Yes — this is one of the most common misconceptions. Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunshine, so they work perfectly well under overcast UK skies. Our Aiko ABC-technology panels are specifically designed to outperform in low-light conditions, starting up earlier and generating later in the day than conventional panels. The UK gets plenty of daylight to make solar very worthwhile.

It depends on your energy usage, roof size and orientation, and whether you add battery storage. On average, a well-sized solar system can cut your electricity bills by 50–70%. Add a battery to store what you generate during the day and use it at night, and that figure can rise to 90% or more. We'll give you a realistic savings estimate during your free survey — not an inflated one.

Solar panels alone won't power your home during a grid outage — for safety reasons, standard inverters shut down when the grid goes down. To keep your home running during a power cut you need a battery with backup capability. We can design a solar-plus-battery system that gives you both energy savings and blackout protection.

Most are. South, south-west and south-east facing roofs work best, but east/west-facing roofs still generate well. We carry out a full survey before recommending anything — if it's not going to perform well for you, we'll say so.

In most cases, no — solar panels fall under permitted development rights. Exceptions apply to listed buildings and conservation areas. We'll confirm during your survey and handle any notifications required.

The SEG requires energy suppliers to pay you for any surplus electricity you export back to the grid. Once your system is MCS certified, we'll provide your certificate so you can sign up with your chosen supplier right away.

A typical residential solar installation takes 1–2 days. We handle all scaffolding, electrical work and grid connection notifications — you don't need to organise anything separately.

Yes — we include scaffolding as standard in our quoted price. There are no surprise extras once we've surveyed your property and confirmed your system design. The only exception is unusually complex access situations, which we'd flag upfront before you commit to anything.

An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air — even at temperatures as low as -15°C — and uses it to heat your home and hot water. It works like a refrigerator in reverse: refrigerant absorbs heat from the air, compresses it to increase its temperature, and transfers that warmth into your heating system. Because it moves heat rather than generating it, a heat pump delivers 3–4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity used.

In most cases, yes. If you have a regular boiler (with a hot water tank), the switch is relatively straightforward. If you have a combi boiler, you'll need space for a hot water cylinder — we'll advise on the best location during your survey. We may also recommend radiator upgrades in some rooms, though this is often less work than people expect.

Absolutely. Modern heat pumps are designed to work efficiently in cold, damp climates and can extract useful heat from the air down to around -15°C. The UK's relatively mild winters actually make it one of the better climates for heat pump performance. Hundreds of thousands of UK homes already use them successfully.

Heat pump installations typically range from £7,000 to £13,000 depending on your home size, system requirements and whether any radiator or pipework upgrades are needed. After the £7,500 BUS grant, many homeowners pay between £2,000 and £6,000 — often comparable to a full boiler replacement. We'll give you a fixed price after your free survey with no hidden extras.

Not always. Heat pumps run at lower flow temperatures (typically 45–55°C vs. 70–80°C for a gas boiler), so some older, undersized radiators may need upgrading for optimal performance. During our free survey we'll calculate the heat requirement for each room and advise on any changes needed. Underfloor heating works particularly well with heat pumps and requires no upgrades.

Heat pumps work in all types of homes, including older properties. The key is correct sizing — a well-designed system will keep your home warm regardless of insulation level. That said, improving insulation will reduce running costs and may allow a smaller, cheaper unit. We carry out a full heat loss calculation to ensure the system is correctly sized for your home.

Running costs depend on your home's heat loss, the system's efficiency (SCOP), and your electricity tariff. Most households see lower overall energy bills than with a gas boiler, particularly if they're on a heat pump-friendly tariff. Because heat pumps are 3–4× more efficient than gas boilers, even with electricity being more expensive per kWh, the total cost can be lower — and the gap narrows further with solar panels.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a UK Government grant that reduces the upfront cost of an air source heat pump by £7,500. To qualify, you must own your home in England or Wales, currently be heated by gas, oil or electric, and not have previously received a BUS grant at the property. We handle the entire application on your behalf and the grant is confirmed before any work begins.

Most residential heat pump installations take 2–3 days. This includes the outdoor unit, indoor cylinder (if required), pipework, electrical connection and commissioning. We aim to cause minimal disruption and leave your home clean and tidy. You'll have full heating and hot water before we leave.

Absolutely — solar and heat pumps are a natural combination. Your panels generate free electricity during the day, which your heat pump can use to heat your home or hot water. With a battery, you can store surplus solar to power your heat pump in the evening. Many of our customers install both together for maximum savings and carbon reduction.

Yes — a battery with backup capability automatically switches your home to stored power when the grid goes down, keeping your essentials running. How long it lasts depends on battery size and usage. We'll help you size the system around what matters most.

In most cases, yes. We retrofit battery storage regularly — whether that's a Tesla Powerwall, Fox ESS or SigenEnergy system. The right option depends on your current inverter, which we'll assess before recommending anything.

A typical solar and battery system can save a household £800–£1,400 per year at current energy rates. We'll provide a realistic savings estimate as part of your free quote.

Yes. Our solar PV and heat pump installations are carried out under our MCS accreditation — qualifying you for the Smart Export Guarantee, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and any future government incentive schemes. Battery storage installations are not MCS-certified but are fully compliant and registered with the DNO.

We cover Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Somerset. Not sure if we reach you? Give us a call on 01329 800680.

Fill in the contact form on this page, call us on 01329 800680, or email info@energize.uk.com. We'll arrange a free no-obligation survey at a time that suits you.

Clean Energy for Your Home & Business

Solar PV

Battery Storage

Heat Pumps

Underfloor Heating

Save More With Available Incentives

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Smart Export Guarantee

Zero VAT on Renewables

A Family Business You Can Trust

What Our Customers Say

Installations Across the South of England

Let's Talk About Your Project

Thanks, we'll be in touch!

Request a Free Quote

Frequently Asked Questions