Nicola Terry

Recent posts from my blog

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Cambridge scientists recommend careful cost assessment before switching to heat pumps

The article on heating patterns, linked below, was picked up by PV magazine in this feature. Please don't be put off by the 20% increase in heat demand. In most homes you can usually expect half that or even less. In any case, a heat pump is way more efficient than any other type of heating you can get.

Article in Energy and Buildings on Heating pattern changes with the heat pump transition

When you change to a heat pump you are advised to heat your home steadily rather than intermittently as you do with a gas boiler. There are good reasons for this but it means your heating demand increases. The change needs to be taken into account when estimating future bills and, for the country as a whole, for estimating future electricity demand. I wrote this article in collaboration with my friend Ray. Ray Galvin, Nicola Terry (2023) How do heat demand and energy consumption change when households transition from gas boilers to heat pumps in the UK. Energy and Buildings.

Quick and cheap energy saving actions

What can you do to save money (and carbon) without significant outlay? See this report from Nesta (my part was mainly modelling) covering: reducing radiator temperature or hot water temperature, turn off pre-heat on a combi boiler, closing curtains, installing film over your windows, topping up loft insulation, smarter thermostats or TRVS ...

Calculators easier to use

I have updated the low carbon heating calculator, the electric vehicle calculator and the water usage calculator to make them easier to use. Why don't you give them a whirl?

Guides for living with solar panels, heat pumps, MVHR

These guides are for people who have renewable energy systems or low carbon heating already installed - they explain how to check they are working, what maintenance they need, what to do to get the best out of them. I also have a short presentation based on them that I have in November for CCF.

Thank you for coming to my website. If you wish to contact me please use the contact form.

If you are interested in my consulting services then please ask for a full CV but here is a brief resume .

If it is my workshops you are interested in, you can download the slides from this page. You might also like to play a game to test your knowledge of energy use or carbon savings. If it is my boook Energy and carbon emissions: the way we live today that has brought you to my site, then you will find information and extra resources here.

If you are interested in the building work we have had on our house then here is a quick introduction and lots of pictures.

If you are interested in my Transition Cambridge activity you had better start with that website (which I support so if you find any hiccoughs or have any suggestions do let me know).