Knutsford resident John, 89, shares his fuel saving tips

At 89, John Hillary jokingly fears he may not be around to reap all the rewards.

However this Knutsford resident is keen to share his tips to help people tackle the cost of living crisis.

John’s eco-friendly journey began a few years ago when he had solar panels fitted on the roof of his 1930s semi-detached home, near Tatton Park.

John Hillary at the back of his home, where solar panels have been fitted on the roof of the house and kitchen extension (Image: Public)

“At that time, when I was 87, the payback period was about 20 years, when I’d be 107!” said John.

“I must have been mad.

“Since then, to add to my folly I have had a Tesla battery, control gear, heat pump and water tank fitted.”

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The solar panels on his three-bedroom property, including a single storey kitchen extension at the back, face south.

“It’s absolutely ideal in the summer,” said dad-of-two John, who has also had solar panels fitted recently on a new two storey extension to replace a garage at the front of his house.

John, who used to work with the technical team at the former Ilford factory in Mobberley, decided to build an extension to increase thermal insulation to the side of the property.

A new two storey extension has been built at the side of John's home to improve insulation (Image: Public)

The extra space has created a garden room and utility room downstairs and a bedroom and ensuite bathroom upstairs.

The solar panels charge up a Tesla battery, which provides power for the whole house during the summer.

“Provided the sun shines, it makes me independent of external power sources,” said John, who still relies on some electricity from the mains in the winter.

“I decided to go the whole hog and put a heat pump in which provides hot water and powers the radiators.

“So I won’t had any gas in the house at all. I am having my gas supply capped and the meter removed.

“I was paying around £65 a month for gas and electricity before all the price rises.

“Now, I will be spending about £3 a day as I don’t need gas anymore.

“I don’t think my electric bills are going to be that crippling.

The water tanks and control equipment for the heat pump have now been boxed in a cupboard (Image: Public)

“In the summer, I supply power to the grid which will give me money back.

“Things have turned out better than I could have possibly hoped for.”

Sadly, John lost his wife Joan in December, just before their 65th wedding anniversary.

He has two grown-up children, a son and daughter.

“It’s a bit barmy to do this at my time of life,” said John.

“My daughter inspired me to have a go as she had solar panels fitted in her home.

“I’d advise anyone to make a plan and go through with it, don’t dither.

“You’ve got to make sure your house is well insulated to make it work.