The United Kingdom has always favoured gas boilers and heating, evident in the fact that just over 80% of UK homes are heated with natural gas – a much higher number than many other countries.
Why is this? Because of the convenience and low cost energy provided through the development of North Sea gas reserves. Gas boilers are so common that when we move into a British home, the property is more than likely to have a gas boiler rather than a more sustainable, energy efficient alternative.
A mindset shift.
But, thankfully, people are no longer simply accepting the way things are, especially in light of the stark IPCC Special Report of Global Warming that was published earlier this month. The past year of pandemic has also heightened peoples awareness of our finite natural resources and the impact of less carbon emissions on the planet. Instead the British population is beginning to make more and more conscious decisions that are kinder to our planet.
Reaching the 2050 Net Zero goal.
However, the UK government’s Future Homes Standard will bring a ban to gas boilers in new homes from 2025. Heating our homes with natural gas and oil produces carbon dioxide when burned and we need to stop doing this if we want to reach the 2050 Net Zero goal.
The Energy Saving Trust says that each household will need to cut heating emissions by 95% if we want to reach the 2050 Net Zero targets.Thankfully there are some great greener alternatives to gas boilers that are becoming more and more popular throughout the UK, all of which the Sean Brown team are skilled to install and maintain in your home or commercial property.
Heat pumps.
A heat pump takes low temperature heat from the environment and pumps it up to a higher temperature, which can then be used for heating your home. We have been installing more and more heat pumps over the last year or so and the three most popular types are as follows:
- Air source heat pumps collect heat from the air outside using a fan. The fan converts air into heat for radiators, hot water, underfloor, or warm air heating.
- Ground source heat pumps use underground pipes to absorb heat from the ground itself.
- Hybrid heating systems combine your gas boiler with a heat pump, meaning you can make the switch to heat pumps without having to replace your boiler. A recent government report shows that a hybrid air source heat pump can reduce your boiler usage by up to 80%.
Who can get a heat pump?
Anyone who can answer yes to the below:
- You heat your home using gas central heating or oil
- You own your home and have some outdoor space
- You have a home internet connection
- You have a working and serviceable existing heating system
- You have loft insulation that’s a depth of at least 150mm
Ready to help make our planet a better place?
At Sean Brown Plumbing & Heating, we see it as our responsibility to provide people within our communities with sustainable alternatives to heating systems that are damaging to our planet. Our skilled team have been extremely well trained in installing and maintaining heat pumps so that we can help make our contribution towards making our planet a better place for the future.
Contact us today to enquire about a heat pump installation.
