Green water heating options are often much cheaper and easier to install that electricity systems. There are a number of options available, and we’ve outlined the basic details below.

Solar Water Heating

Either evacuated tubes or flat plate collector panels are fitted to your roof, where they heat water which is stored in a tank and backed up by a boiler or immersion heater where extra heat is needed. The system works year-round, but will need back-up to heat the water further during the winter months. Every bit of heat you produce will save you fuel though.

Is it right for me?

You need to have a fairly large, sturdy roof space, preferably south-facing and with a clear, unobstructed view of the sun all day – if a tree or large building overshadows your roof then the panels won’t work as well. You can split the panels over east and west-facing roofs if you don’t have a south-facing roof. Panels can be fitted to flat roofs too. You need to have space for a large hot water tank – either replacing your existing one or adding an additional tank. Your boiler must be compatible too. The average cost of a system is around £4,800. See the Energy Saving Trust’s solar water heating pages for more information.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

You’d be surprised by the amount of heat there is under the ground. Pipes laid under ground in your garden can heat your house throughout the winter, working with either radiators or underfloor heating systems. The heat produced is not as intense as with a conventional boiler, so you will need to have the heating on for longer, but apart from the electricity used to run the pump, you are producing heat for free!

Is it right for me?

You don’t need a huge garden to install a heat coil, but the ground needs to be suitable for digging a trench, and there has to be access for digging machinery. You property needs to be well insulated for the system to be effective.  The system works best with underfloor heating – if you have radiators then you may need to replace some with larger ones. Installation costs vary but could be something like £9,000-£17,000. See the Energy Saving Trust’s ground source heat pages for more information.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Just as ground source heat pumps draw heat from the ground, air source heat pumps draw heat from the air – even when the temperature is below zero! Heat from the air is passed through an exchanger and a compressor, concentrated into  higher level of heat that can be used to heat your home. Air-to-water systems heat water to run through underfloor heating or radiators, and air-to-air systems fan hot air around the house.

Is it right for me?

You need a place outside where the unit can sit, which has space around it for good air flow. Like ground source pumps, you need good insulation and the system works best with underfloor heating. For both ground and air source, the system is not advised if you are replacing gas heating but it can save a lot if you are currently using electricity or solid fuel. See the Energy Saving Trust’s air source heat pages for more information.

Biomass – Wood Fuelled Heating

Wood, in the form of pellets, chips or logs, can be used to heat either a room or a whole house. A wood burner or stove with a back-boiler can heat water, or a biomass boiler can be connected to the central heating system. Burning wood still creates carbon dioxide, but only as much as the original tree absorbed in its life. As long as you use a renewable wood source, this method of heating is environmentally-friendly.

Is it right for me?

You need a reasonable amount of space – for the stove or boiler itself, and to store the wood to burn in it. You also need a suitable flue – an existing chimney can be lined for this purpose, or for biomass boilers a new flue can be installed (subject to planning permission). You also need to ensure you don’t live in a smokeless zone. Costs vary widely according to type of stove/boiler, from around £2000 for a simple log stove, to over £1000 for an automatic-feed pellet boiler. You need to consider the cost of the fuel too. These systems are most suitable for rural properties. See the Energy Saving Trust’s wood fuelled heating pages for more information.

 

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