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Renewable heating for your home

Switching to renewable heating can help make for a more sustainable and eco-friendly home. Learn more about the systems available.

How can I heat my house with renewable energy?

Heating your home with renewable energy is an excellent way to save money and help protect the environment.

Renewable energy is practical as it can be replenished in a relatively short period. It is based on natural powers from the sun, wind, water, and geothermal heat. These are all sources that won't run out any time soon, and are considered renewable because they can be replaced with the same or similar sources.

Unlike non-renewable sources like fossil fuels such as oil and gas, these sources will not deplete over time. Renewable energy can also reduce your heating bills and help improve your home's energy efficiency.

You can learn more about the types of renewable heating technology below.

Air source Heat pumps

Air source heat pumps extract warmth from the outside air to provide an environmentally friendly way to heat your home. Heat collected from the outside air is transferred to the inside air and can be used to heat your home.

The energy harnessed from the air is converted to provide heating for radiators, underfloor heating, warm air convectors and hot water.

As well as providing an efficient way to heat a home, air source heat pumps also offer cooling during warmer months. This means that you have the flexibility to use your system year-round without needing to invest in separate solutions for summer and wintertime weather.

Pros:

  • Low running costs
  • Environmentally Friendly
  • Low Maintenance
  • Long Lifespan

Cons:

  • Initial Installation Costs
  • Visual Impact
  • Can take up space
  • Lower heat supply compared to boilers

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground source heat pumps work by circulating a liquid refrigerant through coils within pipes that are buried beneath the surface of your property's garden or land. This liquid absorbs the heat from the ground, which is then transferred to your home using a compressor.

The heat can be used to provide hot water and heating for radiators, underfloor heating systems, warm air convectors or fan coils. By transferring this warmth from the ground and using it to heat your home, you can benefit from an efficient and environmentally friendly way of heating.

In comparison to more traditional heating systems, ground source heat pumps are a great long-term strategy. By taking advantage of the earth's natural energy reserves, businesses can drastically reduce their reliance on non-renewable fuels such as oil or gas while reaping other benefits such as increased efficiency and lower maintenance costs.

Pros:

  • Energy Efficiency
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Improved Indoor Air Quality
  • Low Maintenance

Cons:

  • High Initial Installation Costs
  • Land or Space Requirement
  • Not suited to small gardens
  • Installation Disruption

Underfloor heating

Underfloor heating is a great alternative to traditional radiators. Instead of heated air rising, like it does with radiators, the warm air is distributed evenly across the floor, creating a comfortable living space. By circulating heated water through pipes within the ground, a more uniform temperature across a room can be achieved than with traditional radiators.

In addition to being energy efficient, the setup of underfloor heating means rooms are cooler near the ceiling where heat is not usually required, but comfortably warmer underfoot where relaxation and comfort are desired. The need for placing radiators underneath poorly insulated windows also becomes irrelevant to heat.

Overall, installing an underfloor heating system brings multiple advantages in terms of comfort and energy savings while decreasing the dependency on fossil fuels for your home’s central heating.

Pros:

  • Energy Efficiency
  • Even Heat Distribution
  • Space Saving
  • Noiseless Operation

Cons:

  • Initial Installation Cost
  • Time to Heat
  • Floor Covering Restrictions
  • Limited Control

Solar heating

Solar thermal systems are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to heat your home’s water. The installation involves attaching solar panel collectors to your roof, which captures the free energy from the sun and stores it in a hot water cylinder. The heat stored in the cylinder can then be used to heat your home’s water supply.

The downside of installing this kind of equipment is that not all homes are suitable for solar thermal systems because it requires direct sunlight on the roof area or ground space throughout much of the day.

Additionally, you may also need other forms of backup heating such as immersion heaters, boilers, or heat pumps. This is in case there isn’t enough sunshine available at certain times.

Even with these drawbacks, however, solar thermal systems can offer significant savings on your overall energy bills while lowering carbon emissions at the same time.

Pros:

  • Renewable energy source
  • Energy cost savings
  • Long-term investment
  • Increased property value

Cons:

  • High initial cost
  • Impacts the visual aspect of your house
  • Not ideal if you plan on moving house

Biomass boilers

Biomass boilers are a popular choice due to their sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to heating.

By burning wood pellets, chips or logs, the boiler will emit the same amount of carbon dioxide as was absorbed while the plants were growing - making it a carbon neutral form of renewable energy. As a result, it is often considered one of the most sensible solutions when seeking a viable heating alternative.

Aside from being eco-friendly, biomass boilers also offer numerous other benefits. For instance, they require little maintenance and their cost-effectiveness makes them appealing for both residential premises and commercial businesses alike.

Pros:

  • Cost-effective heating
  • Can be integrated with existing systems
  • Lowers carbon emissions
  • Promotes energy independence

Cons:

  • Require a large amount of space for installation
  • Requires regular maintenance
  • Can be more expensive to install than traditional boilers
  • May produce emissions if not properly maintained

Get the most out of your renewable heating system

Unitherm Heating Systems offers a range of air source heat pumps, underfloor heating and radiators , all of which are designed with energy efficiency in mind. We understand the importance of renewable heating and provide our customers with the best solutions for their projects.

We also offer high quality design services to ensure your underfloor heating system, radiator system or the sizing of your heat pump meets regulations and industry standards. Our in-house bespoke design software allows us to provide a comprehensive and detailed service for all our clients.

Need assistance with your project? We'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have to help you find the right solution. Call us on 01392 979450 or email us at enquiries@Unitherm.co.uk with details of your requirements.

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