What Is an EV Home Charger?

 

An EV home charger is a dedicated charging unit installed at a property for charging an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.

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The charger is normally connected to the home's electrical installation and positioned close to the parking area.

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Home EV chargers can provide a more convenient and controlled charging arrangement than relying on a standard domestic socket.

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Modern chargers may also provide smart functions allowing the vehicle to charge at particular times or respond to energy tariffs, solar generation and other household electricity requirements.

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Why Install an Electric Car Charger at Home?

 

For many electric-vehicle owners, home charging becomes the normal way of keeping the vehicle charged.

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A dedicated electric car charger can provide:

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• convenient overnight charging;

• faster charging than a normal domestic socket;

• scheduled charging;

• smart tariff integration;

• monitoring of electricity use;

• potential solar charging;

• integration with home battery storage; and

• a permanent charging point at the property.

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The right charger should be selected according to the vehicle, electrical supply, parking arrangement and wider energy plans for the home.

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EV Chargers and Home Electricity Demand

 

An electric vehicle can become one of the largest electrical loads within a home.

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This is particularly important where the property may also be considering:

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• an air source heat pump;

• air conditioning;

• electric hot water;

• battery storage;

• solar panels;

• electric cooking; or

• other high-demand equipment.

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Adding several electrical technologies without considering them together can place increasing demands on the property's electrical supply.

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A Green Home Survey can help consider both current and future electricity requirements before major systems are installed.

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Where Can an EV Charger Be Installed?

 

The best position for an EV charger will usually depend on where the vehicle is parked.

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Possible locations include:

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• driveways;

• garages;

• carports;

• side passages;

• external walls;

• dedicated charging posts; and

• private parking spaces.

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The location should provide a practical cable route between the charger and vehicle without creating unnecessary trip hazards or obstructing access.

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The distance from the electrical supply and the route required for new cabling can also affect the complexity and cost of installation.

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EV Charging for Homes Without a Driveway

 

Installing an EV charger is more straightforward where the property has private off-street parking.

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Homes without a driveway can present additional challenges because charging cables should not normally be allowed to create hazards across public footways.

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The options will depend on the individual property, parking arrangements and any requirements of the local highway authority.

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Where an electric vehicle is being considered before charging arrangements have been established, it is sensible to investigate the practical options first.

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Electric Car Charger Installation

 

Installing an electric car charger normally requires a suitably qualified electrical installer.

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The work may involve:

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• assessing the existing electrical installation;

• selecting an appropriate charger;

• providing a dedicated electrical circuit;

• installing protective equipment;

• determining a suitable cable route;

• mounting the charging unit;

• configuring smart controls; and

• testing and commissioning the installation.

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The existing electricity supply should also be considered, particularly where several high-demand electrical systems are planned.

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What Power EV Charger Do You Need?

 

The appropriate charging power will depend on the vehicle, household electrical supply and charging requirements.

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A more powerful charger may reduce charging time, but the property must have sufficient electrical capacity to support it.

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For many homeowners, overnight charging means that maximum charging speed is not necessarily essential.

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It may be more useful to consider how charging can be coordinated with:

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• cheaper electricity periods;

• available solar generation;

• home battery storage; and

• other household electrical demand.

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The best charging system is therefore not necessarily the fastest charger available.

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Smart EV Chargers

 

A smart EV charger can communicate with the electricity network, vehicle or home energy-management system to control when charging takes place.

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Smart charging can potentially allow the vehicle to charge when:

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• electricity tariffs are lower;

• household demand is reduced;

• solar generation is available;

• the home battery is sufficiently charged; or

• the vehicle needs to reach a particular charge level.

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This can make an EV charger an active part of the wider home energy strategy rather than simply an electrical socket for the car.

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EV Chargers and Solar Panels

 

EV chargers and solar panels can work particularly well together.

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During daylight hours, solar PV can generate electricity that may be used directly by the home or vehicle.

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If the car is parked at home while the panels are generating, part of the charging demand may potentially be supplied by solar electricity.

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How much solar energy can be used will depend on:

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• size of the solar installation;

• weather conditions;

• vehicle charging demand;

• other household electricity use; and

• the capabilities of the charging equipment.

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Homeowners planning both technologies should consider the solar and EV charging system together.

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Can You Charge an Electric Car From Solar Panels?

 

Yes, solar-generated electricity can contribute towards charging an electric vehicle.

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However, the amount available will vary throughout the day and throughout the year.

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A vehicle battery is relatively large compared with the daily output of many domestic solar systems, so homeowners should not assume that a normal solar array will completely charge the car using solar electricity alone.

