Your Guide: Sustainable Heating Systems for UK Homes
Eco-friendly homes have become an important part of the housing market as more people look to reduce their carbon footprint and electricity bills. This alongside targets set out by the government, as well as schemes to reach these goals, makes choosing eco-friendly heating solutions both a practical and ethical decision.
As leaders in surveying, we understand the trends of the market and have long supported homeowners with advice and support on properties as a whole, from structural issues to heating and more.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at why sustainable heating is an important part of the property consideration and what types of heating are most popular for new and existing homes.
Why is sustainable heating important?
When it comes to considering property costs, heating isn’t usually at the front of the queue. However, home heating is a significant portion of the country’s overall carbon footprint accounting for 17% of overall carbon emissions. Within this, between 13-14% comes from domestic homes and homeowners are increasingly aware of their carbon footprint along with the associated costs of heating.
What is the best eco-heating for your home?
For eco-friendly, economical heating, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, there are several sustainable heating options available in the UK, each with unique benefits. Solar thermal systems, biomass boilers, and both ground and air source heat pumps are among the most popular and efficient choices for homeowners.
This is especially relevant given the rising costs to heat the home and inflation leading more homeowners towards alternative heating solutions.
Solar thermal systems
Probably the most well-known, solar thermal systems (active or passive) use the sun’s rays to heat the home. This is one of the top alternatives to gas boiler central heating with solar panels, or thermal pads, which capture energy from the sun, and convert it into heat for water and space heating. Ideal for homes with ample roof space exposed to sunlight (especially southern-facing homes) they are cost-effective and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.
As expected, higher levels of sunlight are critical for solar power’s value and are more useful the further south you go. For example, a home powered by solar on the south coast of England and Wales will have more potential savings than a property with solar power in the Scottish Highlands. However, this doesn’t mean they are not viable, just less effective. As ever, we recommend consulting an energy expert to see what options are available to your property.
It’s also worth noting that solar thermal heating systems won’t provide for your entire home, with most systems heating a portion of the water or space required. Each home will vary according to performance, but almost every home will require an auxiliary power supply such as a boiler or heat pump.
As for costs, installations vary with a typical 3.5 kilowatt-peak solar panel system costing around £7,000. This equates to about an annual saving of £145 a year. Solar panels are a long-term investment and can take over a decade to reach the breakeven point. Once covered though, you’ll start to see a much bigger saving in the long term and have the added benefit of sourcing your power via renewable means.
Passive solar design
Along with active solar systems, you can also consider passive solar. Usually suitable for new builds, this approach involves designing your home to maximise sunshine through aspect, large windows, maximising thermal mass, and using highly efficient insulation.
Each case in this form of solar is unique so you will need to consult an energy expert and work together with your contractor, builder, and architect to find the best possible passive solution.
If you need a little extra support, we provide comprehensive valuations and surveys and will be offering advice regarding energy performance certificates (EPCs) in the future. For more information please contact our team or take a look at our services to see how we can help you.
Biomass boilers
Utilising renewable materials like wood pellets or chips, these boilers are an excellent alternative to traditional gas or oil boilers. They are particularly suitable for properties not connected to the gas grid and offset your carbon footprint by allowing you to source renewable materials to burn. However, it’s worth noting that burning wood does cause pollutants so may not be the first choice for homeowners who want to be as green as possible.
Ground and air source heat pumps
Heat pumps are another alternative. These pumps extract the latent heat from the air or ground and use it to heat homes. Heat pumps are considered among the best eco-friendly heating systems thanks to their efficiency and can significantly reduce carbon emissions. It is also worth noting, that while the initial installation can be costly (between £12-15,000 without a grant), the long-term savings and environmental benefits are substantial.
Ground source heat pumps
Ground source heat pumps are an eco-friendly way to heat a home. These systems use the earth’s constant temperature as a source of heat in the winter and a sink for warmth in the summer. They work by feeding water through a series of pipes in the ground, extracting heat and pumping it into your home.
They’re highly efficient, with a coefficient of performance (COP) rating between three and five. This means that for every unit of energy used to power the heat pump, three to five units of heat energy are provided to the home. Additionally, geothermal heat pumps don’t burn fossil fuels, meaning they don’t produce any direct greenhouse gas emissions, which is a win-win for the environment.
Air source heat pumps
Another popular and eco-friendly option for heating a home is installing an air source heat pump. These systems work similarly to ground source heat pumps, but instead of using the ground as a heat source, they use the outside air. They’re also highly efficient, with COP ratings as high as 3.5 (and don’t produce direct greenhouse gas emissions either).
Both heat pumps need to be installed externally which means these options are only available to properties with outdoor space to house them.
Evaluating Your Home for Sustainable Heating
Choosing the right sustainable heating option requires careful consideration of your property’s specific characteristics. Factors such as location, size, and current heating systems play a vital role in determining the most suitable option. At Watsons, we provide bespoke surveys and registered valuation services tailored to your property, to help you make the most of your investment.
We recommend checking the value and health of your property before investing in an expensive eco-friendly heating system to ensure that you can reap the benefits of your long-term investment. Equally, an in-depth survey can identify any structural issues before you begin so you can repair and update your property before investing in a new heating system.
Support on how to heat your home while staying green
In general, there are several eco-friendly options available. These can be costly. For example, while a standard combi boiler might cost around £3,000, a biomass boiler could be priced at about £16,000 as stated by Checkatrade.
However, the operating costs of eco-friendly boilers are lower. For instance, a biomass boiler‘s fuel cost per unit of energy (kWh) is less than that of an oil-fired combi boiler. On the other hand, electric boilers are less expensive to install but can be costly to run unless powered by renewable sources like solar or wind energy.
For those considering switching to an eco-friendly boiler, financial support may be available. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), active until 2025, offers up to £5,000 for a new biomass boiler and up to £7,500 for air or ground source heat pumps, with one grant per property.
Additionally, low-income households might qualify for an ECO boiler grant, potentially reducing the replacement cost of an old, inefficient boiler to as little as £240.
Overall, the initial cost of installing sustainable heating systems (whichever you choose) can vary, but the long-term savings in energy bills and the potential increase in property value make it a worthwhile investment.
Watsons commitment to sustainable living
We understand that everyone wants the best return on their investment and the importance and complexities of transitioning to sustainable heating systems, whether it be biomass boilers, heat pumps, or solar home heating. To this end, we offer expert valuations and surveys to assist you in making the right decision for your home, office, or commercial space.
If you’re considering solar energy, biomass boilers, or any advanced eco-friendly heating solution, our team offers expert advice tailored to your unique property needs, ensuring optimal efficiency and compliance with upcoming regulations. Contact us today to find out more about our valuation and survey services to see if going green is for you.
