Electrical main heating systems
If you are using electric storage heaters, please note that they are more cost effective if you are using electricity supplied at a cheaper night-time rate. Checking your tariff with your electricity supplier could save you money.
Traditional electricity production is energy intensive and use of direct electric heat sources can have a very negative impact on your BER result. A number of alternatives should be considered. Heat pumps use electricity to extract "free" heat from the ground, air or water. These natural sources of heat are naturally replenished by the sun, wind and rain. The role of the heat pump is to 'pump up' heat from a low temperature source, for example the ground under a lawn, and release it at a higher temperature into the central heating system. The type of heat pump you choose will depend on the space available inside and outside your home. For example, some heat pumps require a large buffer storage tank to be installed in your dwelling, while ground source heat pumps require either a bore hole or a large area of ground to lay the collector pipe.
Heat pumps operate more efficiently when providing space heat via an underfloor heating system rather than radiators. A condensing gas or oil boiler is capable of much higher efficiencies than other types of boiler, meaning it will burn less fuel to heat this dwelling. This improvement is most appropriate if there is an existing central heating boiler which needs repair or replacement, but there may be exceptional circumstances making this impractical. Condensing boilers need a drain for the condensate which can limit where they are located. This can be borne in mind if you are considering remodelling the room containing the existing boiler even if the existing boiler is to be retained for the time being.
Modern biomass boilers offer the warmth and comfort of wood heating while being highly efficient, clean burning and totally automatic, saving you time and money. They can provide a direct replacement for a regular boiler if there is an existing central heating system. Biomass boilers are often lit automatically and can continue to operate without manual intervention. Automatic fuel supply and thermostatic control means you can enjoy the comfort of biomass heating at the switch of a button.
Modern biomass boilers are often self cleaning and don't require daily maintenance. Biomass boilers generate considerably less net Carbon Dioxide than gas, oil or non wood burning solid fuel boilers. If you are using electric storage heaters, please note that they are more cost effective if you are using electricity supplied at a cheaper night-time rate. Checking your tariff with your electricity supplier could save you money.
Cost: High Impact: High