How can low carbon heating tackle the cost of living crisis?

Millions of home owners across the UK are struggling with the cost of living, particularly when it comes to energy bills. With costs on the rise looking for solutions is more important than ever. One key place to find savings is within low carbon technologies, such as home heating systems.

By replacing the dependence on fossil fuelled heating, not only can homeowners reduce their annual bills, but they can also increase efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. With nearly half of all fossil fuel that is consumed in the UK yearly, being used to heat homes, it’s a key area of concern.

1. Electric Boilers
Switching to an electric boiler can offer several benefits. First of all, they are highly efficient, with up to 100% of the energy used to run the boiler used being converted into heat. This can result in lower energy bills for homeowners, as they are not wasting energy.

The are also more beneficial for the environment, as they do not emit any harmful gases or pollutants like their fossil-fuelled counterparts. They are also considered the safest of boiler types for this reason, because they do not produce any fumes or carbon monoxide.

With less likelihood of breaking down and a more efficiently running system, electric boilers also cost far less overall.

2. Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are an energy-efficient alternative to traditional heating systems that can save people money in several ways.

Firstly, they can significantly lower energy bills. As heat pumps convert natural energy sources (such as air, water or ground heat) into heat for the home, the cost for fuel is significantly lowered. Users only need to pay for the electricity used to run the unit.

Heat pumps can provide up to three times more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume. This can result in lower energy bills, and as the unit may be combined with a renewable energy source (such as solar or wind energy), running a heat pump can cost very little.

There are also many incentives from Governments in many countries, to encourage home owners to switch to a heat pump. This means there are savings to be made on the initial installation, making it a more affordable option.

3. Solar Panels (in combination with a boiler or heat pump)
Another great, low carbon heating system is to install solar panels. Solar panels generate electricity from the sun’s energy, then use this to provide power to the home. These can be added to most heating systems (with the correct parts), to power them on complete renewable energy.

Duet to the energy being created from a renewable source, running a heating system with solar panels can drastically reduce energy bills. They eliminate the need to rely on the national grid and many homeowners can even sell back excess electricity that they produce.

There are also some Government incentives to help homeowners install solar panels, which can make the initial costs much lower.

4. Wind Turbine
Wind turbines generate electricity from the wind, which can be used to power a home's electrical needs. By generating their own electricity, homeowners can reduce their reliance on the grid, resulting in lower energy bills. In some cases, homeowners can even earn money by selling excess electricity back to the grid.

Another benefit is reduced maintenance costs. Wind turbines have few moving parts and can operate for many years with minimal maintenance. This can result in lower maintenance costs over time, particularly if the wind turbine is properly maintained and serviced on a regular basis.

There are further ways to save money, through government incentives. Many governments want to encourage the adoption of wind energy, so they offer incentives such as tax credits, rebates, and grants. By taking advantage of these schemes, homeowners can reduce the upfront cost of installing a wind turbine, making it a more affordable option.

By considering a low carbon heating system, homeowners can reduce one of the largest spending areas in the household. Heating radiators and hot water is a significant bill for most homes, but with any of these low carbon options, these bills can be reduced. Each system will also greatly reduce each home's carbon emissions and benefit the environment.

In summary, wind turbines, heat pumps, solar panels and electric boilers can save people money. They can do this by reducing energy bills, lowering maintenance costs, and taking advantage of government incentives. By investing in any of these technologies, homeowners can enjoy a more sustainable and cost-effective energy source for their home.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!