The true excitement of our eco journey begins now! With the budget we’ve freed up by choosing a modern, well-built property, we can immediately focus on implementing cutting-edge sustainable technologies that will dramatically reduce our carbon footprint.
Heat Pump Revolution: Goodbye Oil, Hello Efficiency
Our current oil heating system, while functional, is the biggest contributor to our carbon footprint. After considerable research (and many late nights comparing specifications!), we’re planning to install an air-to-water heat pump system.
Why are we so excited about this technology?
A properly installed heat pump can achieve efficiency ratings of 300-400%—meaning for every unit of electricity it consumes, it produces 3-4 units of heat.
Compare that to even the most efficient oil boiler at around 90% efficiency, and you can see why we’re eager to make the switch!
We’re currently evaluating systems from leading manufacturers like Mitsubishi Ecodan and Daikin Altherma. The investment will be substantial—between £12,000 and £18,000 including installation—but the long-term benefits are compelling:
- Potential reduction of 70-80% in heating-related carbon emissions
- Estimated annual savings of £500-£800 on heating costs compared to oil
- Eligibility for government incentives and grants
- Completely eliminating the need to store fossil fuels on our property
- Significantly reduced maintenance requirements
The installation will involve placing the outdoor unit in a discreet location, installing a hot water cylinder, and connecting it to our existing underfloor heating system—which, fortunately, is already perfect for heat pump technology since it operates at lower temperatures than traditional radiators.
Battery Wall System: Energy Independence 2.0
Energy storage is the missing puzzle piece in most renewable setups, which is why we’re particularly excited about installing a substantial battery system.
This technology has evolved dramatically in recent years, moving from an expensive novelty to a practical household solution.
We’ve been researching systems like the Tesla Powerwall and the SolarEdge Home Battery, with a capacity of around 10-14kWh. This would allow us to:
- Store excess solar energy generated during daylight hours
- Reduce our reliance on grid electricity during peak price periods
- Maintain power during outages (a not-infrequent occurrence in rural Ireland!)
- Eventually, with enough capacity, becomes virtually grid-independent
The cost is significant—roughly £8,000-£12,000 depending on capacity and features—but like the heat pump, this is an investment that would have been years down the line had we pursued the renovation project.
I’ve been particularly fascinated by the smart features of modern battery systems. Many can be programmed to charge when electricity rates are lowest and discharge during peak rate periods, potentially saving hundreds of pounds annually even before factoring in solar generation.
Expanded Solar Capabilities: Harvesting Irish Sunshine
One of the pleasant surprises of our property survey was discovering that the home already has solar thermal panels for water heating—a great start!
Now we’re planning to significantly expand this with a photovoltaic system to generate electricity.
Initial assessments suggest our roof could accommodate a 5-6kW system, which in Ireland’s climate could generate approximately 4,500kWh annually—roughly half of an average household’s electricity consumption.
Combined with our planned battery storage and energy-efficient appliances, this puts energy independence within realistic reach.
We’re currently exploring several options:
- Traditional fixed solar panels (most cost-effective)
- Solar tiles that integrate more seamlessly with our roof’s aesthetics
- Ground-mounted systems that could potentially track the sun for increased efficiency
What makes this particularly exciting is the improving economics of solar in Ireland.
Between falling installation costs, rising electricity prices, and the introduction of the Microgeneration Support Scheme that allows homeowners to sell excess electricity back to the grid, the financial case for solar is stronger than ever.
Smart Integration: Making It All Work Together
Perhaps the most intellectually stimulating part of this project is designing how these systems will integrate. We’re envisioning a smart home energy management system that can:
- Predict our energy usage patterns
- Factor in weather forecasts to optimize solar collection and heat pump operation
- Automatically shift non-essential electricity usage to times of peak solar production
- Provide detailed insights into our consumption and generation
This level of integration and automation would have seemed like science fiction not long ago, but today it’s an achievable reality—and we’re thrilled to be implementing it!
Learning Curve Ahead! 📚
We’re under no illusion that this technological transformation will not be simple or straightforward.
There will be learning curves, unexpected challenges, and moments of “what have we gotten ourselves into?”
But that’s precisely what makes this journey so exciting—we’re not just creating a sustainable home; we’re developing expertise that we can share with others considering similar paths.
Beyond Technology: The Permaculture Vision
While these technological upgrades form the backbone of our sustainability plan, we’re equally excited about the “living” aspects of our eco-transformation.
Our 1.95 acres of land presents a blank canvas for permaculture design—incorporating food forests, rainwater harvesting, and natural habitat creation.
These softer aspects of sustainability complement the high-tech systems perfectly.
After all, true sustainability isn’t just about sophisticated technology—it’s about creating a harmonious relationship between human habitation and the natural world.
We’ll be exploring these aspects in future updates, so stay tuned to see how our permaculture vision unfolds alongside our technological transformation.
The journey has only just begun! ✨