The government is aiming to begin the phasing out of natural gas boilers from 2035. This is because gas boilers and central heating are harmful to the environment due to their high carbon emissions. The Energy Saving Trust has said we need to cut heating emissions by 95% in order to reach the net zero target set for 2050. To do this, we need to replace our heating systems with greener, low-carbon alternatives.
Hybrid heating systems
Hybrid heating systems use both a heat pump and a gas boiler and alternate between the two, using the one which is most efficient at the time. This results in lower carbon emissions and balances the environmental friendliness of a heat pump with the reliability of a boiler. It is very efficient and as the boiler is only used part of the time, it will have a longer life span. In order to comply with the manufacturer’s warranty, your boiler needs an annual service. If you are looking for a boiler service Cheltenham, you can find all the information you need at specialists such as www.hprservicesltd.com/cheltenham-boilers/boiler-service-cheltenham.
Air source heat pumps
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) take energy from the air and convert it into heat. The main advantages of ASHPs are lower carbon emissions, low maintenance and potentially lower fuel bills. They are also energy efficient, safer than gas and have a long life span. However, you might need to replace your radiators as some heat pumps don’t provide as much heat as a boiler. There is a high upfront cost to install ASHPs and you’ll need space outside to install it. You can discover whether a heat pump may be suitable for your home on the government website here:
Ground source heat pumps
Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) absorb heat from the ground. They use pipes buried outside in your garden and transport this heat into your home. The advantages of GSHPs are very similar to ASHPs. Again, there is a high upfront cost to install and it will cause disruption in your garden.
Repairing an old boiler before switching
Before ripping out a working system for an alternative, it helps to know whether the existing boiler still has life in it. A conventional boiler with radiators usually lasts 15 to 20 years. Most boilers are modular, so over that time many of the parts will have been swapped out anyway, and spares tend to stay available for years after a model goes out of production.
With regular servicing, an older boiler can keep running for a long time. Older units were often built to last, and keeping one going can be the greener choice even if it burns a little more fuel than a newer model.
If a gas boiler does need replacing, the modern option is a condensing boiler, which captures heat that would otherwise escape through the flue. It does not have to be a combi: condensing system boilers still store hot water, which suits larger homes. Weigh the fuel savings against installation costs, reliability and the space the unit takes up, because a new boiler can take several years to pay for itself.
How ground source geothermal systems work
Geothermal heating and cooling uses the natural heat stored in the ground to control the temperature of a home, making it a sustainable, low carbon option. Heat from deep within the earth warms the ground, and pipes carrying water can draw on that warmth, or shed heat into the ground to cool the house.
High density polythene pipes are laid in one of three ways depending on the property. A horizontal layout runs the pipes a short way down and then parallel to the surface. A vertical layout sends them a long way down before they return. Where there is a suitable water source nearby, the pipes can pass through the water and back through the ground.
Before installing a system, ask a professional to check that no buried pipes or services under your property could cause problems. Installation costs depend on the size and location of the home, so you will need a full estimate. Once running, a system uses very little energy to operate, which means low running costs and a strong environmental case.