Getting the Most out of Your Heating Systems
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Improving our existing homes by replacing older, inefficient fossil fuel heating systems with greener ones – like Air Source Heat Pumps systems and energy efficient boilers is one of our priorities.
The wider impact is delivering warmer homes which are cheaper for our customers to run. It also supports our climate change aspirations - making sure that all our homes are ‘net zero’ for carbon emissions by 2050.
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
What are the key benefits of an ASHP system?
It's a modern and reliable heating system that:
- keeps your home warmer
- uses less energy
- is better for the environment
- is easy to control and adjust.
How does an ASHP heating system work?
1 The air source heat pump takes in heat from the outside air
2 Using electricity and a compressor, heat from the air is absorbed into a fluid, warmed and released at a higher temperature
3 Heat is then sent to radiators, and any remaining heat is stored in the hot water cylinder
4 Stored hot water can be used for showers, baths and taps.
Gas Boilers
Gas boilers use mains gas to heat homes via radiators, and to provide hot water from taps and showers. Gas is burned, and the heat is transferred to water across a heat exchanger.
Traditional boilers have a separate water heater (usually an immersion heater) whereas more modern combi boilers produce hot water and heating from the same appliance.
A combi boiler only heats up water when it’s needed, so these boilers are more efficient than traditional models, which heat up the whole tank.
What are the pros and cons?
- Gas boilers are a popular heating appliance that most people are familiar with. If your home is on the gas grid, they can be installed or replaced relatively easily and our GasSafe registered engineers are able to provide support and repairs.
- Combi boilers heat water instantaneously – when you turn on the tap – which saves energy and money.
- Gas remains significantly cheaper per unit than electricity, so gas systems are usually cheaper to run than electrical heating systems.
- Methane gas is a fossil fuel, so using a gas boiler contributes to our carbon emissions. For this reason, the technology is gradually being phased out in favor of carbon-neutral options.
Electric Storage Heaters
Storage heaters are a common type of electric heating which work in conjunction with Economy 7 tariffs, where nighttime electricity is charged at a cheaper rate than daytime.
Storage heaters use this cheaper energy to ‘charge up’, then use the stored heat to warm your home during the day.
Most storage heaters are wall-mounted and contain ceramic or clay bricks which they heat up overnight. This heat is then gradually released throughout the day.
If you have storage heaters, your hot water will usually be provided by an immersion heater.
What are the pros and cons?
- Storage heaters can be used in most homes, including those off the gas grid.
- They maximise the benefits of Economy 7 tariffs by using energy at night when it’s cheapest.
- Older storage heaters can be inefficient and costly to run.
If used incorrectly, storage heaters can leave your home feeling cold and damp, so it’s important to know how to use them effectively.