subject: Options for heating your home cost effectively [print this page] Options for heating your home cost effectively
In recent times we have seen a large increase in the prices of both gas and electric which is why is it is more important than ever to heat our homes in the most efficient and economical way. Using less energy is the best way to cut your bills which also means saving the environment.
Gas central heating systems are probably the most popular and widely used systems in the UK. The pros for having a gas central heating system is that gas is a highly efficient fuel which means you get a good return on every unit of energy. The Gas is piped into your home which means there is no need for storage tanks. Replacing and old boiler system with new efficient boilers is relatively straightforward. Anyone doing Gas works on your property should be a part of the gas registration scheme, which was previously run by Corgi. The new scheme is called the Gas Safe Register. The cons of have gas central heating is that gas prices are on the rise and seem likely to stay raising. The UK is no longer self-sufficient in gas and has to compete with the growing demand from other countries. Also there is yearly maintenance needed to keep boilers working safely and efficiently.
Homes that aren't connected to the gas network will be using liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or heating oil, which works in a similar way, although you have to store the LPG and oil in a tank in your garden or somewhere.
Electric central heating systems use storage heaters and use electricity supplied at the cheap night time rate. They tend to give off heat slowly and are designed to keep warm all the next day. Electric radiators are another option but these run of a standard single rate electricity tariff which makes them expensive to run in the day. The pros for electric to heat your home are they the installation is much cheaper than gas or oil, they require much less maintenance and unlike gas electricity is available almost everywhere in the UK.
If you live in an older property insulating your roof and cavity walls will save you nearly 300 a year. And having a modern energy efficient boiler installed will save you another 200. The government is encouraging us all to be more energy efficient and there are grants to help with new boiler installations, roof insulation and the like. Renewable energy is all the rage and next year the government's RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) will be coming into effect. It will promote the use of renewable energy technologies with financial rewards for us as consumers. For example if you were to have an air source heat pump fitted in your home you could get paid up to 18p p/KWh for the hot water and heat you generate and use yourself. As well as making and saving you money it will also reduce your CO2 emissions by up to 50%.
Whatever choice you chose to heat you home with think of the long term... Fuel, be it gas, electric or oil will only go up in price. The way forward seems to be renewable and environmentally friendly fuel.
