See how a Powervault battery and solar panel installation saved a family money, how Brimstone Energy made it work, and why this one was extra special.
Why do you do what you do?
That’s the question, right there!
The answer for us at Brimstone Energy is, “We want to make a difference.” It’s written in our values of “Trust, Integrity, Quality.” And sitting behind all we do are the people who trust us with their installations and low-cost energy.
Like you, we believe in decarbonisation, in protecting our planet, and in secure, low-cost energy for all. So, with every survey, assessment, and installation, there is a story. Some similar to yours, some different, but all connected by people wanting to navigate the next part of the green energy transition.
Read on and find out about Bruce and Amy from Papworth in Cambridgeshire.
Their son has a degenerative medical condition. As a result of running additional medical and therapeutic equipment, their energy bills were extremely high. After receiving limited help and guidance from other companies, they found us at Brimstone Energy.
The rest, as they say, is a Powervault battery and solar panel installation, followed by lower bills for now and the future!
We love being a part of helping you and others take the next step to low-cost energy. We’re proud of this case study, as it really shows the importance of our values being more than just words on a website. Enjoy.
Tell us about how your project started
As a family, our electricity use is higher than some.
We have an EV car, but our energy costs are also increased by the medical equipment we need for our son. He has a degenerative medical condition and needs significant specialist care. In addition to his bed and other items, we have a hot tub, which is crucial to his ongoing therapy.
Where did you begin with battery storage and solar?
Due to our EV car, we were aware of the variable tariffs and electricity rates available. We were also aware of our increasing bills and had been thinking about how solar and battery storage could help us.
Before finding Brimstone Energy, it was hard to make headway.
We first got a quote for battery and solar panels from our previous energy supplier, and we progressed as far as them coming out for a site survey. It’s worth noting that the quote came before the survey… we later found this to be very different to Matt and Brimstone!
When they arrived, they immediately presented us with problems about the positioning of our garage and the way the electricity connected from there into the house. They were adamant that significant excavation work would be needed. It was disappointing, but we were willing to do the necessary groundwork ourselves. Even then, we were met with inflexibility and, in short, “No, we can’t do it!”
With the push for decarbonisation, it was equally surprising and frustrating. Not so surprisingly, we decided to change our supplier and settled on Octopus. After doing further research into our options, we were directed to the MCS Certified Installers website to try and find a local company.
Did you find Brimstone Energy on the MCS website?
Yes. We found Matt (Brimstone Energy) and another local installer. Matt came out and assessed our needs in person. The other company only quoted and advised online.
After our previous experience, we knew we needed an expert, not an installer who would only work to a template. It was pretty clear that Brimstone were keen to see what we needed; it was important to us that they understood our story, the needs of our son, and were happy to listen and find solutions.
What other research did you complete?
We knew we wanted to go ahead with installing a battery and solar panels.
For us, it was about being confident in the company we were going to work with. We looked at other case studies on Brimstone’s website, we checked out reviews… and, crucially, we met Matt.
Based on our electricity usage and supply, he found a solution that didn’t need us to dig up the drive (although he was happy to oversee this if we did), and he was confident in suggesting a number of options.
Note… we were given options following a proper assessment, not just a set “square peg” template. Matt’s expertise was clear, his care was obvious, and we were confident because he was.
Tell us about your battery and solar panel system
We’ve got 18 Trina solar panels on the roof, and our 15kWh Powervault battery sits neatly in the storage space at the side of the house.
The solar panels generate a massive amount of electricity, saving us money during the day. They also charge the battery so we can use this for free after dark, and any excess is exported back to the grid to pay us back even more. It really sounds good when you list it like that!
We can also see all the import, export and storage information on the Powervault app.
We’re stayed on our Octopus EV tariff, meaning we can charge our car (and now our battery if needed) overnight on a cheap rate.
How do you feel now the system is working?
We’re so pleased for that very reason… it just works and does what it’s supposed to.
We’re also much more in control of our energy use and, therefore, our bills. Right at the start, we could see a power drain on the app and our smart meter display each morning. The washing machine wasn’t running. The dishwasher wasn’t going. No oven cooking was happening. It was all pretty strange.
We spoke to Matt, and he gave us some smart plugs to test our appliances. We found the daily sanitation cycle for our hot tub was scheduled for the morning, before the sun was fully on the panels – it was this draining the battery.
Once we knew this, the fix was simple. We changed the timing, let the sun run the hot tub cycle, and immediately saved more money. It just showed how Matt was ready to make sure everything was working as we wanted it to.
So, does your battery and solar panel system make a difference?
It really does. We’ve now got our first month’s data to show it.
Bearing in mind it’s only been the start of Spring, we exported over 500kWh in a month. We were previously spending over £60 a week on electricity. Our bill has more than halved, even without the payback from exporting to the grid. From Spring to Autumn, I’m confident we’ll be at net zero.
It’s made (and will make) a massive difference to us and our son.
Lots of customers ask about the actual battery and solar panel installation. How did this part go?
From start to finish, the Brimstone Energy team was excellent.
Like we said, we’d struggled to find the right expertise and personalised service to help us.
With Brimstone, once we settled on our options, we were surprised by the speed. Matt’s team arrived in force, with the roofers and electricians briefed and fully aware of the plan. They all got straight to work.
The work was completed in a day, with a couple of return visits to make sure everything was as it should be. We’d prepared for disruption, but there was none.
Would you recommend Matt and Brimstone?
Wholeheartedly.
They gave a personalised service, presented options, combined these with guidance based on our needs, and communicated clearly from start to finish.
I remember there was a broken roof tile during the installation. If you think about it, we may never have known. But they told us straight away, secured it, and then went to four suppliers to find the perfect match.
That sums them up really… trust.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about solar and battery storage?
First of all, get clear on what you want and then make a plan for the right time to start the ball rolling.
From there, the MCS website is a great starting point to find local, accredited installers.
We’d recommend working with an independent installer. Our experience was that we got much better service and value for money. Brimstone customised the installation to our needs, we were part of the process, and we felt in control.
From Matt, Founder of Brimstone Energy
Bruce, Amy – thank you for sharing your experience working with Brimstone!
Behind every installation is a story or a family. We love making a difference, so having seen first-hand why the installation was important to you all, this project felt particularly important.
I’m sure others will see the benefits of finding an installer with expertise and a commitment to giving a personalised service. The project really shows how solar and battery can save you money when you work with the right team. Doing so takes away the stress and puts you in control.
Want to read a bit more?
Take a look at another battery retrofitting project we recently completed, this time when panels were already in place.
Or, if you’re a business, see how solar panels and battery storage can increase your profits.
For any advice or a quote, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.