Best Renewable Heating Solutions
Renewable heating solutions reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and protect yourself from rising energy prices. Moreover, a renewable energy system will reduce your carbon footprint and minimise your impact on the environment.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a renewable heating solution. You not only need to weigh up the pros and cons of each system, but you also have to consider the practicality of installing each system and the space available at your property.
If you’re still unsure about which renewable heating solution is best for you, then this simple guide is for you.
Read on to learn more about each renewable heating option and its pros and cons.
NEW GOVERNMENT BACKED SCHEME – GET A £5000 GRANT
The UK’s Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has now been replaced by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). Homeowners can now recieve a grant of £5000 to support with the installation of renewable energy solutions, such as heat pumps and biomass. Read our article to understand more – discover more.
What are the best renewable heating solutions?
One of the most common questions from our customers is which option is the best renewable heating solution. The best renewable energy option for your property will depend on your budget, property space, and how much money you want to save on energy bills.
Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to renewable energy, the following renewable heating solutions provide you with a comprehensive range of benefits:
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps absorb heat from the environment to produce hot water to heat your home.
They work by absorbing the heat from the environment and transferring it to a fluid, which is compressed to increase its temperature. This heat is then transferred into the central heating system, to use for both heating and hot water.
There are two types of heat pumps: air-source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps.
The main difference between air-source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps is that air-source heat pumps absorb heat from the air whereas ground source heat pumps absorb heat from the ground.
Air Source Heat Pumps
An air-source heat pump is an electrical device that heats your home in an energy-efficient way. Air-source heat pumps extract heat from one place and transfer it to another.
This renewable heating solution uses a refrigerant system involving a compressor and a condenser to absorb heat. This heat is then circulated around the home through a central heating and hot water system. Furthermore, air-source heat pumps can also operate for cooling too.
What are the advantages of air-source heat pumps?
Air-source heat pumps have several advantages. These include:
- Reduced carbon footprint by using a renewable energy source
- Cheaper to run than traditional alternatives
- Ideal solution for underfloor heating
- Can be used to provide cooling in the summer months
- Little maintenance required
- Compact in size and highly efficient
- This renewable heating solution is included in the Renewable Heat Incentive
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Ground source heat pumps extract thermal energy from the ground near your property and convert this energy into heating for your home and hot water.
Ground source heat pumps use a simple renewable heating system through the use of pipes.
How do ground source heat pumps work?
To put it simply, a pipe with a fluid called TTF (Thermal Transfer Fluid) is placed outside your property. The heat from the ground is easily absorbed into the fluid. Subsequently, this heated fluid goes through a process called Heat Exchange, which heats your home’s water.
Ground source heat pumps are designed to work in cold temperatures which is ideal for homes in the UK.
What are the advantages of air-source heat pumps?
Ground source heat pumps have several benefits. These include:
- Reduced carbon footprint by using a renewable energy source
- Heats your home and hot water
- A great solution for underfloor heating
- Can be used with your existing heating system
- Options for homes with limited space
- This renewable heating solution is included in the Renewable Heat Incentive
Biomass Heating
Biomass provides all your heating and hot water, with a clean, sustainable fuel eliminating the requirement for fossil fuel. Biomass boilers burn wood pellets, from sustainable sources and create an environmentally friendly carbon cycle.
The UK Government also recognises the benefits of Biomass and to encourage installations, are offering generous payments through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
Modern Biomass boilers are almost completely automated, requiring only an annual service. Simple heating controls run the heating and hot water just as a conventional system.
Biomass systems can work in most properties and they replace completely gas boilers and oil boilers. They can be connected to existing heating systems with minimum disturbance.
What are the advantages of biomass boilers?
Biomass is a modern solution for lower fuel costs and reduced emissions. Their benefits include:
- Reduced carbon footprint by using a renewable energy source
- A viable alternative when replacing or installing an oil boiler, LPG, or gas boiler
- A great solution for underfloor heating
- Can be used with your existing heating system
- Switching to Biomass gives independence from fluctuating energy prices
- UK-sourced wood fuel supports local businesses and the rural community
- Reduced storage and security costs of fuel as opposed to oil boilers and LPG
- This renewable heating solution is included in the Renewable Heat Incentive
A-Rated Boilers
Heating your home, particularly during the colder winter months, can make up more than half of your energy bills.
However, an A-rated boiler will get maximum heat energy out of the fuel it burns, lowering heating bills and minimising carbon emissions.
