If your home isn’t connected to the main gas grid, what then? What options do you have for warming your home this coming winter? Before you roll your sleeves up to chop down trees (which by the way, would be terrible for the environment), consider these alternative sources of fuel:
1. Oil Central Heating
What is it?
Similar to a gas boiler, an oil fired boiler heats water which then travels through your pipes or underfloor heating to heat your radiators and supply your hot water taps.
How can I get it?
Your boiler can be a heat only or combi boiler but the oil would need to be delivered to your home by road and stored in a tank external to your property. (You would need to rent or buy the tank from your fuel supplier).
Pros and Cons
The upside is that oil is one of the most efficient oil types, so you do get a good return on each unit of energy. But oil fired boilers would need to heat hot water and store it to be used later – which may be counter – intuitive to your efficiency aims. Also, oil produces CO2 when burned, which means it isn’t a clean source of energy.
2. Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Central Heating
What is it?
Similar to oil central heating, LPG is a useful alternative source of fuel for up to 4 million homes in the UK that are not connected to the national gas grid.
How can I get it?
LPG is delivered by road and stored in a tank external to your property and use a ‘wet’ system – where water is heated, which then heats your home via pipes.
Pros and Cons
As LPG is delivered by road, there is a possibility of running out before your next delivery. Although you can circumvent this by installing a system that automatically notifies your supplier when you are about to run out. Again, similar to oil, LPG is not a clean source of energy.
3. Electric Central Heating
What is it?
Immersion heaters allow you to heat your home using electricity, without the need for an additional source of fuel, like gas, oil etc. They work a bit like a kettle, with a metal coil that heats up the hot water (usually in a cylinder or tank).
How can I get it?
Speak to your energy supplier to let them know that you have got an electric boiler as the main source of heating for your home.
Pros and Cons
They can be easily be switched on and off to save money, and typically will come with thermostats and timers that allow them to self regulate. It is advised that your immersion heater is properly insulated, so that the water stays hot for much longer. Electric heating systems can be very expensive though, costing up to £900 for the average household on Economy 7 compared with £550 for a household using a gas boiler. (Economy 7 is a differential tariff offered by most energy supply companies that help households cheaper rates for the hours of 12 – 7am during the night)
4. Solar Powered Central Heating
What is it?
Renewable heating systems can save you considerable amounts on your energy bill for the year, because essentially you’re “self-generating” energy. You’re your own energy supplier and less dependent on energy sources with prices that fluctuate according to supply and demand forces.
How can I get it?
You can choose from solar panels, wood burning stoves, heat pumps and wind turbines to generate energy for your home. Typically these will need to connect with a system boiler to supply heat and hot water through a ‘wet’ system, but they are still considerably cheaper than other sources of fuel.
Pros and Cons
Solar powered central heating systems are considerably expensive. However, the government’s RHI (Renewable Heating Incentive) scheme helps ease the significant start up costs involved. Eventually, they pay for themselves, and your heating would not only be free, but could actually end up putting some money back into your pocket.
As always, speaking to a trusted heating engineer or boiler installation expert is always advisable. They will be able to answer your questions, understand the needs of your household and make the best recommendations.
