As the government is racing towards it’s target of becoming net zero by 2050, the need for efficient and effective solutions to the outdated and high emission products has never been more urgent. With this in the forefront of our minds, the Government is offering help and alternatives.
One of these is the Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP). These are being touted as the ‘go to’ zero carbon product to replace your old gas boilers and a £5k grant is even being floated around to help with the switch under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. 10,000 ASHP have been installed in the UK already and 1.5 million were installed in Europe during 2020.
However, is the ASHP for you? The push is on but there are many alternatives to explore as you start your personal journey to a zero emissions future.
Moving away from old, aggressive high emission gas boilers is top priority, with the government aiming to phase out installation beyond 2035, even banning them in new builds from 2025. 15% of UK greenhouse gas emissions come from domestic energy use – mainly from gas boilers still heating 85% of UK homes. Even more frighteningly, the UK’s home gas boilers are emitting twice as much Co2 than all UK power stations!
What Are Air Source Heat Pumps?
The Air Source Heat Pump uses heat from the outside air and converts it into water, then transferring this heat to the radiators in your home providing you with warmth! – they can also be used to heat your taps for hot water, baths and showers; however, this does require you to own a hot water cylinder. The beauty of air source heat pumps is they produce more heat than the energy required to run them, providing them with an efficiency rating of around 300%, so for every 1kWh of electricity used, it will generate 3 times as much heat! Pretty efficient.
An exclusive element of Fischer’s Air Source Heat Pump is the fact the hot water side of the system is completely independent from the heating side, allowing you ultimate control – which isn’t available in traditional ASHPs. In the summer, when you won’t be relying on the heating elements this frees you from loud fan noise whilst spending time quality time in your outside space
Whilst the ASHP is a fantastic, low carbon alternative to old gas boilers, they aren’t for everyone. ASHPs require space outside, enough space to allow air flow to function and whilst there is a £5k grant available, the scheme is only running until 2028 and typical installation costs can vary between £7,000 and £13,000 depending on the property. In order to maximise efficiency of the ASHP, the home should be well insulated but the rates of home insulation installation plunged by 95% between 2012 and 2019, so this is another cost to factor in. We understand there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ approach to clean energy and with the variety of homes across the UK, sometimes it’s just not viable.
There are alternatives and here are five of the top zero emission options to heat your home.
Electric Heaters
In order to reduce energy usage, one of the key elements is to have complete control over your usage, Fischer’s Electric Heaters allow just that! Giving you the power to individually, wirelessly control each radiator with a Fischer Wireless Thermostat, you are now only using the energy you require. No more central controls, no reliance on boilers or hot water. The Electric Heater is uniquely designed, with maximum heat retention in mind thanks to the 40mm HeatCore technology, it’s core is double the thickness than others currently available. Fischer’s Electric Heater is it’s own independent being and packaged with 100% efficiency, keeping you warmer for longer, for less.
Aquafficient
The Aquafficent allows you to have more whilst also contributing your part to Net Zero. Storing four times more heat than a domestic water cylinder whilst also being discreet and only half the size of your average water cylinder. Not only is the environment being saved, but so is your space. Storing heat in what is amply named a ‘Heat Battery’ the transfer of heat from this to the cold water stored in the unit only occurs when and if the liquid is called upon, giving you hot water on demand. We all know, batteries need to be charged or changed, but the Aquafficient is self-charging and will continue to be so for 40,000 cycles – that’s around 50 years of usage. No servicing or maintenance required, no additional valves, no water discharge pipe compatible, piece of mind, with a clean, no frills or messy install – also being compatible with Economy 7 electricity tariffs and Solar Power.
Aquafficient ECO+
One of the requirements if you are considering a ASHP for all your heating needs, this is including hot water, showers and baths, is the installation or possession of hot water cylinder. The Aquafficient Eco+ does away with the need for outside units, bulky water containers and extra steps from the ASHP to heat your water. It can do it all, whilst being up to three times more energy efficient than a conventional water cylinder. Utilising the same tech as the ASHP, sourcing the warm air but this time from inside your home, rather than outside and converting it to water.
The Eco+ only requires access to two things, a standard 13 amp socket and an external wall for a singular vent pipe, instead of a whole unit outside of the property. You can enjoy water heated up to 60 degrees. The Eco+ also contains an automatic anti-legionella disinfection system and fail safe for hot water, a 1.5kW titanium heating element, so you’ll never be caught short.
Zero Emission Electric Boilers
There is no better way to contribute towards Net Zero than completely going 100% electric. Fischer’s Zero Emission Electric Boilers do just that. 100% energy-efficient at the point of use – sleek and stylish, an innovative choice as the future rapidly approaches, you’ll be ready. Offered as combi boiler and a wall mounted heat only electric boilers. This is a fantastic choice if you don’t fancy replacing the radiators. Replacing the boiler to one which is green, zero emissions, requires little to no maintenance and easily outweighs the average lifespan of your average boiler due to easier, individually replaceable parts, seems like the obvious choice!
Aside from the environmental benefits, the Zero Emission Electric Boilers can be flexibly installed, almost anywhere in the property and have the beauty of only, sometimes purring whilst in use, instead of the crash bang wallop of gas. As a bonus, the heat only electric boiler can work seamlessly alongside the Aquafficient and Aquafficient Eco+ for a fuller integrated experience.
Biomass Boilers
When looking to reduce our carbon footprint, instead of looking to the air around us, or electricity as we’ve previously – we can look at the world at our feet instead, the trees, plants, various other organic matters to fuel our future.
Biomass Heating systems uses these elements to generate heat for single rooms, such as a wood fire or even when connected to a central heating system, an entire property. Additionally, wood-fuelled biomass boilers can save you up to £1,100 a year.
Whilst carbon dioxide is emitted when burning these fuels, it’s a far, far lower amount than traditional fossil fuels and sustainable, as long as new trees and plants are replacing those used. Space can be issue for some, as storage would be required to keep the fuel and wood boilers tend to be larger than their high emission contemporises. Planning permission is one more hurdle to overcome. In the long run, a biomass boiler is going to radically help you on the journey towards net zero. Biomass Boilers also fall under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, offering a grant up to £5000 towards the cost!
Warm Home Hybrid Package
A bonus alternative combines a few of our previous suggestions together to form a package that will see the emissions disappearing from your home in no time at all. Compromising of the Fischer Air Source Heat Pump, Aquafficient ECO+ and Fischer’s 40mm HeatCore Radiators – these three work together in conjunction to ensure your home stays warm to the desired level, still providing you with all the control. Individual thermostats, the ability to alternate the usage of your Heat Pump, thanks to the separation of heating and hot water elements and the instant and the fail safe hot water provided by the Aqufficent ECO+. The Warm Home Hybrid Package is one for those who wish to move their emissions dramatically down and efficiency up, covering all bases, not allowing for a single chilly spot left in the home.
- The Importance of Genuine Customer Experiences - August 14, 2024
- What Is the Best Electric Water Heating 2024? - August 9, 2024
- Five Steps for Improving Home Energy Efficiency - July 30, 2024