Project Moelfre:
an update
We’ve been working with residents of Moelfre to learn how we can reduce bills, improve the resilience of businesses and the overall community, and help the village thrive into the future.
Helping businesses and residents improve their EPC rating
The school, village shop, community hall, residential homes, and local café were all surveyed by sustainability experts and several interventions were identified at each site to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon emissions.
Ysgol Gymuned, Community School
The school had already seen investment in some efficiency improvements, including a heat pump and solar PV, however staff had not been properly briefed on the proper use of this technology, nor had the building fabric been updated sufficiently to make the most of the technology.
It was recommended that investment be made in training staff to fully understand how the heating system works, and to recommission the system so that it is able to properly meet the needs of the school and it be properly managed.
Moelfre Community Hall
Ann’s Pantry
Residential properties
After speaking to residents and learning about their heating systems, a need was identified for more optimised use of existing systems. The installation of efficient heating and cooling control systems such as HIVE or smart TRV valves would allow residents to have a better understanding and control of their heating systems.
An efficiency guidance document will also be produced to help advise residents on improving or upgrading their properties to help reduce running costs.
What are energy ratings?
Energy ratings in the UK are a standardised way to measure the energy efficiency of homes, appliances, and buildings. For properties, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are used, with ratings ranging from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
These ratings are calculated based on factors like insulation, heating systems, and energy usage. Higher-rated properties have lower energy bills and a smaller environmental impact. For appliances, energy labels also use an A-G scale, with additional considerations for factors like water usage in washing machines or noise levels.
How can technology make a difference
- Solar panels directly reduce energy costs, offsetting electricity use by supplying free energy during the busiest business hours. In a place like Moelfre where tourism is most active during the long daylight hours of the summer, the energy generation of a solar panel array perfectly matches the energy needs of business in that industry, making it a wonderful candidate to make the most of the technology.
- A HIVE thermostat is a smart thermostat designed to help keep houses warmer or cooler more efficiently. It can utilise remote controlling – meaning you can control your heating from anywhere. You can easily schedule your heating, even controlling which rooms to heat and when, reducing energy use. It can automatically heat your home when you’re present and reduce heating when you’re away, can help you look after your boiler in the long-term such as automatic maintenance reminders or help alert you to the danger of frozen pipes in winter, and it offers energy use monitoring so that you can reduce your energy usage.
- The electric dishwasher has the potential to make a huge difference to any business. Using a fraction of the water consumption of hand washing dishes and far less energy, the savings to bills alone would be instant. The high temperatures used while washing dishes in a dishwasher means that it’s much more hygienic than other methods too. Anybody who’s worked in a cafe during busy periods will know how high the dishes can pile up on bank holiday weekends – an automatic dishwasher means that more hands are freed up to do other essential work and deliver for customers, bringing a better service.
Powering Ynys Môn
and its people
Energy on Anglesey is not just about harnessing renewable energy; it’s about creating a sustainable and prosperous future for our community. Together, we are setting a standard for the rest of the world to follow.
Laura
Ann’s Pantry