A family from Bromley have managed to slash their electricity bills from more than £400 a month to around £40, thanks to a solar panel and battery system
With two electric vehicles, a hot tub, and a home equipped with smart technology, Ian Bowden, 39, said the move has saved him £4,320 a year, while also providing greater control over his energy usage.
Explaining the motivations behind the switch, Mr Bowden told Express.co.uk:
“With a busy household, our electricity use was already high, and energy prices were only heading in one direction. We were spending over £400 a month on electricity, and it felt unsustainable.” He added: “We live in a new-build that came with just one token solar panel, more a box-ticking exercise than something that could actually power the house. It seemed like a huge missed opportunity not to make the most of a south-facing roof.
“So when prices started fluctuating and the talk of further hikes began, we realised that the sooner we invested in a proper solar and battery system, the sooner we’d start to benefit.”
The impact on family life has been dramatic. Mr Bowden, who lives in a five-bedroom detached house with his wife, toddler and dog, said:
“The difference has been huge. Almost overnight, our bills dropped from around £400 to just £40 a month. In summer, we actually export more power than we use.
“That saving has given us room to enjoy life a bit more. It’s also meant we could make our home more comfortable.”
Read more: Express
