A Greener Future with Pathfinder Homes

Pathfinder Homes are built to last, so they’ve been invested in finding ways to help reduce the impact they have during their lifetime! Whether this is via new technology in the homes or green partnerships, Pathfinder Homes continue to look at innovative ways to reduce their impact on the environment.

Air to Air Heat Pumps

In light of the announcement that oil and gas boilers will be banned for new homes in 2025. Pathfinder have looked to be ahead of the game in switching over to new regulations, with their latest model The Belvedere being fitted with an Air to Air Heat Pump!

Heat pumps transfer heat from the air outside to the air inside your home, increasing the temperature of the air in each room. This heated air enters your home through a succession of fan coil units, or ‘blowers’. Air-to-air heat pumps are sometimes known as air conditioners. While most people associate air conditioning with cooling, it may also be used to heat buildings. Because a heat pump does not heat water delivered to the taps, you will need to find another means to heat water for showering and bathing. Energy is becoming more low-carbon as additional renewable sources are added to the grid and replace ageing gas and coal power plants. This makes a heat pump an extremely low carbon heating option, and increasingly so as our electricity grid further decarbonises.

“Household gas prices are on the rise and are expected to increase by another 84% in April. Electricity prices have risen too, but not as much as gas. This means that renewable heating technologies such as heat pumps are now much more competitive. The analysis below shows that, with an efficient heat pump, households can now save up to 27% on their heating bills compared to a gas boiler. Heating with an average gas boiler will cost households £984 per year, up from £579. A very efficient heat pump will only cost £723 per year, up from £536 per year. For an average household, this is a saving of £261 per year. With government looking to shift green levies from electricity to gas, heat pumps will become even more financially attractive.” The Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)

Solar Panels (PV)

To help reduce the ongoing cost and impact of their homes Pathfinder have established a partnership with a solar expert. They can pre-fit solar panel clips making simplifying the solar panel process when your home arrives. Here are some of the Benefits of Solar PV according to Park Home Renewables:

• Future proof against rising energy prices.
  Reduce your reliance on grid energy and the rising prices from energy companies.
• Reduce your carbon footprint.
  Create your own renewable energy. Solar PV does not release harmful carbon emissions or other pollutants, making it an environmentally sustainable solution.
• Meet customer and stakeholder sustainability needs.
  We can help you understand and demonstrate how your solution helps to meet your sustainability needs.
• Long-term solutions with little to none community impacts.
  Solar PV operates silently, without moving parts or emissions and does not need direct sunlight.

According to The Money Helper, the average electricity bill per year for 2021 (Opens in a new window) was £769, based on annual consumption of 3,600 kWh/year. However, energy prices increased in April 2022 and again in October.

“The Energy Saving Trust estimates that home-owners in London who sell electricity back to their supplier using the Smart Export Guarantee scheme (SEG) will save between £360 and £610 a year. This is between £205 and £500 without SEG.”

Meaning that you could save anywhere between 27% – 60% on your electricity bill even without SEG! The more you’re home, the more you’ll save. The biggest savings come from using what you generate from your own system, rather than buying your power from an energy provider. You can also save on energy bills by using solar power to heat your water. A PV diverter switch can power the immersion heater in your hot water tank for you to use later.

Recycling

Pathfinder Homes try to keep their waste to a minimum at their factory but like any construction process, there are bi-products. Therefore Pathfinder Homes have partnered with a company that turns the waste into a new product range. You may have seen their new recycled plastic furniture range which was launched last year. Manufactured in Exeter with plastic they collect & recycle themselves, Pathfinder have a range of items including garden benches, picnic benches, dining sets and buddy benches.

“By using DCW for your waste services, we would like to reassure you that you are already doing the very best you can with your waste. We are committed in our mission to help save the planet, one bin at a time.”