Question 1

How much do solar panels cost in Yorkshire?

Accepted Answer

A typical 3kW system starts from £3,995, a 4kW system from £5,295, and a 5–6kW hybrid system (solar + battery) from £8,495. All residential installations currently benefit from 0% VAT, saving you 20% on the total cost. Prices include panels, inverter, mounting, installation, scaffolding, commissioning, and MCS certificate. We provide fixed-price quotes — no hidden charges.

Question 2

How many solar panels do I need?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your roof space, energy consumption, and budget. As a guide: a 3kW system (8 panels) suits a small terraced or semi with a 1–2 person household; a 4kW system (10 panels) is most popular for 3-bed semis and detached homes; a 5–6kW system (13–16 panels) maximises output for larger homes or those adding battery storage. Our desktop survey identifies the optimal system size using your energy bills and satellite roof data.

Question 3

Do solar panels work in Yorkshire weather?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunlight. Yorkshire receives 1,150–1,300 peak sun hours annually — comparable to Germany, which leads Europe in solar adoption. Modern monocrystalline panels are specifically designed for low-light performance. Even on an overcast day, a typical 4kW system in Hull generates 500–800W. Annual generation of 3,400–3,800 kWh from a 4kW system is typical for Yorkshire conditions.

Question 4

How long do solar panels last?

Accepted Answer

Solar panels are warranted for 25 years and typically last 30–40 years. Panel efficiency degrades by approximately 0.5% per year — so after 25 years, your panels still produce 87–90% of their original output. String inverters last 10–15 years and are easily replaced (from £600). YEERS provides 25-year panel warranties, 10-year inverter warranties, and a 10-year workmanship guarantee.

Question 5

What is the payback period for solar panels?

Accepted Answer

Typical payback is 6–10 years depending on system size, electricity consumption, and whether you add battery storage. A 4kW system saving £650/year has a payback of approximately 8–9 years at current prices. After payback, you benefit from 15–20+ years of effectively free electricity. Adding battery storage reduces payback to 8–12 years but significantly increases annual savings.

Question 6

Do solar panels increase house value?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Homes with solar panels typically sell faster and at a premium of 3–14% compared to equivalent properties without solar, according to research by Rightmove and the Energy Saving Trust. Solar improves your EPC rating by 1–2 bands, which is increasingly valuable as energy performance requirements tighten. In Yorkshire, EPC-C+ homes command a measurable premium over D-rated equivalents.

Question 7

Do I need planning permission for solar panels?

Accepted Answer

Most residential solar installations are permitted development and do not require planning permission. Exceptions include: listed buildings (require listed building consent), conservation areas (installations facing a highway or public space may require permission), and installations that project more than 200mm above the roof plane. YEERS assesses your property as part of the survey and handles any necessary applications at no extra charge.

Question 8

Can I get free solar panels through ECO4?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if eligible. ECO4 provides fully funded solar installations for households with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G and a household income under £31,000 (or certain benefits). The LA Flex route also enables local authorities to refer households that don't meet the income criteria but face other vulnerability indicators. YEERS handles ECO4 eligibility checks and applications. Check your eligibility at our ECO4 checker tool.

Question 9

How much does battery storage cost?

Accepted Answer

A 5kWh home battery starts from £3,500–£4,500 installed; a 10kWh battery costs £5,000–£7,000. All battery storage installations benefit from 0% VAT until March 2027. Paired with solar panels, combination systems start from £8,495 for a 4kW solar + 5kWh battery setup. Standalone batteries (without solar) for tariff arbitrage start from £3,500.

Question 10

Is battery storage worth it?

Accepted Answer

For most Yorkshire homeowners, yes — especially if you have solar panels or are on a time-of-use tariff. A battery paired with solar increases self-consumption from ~30% to 70–80%, adding £200–£500/year in additional savings on top of solar. Standalone batteries on Octopus Go or similar tariffs (charge overnight at 7–7.5p/kWh, use at peak rates) can save £200–£400/year. Payback is typically 8–12 years with 20-year projected savings of £4,000–£8,000.

Question 11

Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this is one of the most common requests we receive. We assess your existing inverter: if it is a string inverter, we can often install a compatible AC-coupled battery. If your inverter is 10+ years old, we may recommend replacing it with a hybrid inverter at the same time (typically an additional £400–£600), which enables a DC-coupled battery for maximum efficiency.

Question 12

What size battery do I need?

Accepted Answer

The right size depends on your daily electricity consumption and solar system size. As a guide: a 5kWh battery covers a typical 2-person household's evening consumption; 10kWh suits a 3–4 person family; 13kWh+ is recommended for large homes with EV charging. A 4kW solar system generates an average of 10–12 kWh on summer days — a 10kWh battery captures most of this surplus for evening use.

Question 13

Do batteries work during a power cut?

Accepted Answer

Some batteries have EPS (Emergency Power Supply) capability, providing backup power during a grid outage. GivEnergy, Sigenergy, and Fox ESS all offer EPS-capable batteries. However, not all installations include this feature by default — it depends on the inverter configuration. Tell us if backup power is a priority and we will design your system accordingly. A 10kWh battery provides approximately 8–12 hours of essential power for an average household.