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The real opportunity is to increase the proportion of vehicle charging supplied by electricity generated at home.

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Smart charging can help make better use of periods when surplus solar electricity is available.

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EV Chargers and Battery Storage

 

Battery storage can add another layer of flexibility.

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A solar battery can store surplus electricity generated during the day and make it available later.

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This may allow some stored solar energy to contribute towards evening EV charging.

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However, the battery inside an electric vehicle is generally much larger than a typical domestic home battery.

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A single vehicle-charging session can therefore consume a substantial amount of stored household electricity.

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Solar panels, home battery storage and EV charging should be sized and considered as one overall energy system.

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EV Charging and Smart Energy Tariffs

 

Electric vehicles can be particularly well suited to time-of-use electricity tariffs because charging can often be moved to cheaper periods.

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A homeowner may plug the vehicle in during the evening but programme the charger to begin charging later when electricity is less expensive.

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Smart charging may also allow the system to respond automatically to tariff periods.

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Where home battery storage is also installed, electricity consumption can become even more flexible.

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The home may potentially:

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• charge the EV at cheaper times;

• charge the home battery when tariffs are low;

• use solar electricity during the day; and

• reduce grid electricity consumption during higher-cost periods.

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Zappi EV Chargers

 

Searches for the Zappi EV charger reflect the growing interest in chargers designed to work alongside home solar generation.

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Products in this category can be particularly attractive to homeowners who want their EV charging strategy to form part of a wider solar and battery system.

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When comparing a Zappi charger or any other EV charging product, it is worth considering:

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• compatibility with your vehicle;

• charging power;

• solar integration;

• smart charging features;

• app and monitoring functions;

• installation requirements;

• warranty; and

• compatibility with future home energy equipment.

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The choice of charger should follow an assessment of the home and charging requirements rather than being based solely on brand.

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Wallbox EV Chargers

 

Wall-mounted chargers are one of the most common forms of residential EV charging.

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A wallbox charger can provide a neat permanent charging point close to the parking area.

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Different manufacturers offer a range of designs and smart functions.

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When choosing a wallbox, homeowners should consider the electrical installation, cable arrangement, vehicle compatibility and whether solar or smart-tariff integration will be required.

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Where the charger will be prominently visible on the property, appearance and location may also influence the decision.

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Tethered or Untethered EV Charger?

 

Home EV chargers are commonly available in tethered and untethered forms.

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A tethered charger has a charging cable permanently attached.

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This can be convenient because the cable is always ready for use.

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An untethered charger has a socket into which a separate charging cable is connected.

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This can provide a tidier appearance when the charger is not being used and may offer greater flexibility if vehicles or connector requirements change in the future.

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The best choice is largely a matter of convenience, appearance and the vehicles being charged.

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How Long Does Home EV Charging Take?

 

Charging time depends on several factors, including:

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• vehicle battery capacity;

• amount of charge remaining;

• charger power;

• maximum charging rate accepted by the vehicle; and

• whether charging power is being managed by the home energy system.

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Most homeowners do not need to recharge an empty battery completely every day.

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The normal pattern may simply involve replacing the electricity used during that day's driving.

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This is why overnight home charging can work effectively even where the charging system is not operating at the highest possible power.

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How Much Does an EV Charger Cost?

 

EV charger costs vary according to the equipment and complexity of the installation.

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The total price may be affected by:

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• charger manufacturer;

• charging power;

• smart features;

• solar integration;

• cable length;

• distance from the consumer unit;

• electrical alterations;

• wall or post mounting;

• groundworks;

• parking arrangements; and

• complexity of the cable route.

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A straightforward installation beside an existing electrical supply may be relatively simple.

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A charger positioned a long distance from the house or requiring substantial electrical upgrades can cost considerably more.

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EV Charger Running Costs

 

The cost of charging an electric car at home depends largely on the electricity tariff and the efficiency of the vehicle.

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Homeowners using time-of-use tariffs may be able to charge during lower-cost periods.

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Solar panels can potentially reduce the amount of electricity purchased from the grid, while battery storage may provide additional flexibility.

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The actual cost per mile will therefore depend on both the vehicle and the way the home energy system is managed.

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EV Charging Stations and Public Charging

 

Public EV charging stations remain important for longer journeys and drivers without reliable home charging.

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However, homeowners with suitable parking can often complete a large proportion of their everyday charging at home.

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Public chargers and home chargers serve different purposes.

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A home charger provides convenient routine charging, while public charging stations can provide additional capacity when travelling or when faster charging is required.

