Are you looking to go green with your home heating? Choose between these five systems that are more sustainable than a traditional gas boiler and should reduce your energy bills.
- Condensing boilers
Traditional boilers can lose a significant amount of heat through the flue which means some energy is wasted every time you turn it on. Condensing boilers were designed to be more energy-efficient, capturing the escaping water vapour so less heat is lost. This water vapour is recycled back through the system into the domestic hot water supply or radiators.
As they are well-established, you’ll find it easy to get boiler spares for condensing boilers, giving you peace of mind of a quick fix if it should break down.
- Electric boilers
With gas prices staying high this winter, many of us are looking for alternative ways to heat our homes. Enter electric boilers. With over 40% of the UK’s electricity now produced through sustainable sources and 100% as the 2050 target, this is an ever-greener gas alternative.
All the leading brands like Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Ideal and Glow-worm offer electric models so you can stick with the brand you know and trust for your upgrade.
- Biomass boilers
Considered carbon neutral as the plants used to fuel it absorb carbon when they grow, biomass boilers are a popular choice for eco-friendly home heating. However, they’re not suitable for every property.
The main issue is space. The boilers themselves are relatively large and therefore unsuitable for small properties. You also need an area to store the fuel such as a garage or shed where the inside is protected from the elements, and be a reasonable distance from your neighbours. However, for remote properties with no mains gas supply, a biomass boiler is an affordable and eco-friendly form of heating.
- Solar-powered
It’s a common misconception that you need bright sunlight for solar-powered heating systems: daylight is sufficient to provide electricity for most properties. Even residents of cloudy countries like the UK will find this an effective method of lighting and heating their property, at least for most of the year.
The UK government is invested in homeowners making sustainable upgrades and is running a scheme called the Green Deal to help residents cover the cost of solar panel installation. Easy to install and maintain, this is an ideal green heating system if you get a reasonable amount of sunshine throughout the year.
- Heat pumps
The latest development in sustainable heating is the invention of heat pumps. These extract heat from the air or the ground and transfer it inside through insulated pipes.
Given that the technology is still new, these pumps are fairly expensive, but they’re well worth the investment as they guarantee long-term sustainability. Currently, there’s a shortage of engineers trained to install them so you might have to wait for a while to make the upgrade.
Dr. Alexander Tabibi is an entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for sustainable innovation with a deep commitment to leveraging technology for environmental and social good. As a thought leader at the intersection of business and sustainability, Dr. Tabibi brings a strategic vision to Green.org, helping guide its mission to inspire global climate awareness and actionable change.
With a background in both medicine and business, Dr. Tabibi combines analytical rigor with entrepreneurial insight.
