Low-carbon technology

Information for residents about low-carbon technology such as solar panels and heat pumps.

There are a number of new low-carbon technologies for homes that can help reduce carbon emissions and make your home more energy efficient.

Find out more about how they work and if they could be right for your home.

Solar panels

Solar panels capture energy from the sun and convert it into clean, renewable electricity to power your home and appliances.

Find out more about solar panels on the Energy Saving Trust website

Find out your home’s solar potential on the Solar Wizard website

Get local advice on installing solar panels on the Futureproof Cumbria website

Find a local MCS Registered solar panel installer on the MCS website

You could be offered solar panels for free if you are eligible for the warm home local grant or the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme

Heat pumps

Air source and ground source heat pumps transfer heat from the air or ground outside your home to the water in your central heating system. They work in a similar way to how your refrigerator maintains a constant temperature.

Find out more on the Energy Savings Trust website about:

Check if a heat pump could be suitable for you on GOV.UK

Find a local MCS Registered heat pump installer on the MCS website

You could be offered an air source heat pump for free if you are eligible for the warm home local grant or the  Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.

You could get £7,500 towards installing an air source heat pump or a ground source heat pump through the Boiler upgrade Scheme.

Biomass boilers

Biomass boilers burn wood logs, pellets or chips and are connected to your central heating system. They still release carbon emissions but at much lower rates compared to gas, oil or LPG boilers. Biomass is renewable when the wood comes from a sustainable source.

Find out more about biomass heating on the Energy Saving Trust website

Find a local MCS Registered biomass installer on the MCS website

Find a local sustainable wood fuel supplier on GOV.UK

You could get £5,000 towards installing a biomass boiler through the Boiler upgrade Scheme.