Five renewable reasons to choose electric
As the months begin to get colder, the conversation about emissions and how energy is consumed begins to ramp up again. The urgency to transition to efficient and clean solutions of heating is key to these conversations.
Gas boilers are still heating 85% of the UK’s homes and the news of new oil and gas licenses being awarded and Net Zero polices being altered signified further that renewable adoption needs to increase.
88% of the public support renewable energy and in the past 12 months, 47% of Britons purchased low carbon technology. Using the autumn months to transition in preparation for the winter ones can avoid instances of being caught short by unexpected gas boiler services or leaky radiators.
Alternative methods of heating such as electric, have emerged as serious contenders to push ahead in the transition away from fossil fuels. Electric heating provides 100% efficiency and emits zero emissions when used with renewable energy.
Power To Solar
Despite the myths, solar panels work all year round. Their output spikes heavily during summer because of the long daylight hours and increased sunlight.
Output from solar energy increases by 50% compared to the winter months. Combining solar panels with a battery will then allow you to store this energy to use in the evenings and when the sun isn’t shining.
During June 2023, Solar power was generating around 27 per cent of the UK’s power needs each lunchtime over the course of the weeks. According to EcoExperts, a typical three bed house with solar panels could save up to 62% on their electricity bills.
If you live in London, you could save potentially around £505 a year, as well as 750kg of CO2 emissions.
Incorporating a solar set up with electric heating or air source heat pumps can further decrease carbon emissions from the home and promote energy efficiency.
Room by Room Control
Switching to electric puts the user firmly in control of their heat consumption. During the summer months, there is no reason to heat an entire house but occasionally the room you are in could require a top up of heat.
Individual room thermostats allow the user to tailor specific rooms to desired levels of comfort. Possessing greater control doesn’t just mean additional convenience. It also means a reduction in carbon emissions and the potential to also reduce energy use.
With electric heating, short bursts of active energy consumption are all that’s required to maintain comfortable temperatures even when the radiator is not drawing energy.
Hybrid Heat Pumps
Heat Pumps are one of the ‘key technologies’ for decarbonisation efforts, according to a report by the International Energy Agency.
Taking heat from the air and elevating it to a higher temperature using a compressor. It then transfers the heat to the heating system in your home. The government have provided grants via the ‘Boiler Upgrade Scheme’ which provides customers £7,500 off the price of installation to aid in the switch.
Air source heat pumps are compatible with solar energy sources and with existing gas boilers.
The technology is ever evolving and adaptation for widespread use is already taking place. Ranging from increased sizing to some models allowing autonomy between the hot water side of the system and the heating side. Making it possible to switch off the external heat pump unit in summer, reducing noise pollution.
Net Zero
The government has set a target to be net zero by 2050. Bound by law, this means greenhouse gas emissions need to be rapidly reduced.
40% of UK emissions come from domestic households. By switching a home’s energy source to electric, zero emissions are being released into the atmosphere and the collective carbon foot print is reduced. Fischer offers a free heating survey, so the correct form of electric heating can be installed in the household.
Conduct A Test, Make The Switch
This autumn makes for a good opportunity to test any existing older appliances and explore the possibilities for upgrades to cleaner energy. Waiting until the winter months to service a boiler, which could require replacing could potentially leave periods with no heating at all.
Electric methods of heating, such as electric boilers, don’t require any annual services, unlike their gas counterparts. With the UK’s Official Climate Advisors having recommended that all gas boilers should be banned by 2033, switching across to electric is a good head start.
Keith Bastian is chief executive officer of Fischer Future Heat
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