With climate change a hot topic around the world today, there are plans that governments are implementing to ensure that we are all doing what we can to reduce our carbon emissions.
The UK is taking huge steps to end the use of fossil fuels by 2025, which means heating systems in our homes will be changing in the years to come. But how will the move towards a more sustainable, eco-friendly future affect us, and the way we heat our homes?
If you’re looking for ways to be more efficient in the months and years leading up to this change, a new single panel radiator, or convector radiator can help you to heat your home more effectively, using less energy. Below, we’ll take a look into what we can expect when it comes to the future of central heating.
A ban on boilers
The UK has relied on oil and gas central heating systems as far back as the 1930s. But with the government pledging to do all they can to reduce the damage we are doing to the planet, soon these heating systems will be a distant memory.
The government are hoping to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, so to do this, we have to look at alternative ways that we can heat our homes more sustainably. In 2025, gas boilers are going to be replaced by renewable heating systems in new-build properties, so what are some of the alternatives available to us?
Hydrogen boilers
One of the alternatives that could be implemented as a way of heating our homes in a more sustainable way, is the use of hydrogen boilers. These boilers could be used to heat the home with natural gas and hydrogen.
They are very efficient and although they are currently unavailable in the UK, choosing to heat your home using one of these boilers means it’s unlikely that you’ll even be aware of the change with regards to heat output. Using hydrogen could be beneficial to households in reducing their emissions as it is non-toxic compared to other fossil fuels.
Unfortunately, the cost of hydrogen is high which could mean pricey installation. Because of hydrogen’s highly flammable nature, it is also likely that specialised safety measures would have to be put into place for a home that chooses to use this alternative.
Heat networks
This method has been successful in other countries like Denmark, so could be the solution to our problems. These networks supply heat to homes from a central source, like a power plant and distribute it via a system of pipes – it can come in the form of hot water or even steam. This alternative central heating system can help you save on bills and space, as you won’t need to install a boiler.
However, there are a couple of downfalls when it comes to this method. It has not been trialled in the UK, so it is likely that issues would need to be ironed out. As well as this, heat networks would only benefit urban areas.
Electric radiators
These radiators are a great alternative to gas heating and could become a solution more of us use in homes across the country. Electric radiators heat up using a combination of radiation and convection. They are very effective when it comes to circulating warm air around a room and can provide lasting warmth quickly when you need it most.
A couple of benefits that come alongside the use of electric radiators are that they are very low maintenance and won’t require annual checks to keep them running properly, you can also fit them yourself, which eliminates installation costs.
A couple of disadvantages that you might find with using electric radiators is that your electricity use may skyrocket, and electricity rates tend to be higher than what you’re paying for gas. Using a few at a time around the home may also mean that measures may have to be put into place to prevent your system from overloading.
How much will these changes set you back?
With the government putting plans in place to ensure that we’re all doing what we can to live more sustainably, the likelihood is that because it’s a change that we’re all going to have to make, heating equipment and installation costs should be driven down due to demand. You can even take the first steps to future-proofing your home now by improving your insulation and taking steps to prevent heat loss.