As of 2025, gas boilers will no longer be installed in new homes. Instead, Britains homes will be heated by low-carbon alternatives, as part of the UK’s plan to reach carbon net zero by 2050. The change might not be made mandatory at your home for many years to come, but the time for change is now!
Below are four amazing alternatives to gas boilers that are better for the environment and will make your energy bills and carbon footprint smaller in the long run.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are an amazing source of renewable energy. They work using a small amount of electricity to absorb natural heat from a cold space, releasing it into a warmer one. An extremely efficient heating choice, heat pumps are capable of producing up to four times more heat than conventional electric heaters using the same amount of electricity.
Although the start-up cost is high, when you consider Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments and energy bill savings, it makes a lot of sense to install a heat pump over a gas boiler, especially considering they are a clean and sustainable power source.
Infrared Heating Panels
Unlike a conventional heating system that warms the air, infrared heating panels work by emitting infrared energy which is absorbed into solid objects. The absorbed energy causes the molecules to vibrate, warming an object, person or room. Infrared heating panels have proven to be an extremely effective method of heating, with some saying they are a better choice than convection heating systems.
Solar Panels
When used in conjunction with an electric boiler, solar panels are an excellent renewable choice to consider to heat your home. Solar PV captures energy from the sun and transfers it to your hot water and heating system. All of the items in your home that are powered by electricity can be supplied by solar panels. As with all renewable technologies, there is a higher cost to pay upfront, but the returns are significant, especially considering the discounts you will get on your energy bills. If you’re interested in treating your home to this clever system, look for a local solar PV installer.
Biomass boilers/stoves
Both of these gas boiler alternatives involve burning logs, wood chips and pellets to create energy. Some systems also include burning animal, food and industrial waste. Biomass stoves are used to heat a single room, while a boiler is a more direct alternative to a gas boiler. This process is sustainable, as the CO2 emitted when the wood is burned is the same as the plant absorbed over the time that it was growing.
The only downside of this option is that they need cleaning regularly. Those who choose to have a wood burning stove or boiler will need to have their chimney swept every year. They also take up more room than a standard boiler, so a buyer will need to have room for the boiler and the fuel it takes.
As you can see, there are lots of heating alternatives to a gas boiler on the market. There is no time like the present to get ahead of the curve and have a renewable heating measure installed in your home!
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