Case studies
Discover how we’re supporting people across the North West to create greener, warmer homes.
Jamie’s success story
Jamie lives in a detached house in Preston with his wife and three children. With growing energy use at home and a rising electricity bill of £275 a month, Jamie began looking for ways to reduce costs and make the household more energy efficient.
He researched solar panels and collected quotes from a mix of local and national installers. As an EV user, Jamie knew solar made sense for his family, but the process quickly became overwhelming. Installers tended to use a lot of jargon, making it difficult to compare offers or know what size system he needed.
Jamie contacted Go Low for impartial advice. A Go Low advisor reviewed Jamie’s quotes, explained the technology in simple terms, and helped Jamie understand what would work best for his home. The advisor clarified the need for a battery, the role of the inverter, and helped Jamie feel confident in his choice.
With this support, Jamie chose a trusted local installer and had 14 solar panels, a 10kWh battery and a 5kW inverter installed. The total cost was around £9,000. The installer also included a car charger, allowing Jamie to charge his EV overnight at a lower rate.
Installation was quick and required no access inside the house, making the process hassle free. The battery and inverter were stored discreetly in a small shed outside, out of sight.
Thanks to advice from Go Low, Jamie switched to a night-time tariff and adjusted household routines to make the most of cheaper electricity at night. This included running appliances like the washing machine and dishwasher overnight, which further reduced his bills.
Jamie’s average daily electricity cost dropped from around £6 to just 80p. Based on current use, he expects to recover the full cost of the installation within six years. With around £100 worth of electricity generated each month during summer, he is confident it will cover winter usage too.
Go Low played a key role in helping Jamie understand what he needed, compare options with clarity, and maximise his savings.
Jamie said: “The Go Low advisor helped me compare the different options for my solar installation and find the one that was right for my home and family. The advice is free and impartial, so it made sense to chat with an expert before making my choice”.
*Name changed for customer anonymity.
Mumta’s success story
Mumta* from Manchester, who is vulnerable due to numerous health conditions, contacted Take Charge to discuss how to reduce her energy use and keep her home warm.
Our advisors helped Mumta apply for an Eco Flex grant to make energy improvements to her home. The Eco Flex team completed a full review of Mumta’s property and installatedimprovements worth over £20,000.
This included:
Thanks to these improvements, Mumta has significantly reduced her gas usage, going from being in debit to being credit. Mumta’s solar panels have reduced her electricity bills by a third.
The grant scheme has made a big positive impact on Mumta’s wellbeing.
*Name changed for customer anonymity.
