Electricity - a cleaner heating solution
Gas central heating is ingrained in the nation’s psyche and the heating industry is facing a number of challenges over which we have little control.
As well as rising energy prices, North Sea gas reserves are dwindling and we are now increasingly reliant on imported gas. This could mean varying quality and pressure to gas supplies to domestic homes. Gas boiler manufacturer’s are having to address these issues as well as delivering greater reliability, efficiency and cost savings.
Ofgem has recently reported that electricity prices have risen by 27% over the previous 4 years and gas prices have risen by over 41% in the same period.
The UK has yet to fully embrace the potential of electric heating despite it providing a clean, green and sustainable heating solution when combined with renewable energy.
The real fundamental advantages of an electric heating system are the same as they have always been and it is important not to overlook them when choosing a new heating system. The system is 100% efficient at the point of use. There is no need for annual safety checks. Peerless reliability and durability. No worries over emissions or flueing and no need of CO monitors. No periodic maintenance costs either. The Economy 7 Tariff still offers the cheapest annual costs for all fuels for room heating (independent research by Sutherland Tables).
The greatest number (2.4M) of electric heating systems installed in UK properties are storage heaters which use low-cost off-peak electricity and are more difficult to control. Most new storage heaters generally feature an automatic input control system which varies the amount of energy taken in response to prevailing weather conditions. However, even this system is not ideal for coping with the frequent changes required during sunny winter days.
Direct acting electric underfloor heating systems installed with an appropriate sub-floor insulation system such as Vysa-Pron™ MAX and a fully programmable digital thermostat such as the Vysa-Therm™3000 thermostat which can accommodate Economy 7 and Economy 10 Tariffs remains one of the most appropriate heating systems to date. Low capital cost, economical running costs, controllable and playing its part in the switch to a low carbon economy.
Decarbonisation of the electricity grid is the only way that the UK will meet its challenging 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050. Switching electricity generation away from coal and gas fired power stations and adopting renewable generation sources and nuclear facilities are government’s preference for achieving its objectives. The electrification of heating should be considered as a high priority given its significant impact on total emissions as the grid is extensively decarbonised. |
