With energy prices rising across the UK, many households are looking at alternative ways to effectively heat their homes through renewable heating systems. With that in mind, we’re here to set the record straight on some of the most popular types of renewable heat and which ones can help you cut your energy costs as we head into the winter months.
What Are The Benefits Of Renewable Heating?
Before we get into the most popular and affordable types of renewable heating systems UK, we wanted to highlight some of the core benefits of renewable heating and how it can help households reduce their costs year-round.
Renewable heating technologies, such as those we discuss below, are – you guessed it – renewable, helping to reduce the amount of energy required to reheat your home. It’s a cost-effective, reliable way to make sure you make the most of the energy your home needs and uses.
Top tip: Through installing a renewable heating system in your home, you may be eligible for government funding as part of the Clean Heat Grant so be sure to do your research beforehand!
What Are The Different Types Of Renewable Heating Systems?
There are a number of renewable heat options available for all types of households. It’s all about select the best renewable heating system for you.
1. Ground Source Heat Pumps
Great for: Replacing conventional heating systems and taking advantage of the government’s domestic renewable heat incentive
Pros: Reduced energy bills and lower carbon emissions
Cons: May be expensive to install due to the upfront payment required
2. Air Source Heat Pumps
Great for: Efficiently heating radiators in even the coldest of temperatures in addition to its ability to provide underfloor heating and hot water
Pros: Air source heat pumps are also a part of the government’s RHI whereby you could receive payments to install in the home if eligible
Cons: To reap all the benefits an air source heat pump can offer, your home should already be well-insulated
3. Biomass Boilers
Great for: Improving sustainability in both domestic and commercial environments
Pros: Provides greater control over your heating costs as well as being a 100% renewable energy source that’s widely available
Cons: Required more space than an oil or gas boiler due to the bigger system required for it to work
4. Solar Water Heating
Great for: Utilising heat from the sun to warm the water used in your household
Pros: Can provide hot water year-round and offers reduced energy bills and a lower carbon footprint
Cons: Requires at least 5 sq. metres of room to install the solar panels to your roof. Must also be fitted in a sunny location
How To Apply For The Renewable Heat Incentive
The renewable heat incentive (RHI) is a government scheme that has been designed to reduce the carbon emission produced by households across the UK each year. Recently replaced by the Clean Heat Grant, it’s aim is to provide homeowners with a £5,000 or £6,000 one-off payment to go towards the installation of either an air source heat pump or ground source heat pump to contribute towards the UK’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
You will need to pass a series of eligibility criteria to determine whether you are entitled to sign up to the scheme and must be in possession of an energy performance certificate (EPC) that is less than 10 years old and does not state that the homeowner is recommended to install either cavity wall or loft insulation.
You can find out more about your eligibility online.
What To Consider
When it comes to deciding upon the best renewable heating system for your household, it’s important to consider a few factors such as how much energy your household uses on average now and whether that may increase in the future. Through doing so, you can really weigh up the investment of installing renewable heating and dictate exactly how long it may take for you to begin to reap the benefits financially.
Like most things, there are other factors you will need to consider before going ahead with the installation of your choice, such as the size of the heating system. Whilst many systems are compact, others require greater room or thought to ensure they work to the best of their ability.
If you would like to find out more about the different renewable heating systems available, get in touch with our heating specialists on 0800 876 6813 or email [email protected] today.
