What is the best heating technology for you?

Every year as we approach winter, the days get shorter, the nights get colder, and the UK starts to properly think about their home heating.

But this year is slightly different.

According to the Climate Change Committee, home heating accounts for almost 20% of our total carbon emissions each year. Understandably then, the way we heat our homes is under increasing scrutiny as the country continues its long journey towards a net-zero future. On top of that, households are gripped by ever-increasing energy bills. Plus, the solutions are much more varied than ever before, and with more options can come more confusion.

There is a need for us as homeowners to have a better understanding of the heating or cooling solutions we choose for our homes. We want to be sure we choose the right one for our home – one that not only keeps us warm during the colder months or cool in the summer but is efficient enough to help keep our bills down.

Luckily, there are many options available to us. Let’s have a look at some of the most widely adopted technologies on the market.

Boilers

Boilers are probably what you are most used to or aware of. They have been around for decades, and currently around 28 million homes have one installed – thanks to their suitability for most typical UK homes.

If you have a combi boiler, it can provide heating and hot water from one appliance. But if you already have a hot water tank, then a system or regular boiler is an alternative. Modern boilers are at such a level of efficiency that they can help keep energy bills down – particularly as they run on gas, which is cheaper than electricity.

If you already have a boiler and it breaks down, then it is simple and quick to switch it with a new model. There is no need to make changes to your property – such as new radiators or insulation – meaning installation costs can be kept to a minimum.

Not on gas? No problem. Many manufacturers also produce oil or LPG-fired boilers for those off the gas grid.

Finally, opting for a boiler now gives you the flexibility of adapting to a hybrid system in the future. But more on that later.

Heat Pumps

 Heat pumps are a growing alternative to boilers. They harness the natural warmth of the outdoors to heat your home – whether that be taking air from outside (air-source heat pumps) or the thermal energy from the ground (ground-source).

They use electricity to run, transferring the natural energy from the heat source into the heating system via an outdoor and indoor unit. A previous concern amongst consumers was that the outdoor unit was too large; however, recent innovations have greatly reduced the size of the unit, with manufacturers creating more sleek designs, so that a heat pump can fit nicely within a garden aesthetic.

As heat pumps can be 3 or 4 times more efficient than a boiler, they could also help reduce your fuel bills, particularly with some of the heat pump tariffs on offer from energy providers. They also offer a reduced carbon footprint thanks to the fact that they don’t emit greenhouse gas emissions*. This can be even greater if coupled with a renewable electricity source such as solar panels.

Importantly, heat pump adoption is a key part of the Government’s strategy to reduce UK carbon emissions. So much so, there are many incentives and grants available to reduce the cost of a heat pump installation. The most prominent one is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers upfront grants of up to £7,500 for replacing a boiler with an air or ground source heat pump. You can find out more about available grants here.

So, if you have a home that is well-insulated or are undertaking a large renovation, then a heat pump could be a serious contender.

Hybrids

 Hybrid heating systems are not as well-known as boilers and heat pumps, but they can offer the best of both worlds for those consumers looking for more than just a boiler.

It sees a high-efficiency heat pump supported by a gas boiler. According to a recent trial run by Worcester Bosch, the heat pump has the potential to deliver the majority of a home’s heating needs – a weighted average of 94%*. The boiler only kicks in to support when it is really cold outside. If the boiler is a combi, it also provides instantaneous hot water, ensuring maximum comfort all year round.

Choosing a hybrid also means there is no need to make changes to your property. The radiators, pipework and insulation can all stay the same.

This means hybrid systems are a great stopgap for anyone who wants to reduce their reliance on gas, but can’t commit to a full heat pump system right now. They are perfect for older or larger homes with high heat demand and existing boilers, or properties where radiator upgrades are particularly difficult.

*Based on analysed trial data from Worcester Bosch at the University of Salford Energy House Labs, for further information and full data visit worcester-bosch.co.uk/hybrid-heat-pumps-win

Air con

If you thought air conditioning was just for keeping cool, you wouldn’t be alone. But in reality, certain air con models can provide heat too.

Air conditioning can provide the flexibility to tackle the changing weather conditions with a simple click of a button. They can easily heat a room or house one minute and cool it the next.

Some can also improve air quality in your home. Many are fitted with purifiers that can reduce allergens, odours and dust for fresher, cleaner air – all whilst being energy efficient.

Just want to keep your bedroom cool? No problem. A split air conditioner connects one indoor unit to an outdoor one. Or if you want to cover the whole house, a multi-split air conditioner connects – as it says on the tin – multiple indoor units to the outdoor one.

Given they are simple to install and virtually suitable for any property type, an increasing number of installers are diversifying their portfolio to include air conditioning, making it readily available.

So which technology type is right for you?

 With so many different ways to heat our homes, it can get confusing when trying to decide what is right for you and your home.

In a tight spot because your boiler has broken down during a cold snap? A boiler replacement could be your simplest solution. Want to greatly reduce your carbon footprint? Say hi to heat pumps. Want the best of both worlds? Hybrids could be for you.

The best way to learn more is to visit a manufacturer’s website. Many, including Worcester Bosch, offer a detailed overview on the multiple technology types they provide, as well as online tools to better understand which ones would be most suited for your property. They can also connect you with local installers who can visit your home to provide their own expert guidance.

Whatever route you take, having a better understanding of the options available to you means you can have more control over your heating and, importantly, keep warm when the temperature drops.

For more information, visit Worcester Bosch’s website here.

* A heat pump, when running, emits less carbon dioxide than a gas or oil boiler.