heat cramps and in more severe cases heatstroke or collapse.
Scientific studies prove that increased temperatures directly correlate with absenteeism and negative productivity: as temperatures increase productivity decreases. By 28°C there may already be a 5% decrease in productivity.
With a healthy building and working environment, fewer sick days are taken resulting in a reduction in sick pay allowance and the need to employ freelance/temporary staff that may cost more than regular staff – especially where agencies are involved.
As solar shading diffuses the direct glare of the sun’s rays it is also beneficial for retaining the appearance of light-sensitive paint work and soft furnishings as well as consumer goods and valuables such as clothing, paintings and prints, books, tapestries and antique textiles, wallpaper, wood furniture and other homeware. It therefore helps to reduce the degradation of saleable items and the need for costly maintenance and replacement of materials.
Besides solar shading what else can be done to reduce energy costs?
By installing energy efficiency measures and implementing behavioural change, the average small and medium sized enterprise (SME) could reduce energy bills by 18-25%.
In addition to solar shading, or if for whatever reason, solar shading is not a viable option then, depending on the age, size and type of building as well its purpose, there are plenty more suggestions to help reduce energy costs including:
- Insulation, especially if a building has cavity walls as they are a source of heat loss.
- Replace halogen lights with LEDs. Along with saving energy, LEDs have a longer lifespan, so bulbs don’t need to be replaced as often. Simply turning off lights when not in use will reduce energy consumption as will Installing motion sensor lights which only illuminate when there is movement and activity inside a building.
- Often as properties age, small hole, gaps and cracks form around openings such as glazed areas and doors allowing warm air to escape and cold air to enter. These gaps, though seemingly insignificant, can become progressively worse and increase in numbers therefore draught-proofing would be beneficial.
- It pays to double glaze, reducing heat loss through windows by half and for further energy-saving properties, consider triple glazing.
- An air source heat pump (ASHP) can heat a building and its water. It works by transferring heat in the air outside into a building. An ASHP can even work in -30 temperatures. ASHPs produce low levels of heat for long periods, unlike a conventional boiler system where radiators tend to be used to emit high levels of heat for a brief spell until they’re hot to touch. ASHPs work best with underfloor heating or larger radiators.
- Solar panels have increased in popularity over the years for both domestic and commercial buildings. They work by converting the sun’s energy into electricity thus reducing reliance on mains electricity. Solar panels work best on south-facing roofs with a pitch angle of about 30 or 40 degrees and no overhanging trees or other obstructions that could overshadow the panels.
More information on how to reduce energy costs in the workplace can be found on the Energy Saving Trust website.
With the latest forecast by energy bosses, that energy bills are expected to keep rising at least until 2023, and with another price hike predicted in October and further price rises over winter, it’s certainly worth considering energy saving options.
The Solinear team is here to offer advice and help with any solar shading queries, including how to save money with supply only/self-installation solar shading.
For more solar shading ideas and inspiration to help reduce your energy costs take a look at Solinear’s informative case studies. Below is just a small selection of Solinear solar shading project but feel free to explore our website for more ideas.
- Pupils benefit from Solinear’s great work on the Silsden Primary School project
- The phenomenal Plot 6 Merciaproject highlights a vast and technically sophisticated bespoke Solex™ Halo 400 motorised system.
- The Majestic building is an iconic feature of Leeds city centre, with its magnificent classical façade, but had been neglected – Solinear helped to rejuvenate this incredible building with a bespoke Solex™ system finished in a warm bronze colour.
- Birmingham’s Washwood Heath Academy where Solinear installed a significant volume of striking bespoke Solex™ brise soleil finished in six colours reflecting Washwood’s signature colours.
- In Rest Bay, Wales, Solinear installed a tailor-made Solex™ system finished with a marine grade powder coating at Porthcawl Watersport Centre creating a comfortable space inside without interrupting the stunning views of the bay.
- Solinear creates stunning bespoke coloured Solex™ system to complement the modern construction of the multi-million pound, Lister House Health Centre building in Essex.