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For homeowners considering an electric vehicle, reliable home charging can significantly change the overall ownership experience.

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Do EV Chargers Need Planning Permission?

 

A typical domestic EV charger may be relatively straightforward from a planning perspective, but the circumstances of the property and installation location can still matter.

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Additional consideration may be needed for:

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• listed buildings;

• conservation areas;

• flats and maisonettes;

• leasehold properties;

• charger posts;

• prominent installations; and

• works affecting public or shared areas.

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Where there is uncertainty, it is sensible to establish the position before carrying out the installation.

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EV Chargers on Listed Buildings and in Conservation Areas

 

The appearance and position of charging equipment can become more important where a property is listed or situated within a conservation area.

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A discreet charger location, sympathetic cable route and careful treatment of historic fabric may be required.

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Where alterations affect the character of a listed building, further consent may be necessary.

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The charging solution should therefore be considered alongside the architectural character of the property.

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EV Chargers for Flats and Apartments

 

EV charging can be more complicated for flats because parking areas, electrical supplies and communal areas may be shared.

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Potential issues can include:

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• freeholder consent;

• lease restrictions;

• management-company approval;

• communal electrical supplies;

• allocated parking;

• cable routes;

• metering; and

• responsibility for maintenance.

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Apartment charging should therefore be investigated before assuming that a normal domestic wallbox can simply be installed.

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EV Chargers During an Extension or Renovation

 

An extension or major refurbishment can provide a useful opportunity to prepare for EV charging.

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Even if an electric vehicle is not being purchased immediately, the project may allow:

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• electrical capacity to be reviewed;

• cable routes to be installed;

• ducts to be provided;

• charger positions to be planned;

• solar panels to be considered;

• battery storage to be allowed for; and

• future electrical demand to be incorporated into the design.

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Preparing during building work can be considerably easier than digging up completed driveways or finished interiors later.

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EV Charging and Future Electrical Demand

 

Home energy use is gradually becoming more electrical.

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A property that currently uses gas for heating and petrol for transport may eventually use electricity for:

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• EV charging;

• heat pumps;

• hot water;

• air conditioning;

• cooking; and

• other technologies.

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At the same time, solar panels and batteries may allow more electricity to be generated and stored at home.

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This means the electrical design of the property is becoming increasingly important.

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Planning future demand early can help avoid installing systems that later require expensive alterations.

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EV Chargers as Part of a Green Home Plan

 

An EV charger becomes particularly valuable when considered alongside the other components of a modern home energy system.

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Solar panels generate electricity.

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Battery storage retains surplus electricity.

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An EV charger supplies the vehicle.

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A heat pump may provide heating and hot water.

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Smart tariffs can reduce the cost of electricity purchased from the grid.

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Smart controls help determine when energy should be generated, stored and consumed.

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The objective is to make these systems work together rather than treating each one as a separate installation.

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Independent EV Charging Advice

 

An EV charger installer will naturally concentrate on supplying and installing charging equipment.

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APN Green Homes takes a wider approach.

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A Green Home Survey can consider the charger alongside the property's existing electrical system, solar potential, battery storage and future energy requirements.

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This can help establish where the charger should be located, whether electrical upgrades may be required and whether solar or battery storage should be considered at the same time.

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Start With Your Home Energy Plan

 

Installing an EV charger is often one of the first steps homeowners take towards greater use of electricity.

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It can also be the point at which solar panels, battery storage and smart energy management become considerably more relevant.

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Before choosing a charger, it makes sense to understand how your vehicle will be used, when it will normally charge and how the additional electricity demand fits into the wider home energy strategy.

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NEXT STEPS

Every home is different, so the right next step depends on your property, your budget and what you want to achieve. APN Green Homes can help you turn the information you have just read into a practical plan for your own home. Whether you are considering one improvement or looking at a complete whole-home energy upgrade, we can help you understand what is suitable, what should be prioritised and where your money is likely to make the greatest difference.

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Choose one of the options below to get the ball rolling:

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BOOK A GREEN HOME SURVEY
Get a detailed assessment of your home with practical, property-specific recommendations and a clear plan for the improvements worth considering.

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BOOK A PHONE CONSULTATION
Talk through your property, ideas and priorities with us and get some initial direction on the best way forward.

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EMAIL US
Send us details of your property, photographs or any questions and we can advise you on the most appropriate next step.

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GIVE US A CALL
Prefer to speak to someone? Give us a call and tell us what you are hoping to achieve.

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Your greener, more efficient home starts with understanding the right improvements for your property — and putting them in the right order.