Therefore, replacing an old inefficient boiler with a new modern reliable condensing boiler will improve efficiency to over 90%, thus saving you a minimum of 30% per year on your home heating bills.
Different Types of A-Rated Boilers
There are a number of A-rated condensing boilers, including Worcester Bosch, Glow Worm, and Vaillant.
Getting the right boiler installation for your home will depend on a number of factors, such as the size of your property, number of rooms, energy source, and the location of the replacement boiler.
Subsequently, this is why we recommend having a free boiler quotation with one of our boiler specialists. Our customers benefit from having the best advice so that they can make informed decisions.
If you need a new boiler then please contact us for free professional advice and a boiler installation quote.
What are the benefits of installing an A-rated boiler?
There are several benefits to having a modern a-rated boiler in your property:
- Reduced energy bills
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Long warranties and durability
- Low maintenance
- A-rated modern boilers are often smaller, freeing up valuable space in your property.
- Potential benefits from the government supported schemes and grants
Smart Heating Controls
Smart heating controls are internet-connected programmable controls for central heating and hot water.
The smart heating controls link up to the boiler to improve efficiency and reduce the amount of wasted heat by having better control. Furthermore, users can operate heating remotely by using devices such as a smartphone, tablet, or PC.
Smart heating controls are a great renewable energy heating solution as they allow you to control your home energy consumption better, lowering the demand on your energy bills and lowering your carbon footprint.
Homeowners who have a requirement for controlling the heating remotely will benefit most. For example, if you are caring for a less-abled or elderly person, travel frequently and forget to turn your heating off or rent a property that requires the heating to be switched off in-between tenants.
Most noteworthy, the smart heating controls are excellent for remotely turning up your heating so that you arrive back to a nice warm house.
What are the benefits of smart heating controls?
There are several benefits to having a smart heating control system on your property:
- Reduced energy bills
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Operating heating remotely via mobile phone, tablet, or PC
- Low maintenance
- Perfect for holiday homeowners, those that travel or care for elderly relatives
Renewable Underfloor Heating
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) claims that underfloor heating is more effective than radiators and therefore can reduce both your energy bills and carbon footprint.
A water-fed system is where a series of pipes is channelled under the floor and are connected to your boiler to circulate warm water.
This system is best suited to new floor constructions so it can be designed to hold the pipework effectively and ensure the heating doesn’t escape downwards. However, it can also be installed under existing floors.
Having an underfloor heating installation is a popular choice where a kitchen or bathroom has tiles or wood flooring. However, you can use this heating system under the carpet and throughout the whole property.
What are the advantages of underfloor heating?
There are several benefits to having underfloor heating in your property:
- Reduced energy bills
- Reduced carbon emissions
- It is effortless to run
- More space and design freedom
- It works will all floor coverings
- It provides safety and comfort
- Easy installation
VAT Reduction for Renewable Heating Solutions
From the 1st of April 2022, you can benefit from a reduced VAT rate of 0% on a selection of energy-saving heating solutions.
Installation of any of the following renewable heating services in residential accommodation qualifies for the lower rate of VAT:
- controls for central heating and hot water systems
- ground-source heat pumps (including ancillary supplies)
- air-source heat pumps
- micro combined heat and power units
- wood-fuelled boilers
The lower rate of VAT applies if the energy-saving materials are installed and the work is done on residential accommodation.
Learn more about Renewable Heating, Grants and Incentive Schemes
Homeowners can now apply for a £5000 grant through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). This is a government backed scheme to support the installation of heat pumps, biomass and other types of renewable energy solution. We have written this article to help our customers understand the benefits and take advantage of this opportunity – discover more here.
If you would like to learn more about renewable heating, please do not hesitate to contact our customer care team. We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about renewable energy heating solutions.
If you’re considering a renewable heating alternative for your property, we provide free advice as well as a free quotation so that you can weigh your options.
Heppelthwaite The Red Van Plumbers is the leading plumbing and heating company in West London. Our offices are based in Bourne End, near High Wycombe.
Consequently we have local plumbers and gas safe engineers covering a large area, which includes Acton, Wooburn Green, Marlow, Henley, Hemel Hempstead, Hillingdon, Maidenhead, Windsor, Amersham, Reading, Beaconsfield, Gerrard’s Cross, Watford, Redhill and London. Discover the areas we cover here.
The future is green! Check out all our renewable energy options and government backed schemes here.
BOOK A CONSULTATION / QUOTE
Book a FREE consultation with one of our renewable specialists.
Leave a Reply