Question 14

How much does a heat pump cost?

Accepted Answer

Air source heat pump installations typically cost £7,000–£13,500 before the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. After the £7,500 BUS grant (which YEERS deducts from your quote upfront), the net cost to you is £500–£6,500 depending on system size and property requirements. This often compares favourably with a boiler replacement when combined with lower running costs over 10–20 years.

Question 15

Do heat pumps work in cold weather?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Modern air source heat pumps operate efficiently down to -25°C and maintain a COP (Coefficient of Performance) of 2.0–2.5 at -7°C — still 200–250% efficient, far better than a gas boiler at ~90% efficiency. Yorkshire winters rarely drop below -5°C. We select heat pumps specifically rated for UK cold weather performance and size them correctly for your property to ensure consistent warmth even on the coldest days.

Question 16

What grants are available for heat pumps?

Accepted Answer

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 for air source heat pump installations. This is not means-tested — available to any homeowner replacing a fossil fuel heating system. The grant runs until 2030. YEERS handles the entire application process and deducts the grant from your quote upfront. Additionally, 0% VAT applies to heat pump installations until March 2027, saving a further 20%.

Question 17

Is my home suitable for a heat pump?

Accepted Answer

Most homes in Yorkshire are suitable, but heat pumps work best in well-insulated properties with low-temperature heat emitters (underfloor heating or oversized radiators). Detached houses and semi-detached homes typically offer the best ROI. Victorian terraces can also work well after wall and loft insulation upgrades. YEERS conducts a full property suitability survey including heat loss calculations and radiator sizing as part of our free quote process.

Question 18

Will a heat pump save me money vs a gas boiler?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your property insulation and the electricity tariff you use. At current electricity prices, a well-insulated home with a heat pump on a heat pump tariff (Octopus Cosy, E.ON) typically achieves running costs broadly comparable to gas. The key advantage is that electricity prices are increasingly derived from renewables and are less volatile than gas. When powered by your own solar panels, a heat pump can cut heating costs by 70–80%.

Question 19

How much does an EV charger cost to install?

Accepted Answer

A 7kW smart home EV charger costs £800–£1,300 fully installed. This includes the charger unit, labour, cable run from your consumer unit, and any necessary upgrades. The OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant (£350) is available to renters and flat-dwellers in off-street parking. Workplace installations qualify for the Workplace Charging Scheme (£350 per socket, up to 40 sockets). YEERS handles all grant applications.

Question 20

Do I need to upgrade my electrics for an EV charger?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, no. A 7kW EV charger draws around 32A and can be added to most existing consumer units with a dedicated circuit. However, if your consumer unit is old or nearing capacity, an upgrade may be recommended for safety. YEERS carries out an electrical assessment as part of every EV charger survey. We'll identify any upgrades required upfront so there are no surprises on installation day.

Question 21

Can I charge my EV with solar panels?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and this is one of the most cost-effective combinations available. A Zappi EV charger can divert surplus solar generation directly to your car, effectively providing free motoring when the sun is shining. In summer, a typical 4kW solar system can provide 30–50 miles of free driving per day. YEERS installs Zappi chargers alongside solar systems as a complete package, including monitoring app setup.

Question 22

What EV charger brands do you install?

Accepted Answer

We install Zappi (ideal for solar divert), Ohme (smart tariff integration with Octopus Go and Agile), Pod Point (reliable and widely compatible), and Hypervolt (premium smart charger with cable management). We recommend the right charger for your vehicle and charging habits. All chargers we install are OZEV-approved and compatible with the OZEV grant scheme.

Question 23

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

YEERS covers the full Yorkshire and Humber region from our Hull base, including Hull, Beverley, York, Leeds, Sheffield, Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Bridlington, Driffield, Goole, Cottingham, Hessle, Hornsea, Selby, Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley, Wakefield, Bradford, Harrogate, and surrounding towns and villages. We also cover North Lincolnshire. If you're unsure whether we cover your area, contact us and we'll confirm.

Question 24

Are you MCS certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All YEERS installations are carried out under our MCS certification. MCS certification is the industry standard accreditation for small-scale renewable energy installations and is required to access the Smart Export Guarantee, Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and ECO4 grant. You can verify our MCS number at mcscertified.com. We are also NAPIT registered, RECC members, OZEV approved, and TrustMark registered.

Question 25

How do I get a free survey?

Accepted Answer

Contact us by phone (01482 765 095), email (hello@yeers.co.uk), or through our contact form. We typically conduct an initial desktop survey using satellite imagery and your energy bills — no home visit required initially. This allows us to provide an accurate proposal within 24 hours. A physical site survey is arranged before installation to confirm roof access, cable routes, and equipment placement.

Question 26

Do you offer finance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work with specialist green finance providers offering personal loans for solar, battery, and heat pump installations. Typical APR is 6–10% depending on credit profile and loan term. For many homeowners, monthly repayments are lower than monthly bill savings — making the system net-positive from day one. We also handle all grant applications, which can reduce or eliminate the amount you need to finance.

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