Heating Technology Information

Introduction

In most buildings, heating and hot water account for the largest annual consumption of delivered energy and hence CO2 emissions from heating systems are often high. For each unit of delivered energy, the most common fuels used for heating, such as gas and oil, produce lower emissions to the atmosphere than electricity. Attention to fabric detail at the sketch design stage to minimise the requirement for space heating is particularly important in reducing energy consumption. Efforts should also be made to minimise hot water demand by incorporating low-flow alternatives such as showers and spray taps.

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Key Points

Energy efficient heating should:

• Incorporate the most efficient primary plant to generate heat/hot water
• Ensure that heat/hot water is distributed effectively and efficiently
• Include effective controls on primary plant and distribution systems to ensure that heat/hot water is only provided when and where it is needed and at the correct temperature
• Be responsive to changes in climate, solar gains, occupancy, activity, and internal gains.

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Typical UK System

• The mix of primary plant can have a major influence on overall system efficiency
• The characteristics of distribution circuits for space heating systems can have a significant effect on thermal performance and energy consumption.
• Good control of primary heating/hot water plant and distribution systems is a vital part in achieving low energy consumption. The key requirement is to provide heat/hot water only when and where it is needed, and at the right temperature, whilst minimising boiler cycling.
• In most buildings, heating and hot water accounts for the largest annual consumption of delivered energy.

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Requirements

Requirements for heating systems will be added here soon.

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Costs

• Below are typical savings which can be achieved by replacing an old boiler with a new A-rated condensing model and installing a full set of heating controls:

  Old Boiler Rating	Annual Saving (£/yr)
  G ( < 70%)	£235
  F (70% - 74%)	£150
  E (74% - 78%)	£110
  D (78% - 82%)	£70

• Insulation material for a standard 15mm pipe costs around £1.50 per metre and will reduce heat loss. Hot water tank insulation jackets cost around £12 and could save you around £35 a year.
• Getting your boiler serviced will cost between £50 and £75.

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FIT/Grants

The UK Government funds schemes providing up to £3,500 to households on certain benefits (see below for examples of eligibility criteria) to improve their heating and energy efficiency. In England the scheme is known as Warm Front, in Northern Ireland it is Warm Homes, in Scotland it is the Energy Assistance Package and in Wales it is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. The following eligibility criteria apply:

• You have to be the owner of the home or rent it from a private landlord.
• You are 60 years or older and are in receipt of one or more benefits. Benefits include: income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit, job seekers allowance and pension credit.
• You have a child under 16 or you are pregnant and have been given maternity MAT B1 and are also in receipt of benefits such as income support, council tax benefit etc.
• You are in receipt of one or more benefits such as disability living allowance, child tax credit with an income of less than £16,040, housing benefit and disability premium etc.

Under the recently introduced Government Boiler Scrappage Scheme you can apply for a voucher to replace your working "G-rated" boiler, which will entitle you to £400 off the price of a new, modern "A-rated" boiler or a renewable heating system like a biomass boiler or a heat pump. This could help to potentially cut your household's energy bill by between £200 to £235 a year. Click here to find out more.

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Planning Guidance

The UK planning systems plays an important role in helping protect the environment in our towns, cites and our countryside. Any building work or installation requires approval via a planning authority. The installation of any proposed new heating system at your property will therefore require planning permission. Due to the fact that planning in the UK is a devolved responsibility, ease of the planning process depends entirely on your Local Planning Authority (LPA).

If you get a no obligation quote through the S&G Get a Quote function the local installers contacted will be able to advise you further. Alternatively you can check with your local planning authority (LPA) for details. The contact details of your LPA can be found by going here and entering your postcode.

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Further Information

• If you have any outstanding questions once you have looked at all the information pages relating to this technology, please write to us on info@saveandgenerate.com and we will aim to get back to you with an answer ASAP.
• You can also use the above email address to get in touch with our independent energy experts who will be more than happy to provide you with tailored project consultancy support if required. Click here to find out more about Save & Generate's Independent Energy Assessment services, or visit the S&G Energy Consultancy web site for more details on our consultancy services.
• Our latest independent energy expert blogs on energy efficiency provide further critical insights into developments within the industry and topics of current debate, including latest Government policy developments. Click here to read more.

Next steps to Save & Generate

• Use the above tabs to find out further information on this and other technologies.
• Use the feasibility function to instantly see how well suited your location is to these technologies
• Use the S&G Get a Quote function to receive FREE, no obligation quotes from the accredited and user rated installers working in your area.
• Once you are happy that you have reduced your energy consumption as far as feasible, why not have a browse of our microgeneration technologies to find out how you can generate your own energy and make money in the process?

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