How to reduce your environmental impact at home
Heating our homes account for a considerable amount of our total energy consumption, although it is mostly counterproductive to the fight against climate change. This is why the government and climate experts are putting more emphasis on encouraging homes to convert to low-carbon heating systems wherever possible.
What is low-carbon heating?
Home heating in the UK is typically provided by fossil-fuelled gas and oil boilers; low-carbon heating, on the other hand, does not rely on fossil fuels and instead relies on renewable technologies.
Air and ground source heat pumps, solar water heating, biomass, and other technologies are among them. We can minimise the carbon emissions produced by each household by replacing current boilers with systems that use these natural, renewable heat sources.
How much of an impact does heating have on UK carbon emissions?
Many home heating systems and boilers still rely on gas and oil, which are two of the fuels that emit the most carbon emissions. Home heating accounts for around 14% of UK carbon emissions and must be addressed quickly if the government reach its net-zero target. We must begin to deploy green heating systems and solutions across the country in order to reduce and eventually eliminate emissions completely.
What are the best low-carbon heating solutions?
Air Source Heat Pumps are a popular low-carbon heating solution in the UK and around the world. They work by taking the cold air from the outside and then turning this into heat using electricity which is then used to heat radiators or underfloor heating and hot water.
Ground Source Heat Pumps are another low-carbon heating solution. They harness natural heat from underground by pumping water through it in pipes. The heat pump then increases the temperature, and the heat is used to provide home heating or hot water. Ground Source Heat Pumps are more expensive than Air Source and require a fairly big garden which may need to be dug up for the installation as opposed to an Air Source Heat Pump which will suit most homes in the UK and is much more affordable.
Is there any Government funding for low-carbon heating solutions?
Now you apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). The BUS is a government grant which offers customers £7,500 upfront towards the cost of an Air Source Heat Pump.
