Heating Options

The issue of alternative heating systems can be quite complicated and much depends on the nature of
the individual property. The following is intended to give a brief overview of the main heating options.
It should be noted that energy prices in general can be expected to rise significantly in the medium to
long term, and so reduction in demand through measures such as insulation and draught-proofing
remain important, regardless of the heating method.
Fuel Costs (average taken from October ’07, ’08, ’09 Sutherland Tables)
Average cost p/kWh CO2 emissions kgCO2/kWh
14 0.6

12
0.5

10
0.4

8
0.3
6

0.2
4

0.1
2

0 0
GSHP Mains gas Coal Oil ASHP Wood Electricity- LPG Electricity -
pellets off peak peak

Stenton average: Space Heating and Hot Water = 35,800kWh

Fuel Cost per year
Ground Source Heat Pump £1,280
Mains gas £1,390
Coal £1,440
Oil £1,615
Air Source Heat Pump £1,735
Wood pellets £1,935
Grid electricity – off peak £1,975
LPG £2,235
Grid electricity - peak £4,340
Ground Source Heat Pump
Heat pumps work by moving heat from one location to another, in this instance from the outside
ground to inside the home. Pipes are laid either in coils beneath the surface of the ground or in deep
boreholes through which a refrigerant is passed, absorbing heat from the surrounding ground. This is
then compressed resulting in a higher temperature which can be used to heat a central heating
system or underfloor heating. The process is powered by electricity, conventionally expensive as a
heating option, but a GSHP can provide more than three times the energy output compared to input so
can be very cost effective. However, installation costs are high in comparison to more common
heating systems (although grants support exists) and it can be disruptive to install. In addition to
the external pipework, an existing central heating system may need to be replaced since the lower
operating temperatures usually require bigger radiators or underfloor heating. GSHPs have been
retrofitted successfully in older properties but tend to be more frequently used in new builds where
standards of insulation and draughtproofing are higher and installation more straightforward.

Pros
 Low running costs
 Suitable for off-gas areas
 Works well with underfloor heating
 Grants available
 Running costs can be reduced if using off
peak or non-grid electricity
Cons
 High installation costs
 £10,000-20,000
 Installation can be disruptive
 Best suited to well insulated &
draughtproofed properties.

Mains Gas
Currently the most common form of heating in the UK, up till now mains gas has been relatively cheap
and has a lower CO2 emission factor than other fossil fuels. However as with other fossil fuels, gas
isn't sustainable in the long term, prices can be expected to rise considerably and there are
uncertainties over future supplies.

Pros Cons
 Low/moderate running costs  Future price rises
 Low CO2 emissions compared to other  Future uncertainty over supply
fossil fuels  Unsustainable in the longer term
 Not always available

Coal
Coal is still relatively cheap but the inefficiency, lack of control and manual work involved has made it
less common as a heating fuel. It also has a high carbon emission factor, is unsustainable in the
longer term, and costs can be expected to rise.

Pros Cons
 Low/moderate running costs  Future price rises
 Unsustainable in the longer term
 Less efficient heating system
 Manual operation
 High CO2 emissions
Oil
Oil has generally been the most popular heating option in off-gas areas. The installation costs of an
oil fired central heating system are moderate and oil condensing boilers are the most efficient type
on the market. Historically it has been a comparatively cheap option, although the price has been
volatile and is likely to rise considerably over the medium to long term.

Pros Cons
 Low/Moderate running costs  Volatile price
 Future price increases
 Unsustainable in the longer term
 High CO2 emissions compared to gas

Air Source Heat Pump

Air Source Heat Pumps work in a similar fashion to GSHPs but use air as the heat source, drawing it
through a fan. ASHPs aren't quite as efficient but will typically achieve around 2.5 times the energy
output compared to input, although in colder weather efficiency drops. As with GSHPs they tend to
have lower operating temperatures so work better with oversized radiators or underfloor heating,
but are becoming increasingly popular in the retrofit market. Installation requires planning
permission and the fan units do generate some noise so should be sited with care.

Pros
 Moderate running costs
 Suitable for off-gas areas
 Works well with underfloor heating
 Can work with conventional central heating
system
 Grants available
 Running costs can be reduced if using off
peak or non-grid electricity
Cons
 Moderate/high installations costs
 £6,000-10,000
 Efficiency drops as external temperature
falls
 Best suited to well insulated &
draughtproofed properties.
 Planning permission required
 Possible noise issue

Wood Pellet Boiler

Wood pellet boilers have become more popular but are currently still a small part of the market.
Whilst reliable in themselves there have been problems in the past with certainty of pellet supply
although this appears to be becoming less of an issue. The pellet store required is quite sizeable and
needs to be accessible for delivery, but otherwise the system is similar to a typical central heating
system.

Pros
 Moderate running costs
 Suitable for off-gas areas
 Compatible with existing central heating
systems
 Very low CO2 emissions
 Grants available
Cons
 High installations costs
 £10,000+
 Sizeable pellet store required
 Access for delivery required
 Previous uncertainty over supply
 Limited market
 Less responsive than oil/gas
Off-peak electricity (storage heaters, electric wet central)
Off peak electricity is most often used with storage heaters. These charge over night at a low rate
and then release heat during the day. This can suit people who are at home during the day but much
of the heat can be lost by evening so additional heating is sometimes required. An alternative is an
electric wet central system with conventional radiators heated by an electric boiler. These can
work well but require a cheap rate tariff such as Economy 10, supplying cheap rate electricity at
different periods during the day. If used with peak rate electricity the running costs begin to rise
significantly.

Pros
 Suitable for off-gas areas
 Low/moderate installation costs
Cons
 Moderate/high running costs
 Can be difficult to control
 Additional heating sometimes required
 Can restrict electricity suppliers
 High CO2 emissions due to current
generation

Liquid Petroleum Gas

LPG is generally less popular than oil in off-gas areas. On average it has been more expensive than oil
but the price has tended to be less volatile.

Pros
 Suitable for off-gas areas
 Moderate installation costs
 Compatible with existing central heating
systems
Cons
 Moderate/high running costs
 Future uncertainty over price
 Unsustainable in the longer term

On-peak electricity
Electrical heating can be delivered by a variety of means suiting different needs. These can deliver
considerable heat, very quickly and are usually easily controlled. However, on-peak electricity is very
expensive compared to all other heating methods and also has the highest associated CO2 emissions
due to the current generation on the grid.

Pros Cons
 Suitable for off-gas areas  Very high running costs
 Low installation costs  Very high CO2 emissions due to current
 Easily controlled generation