Alternatives to Gas Boilers & Central Heating

Are you wondering what alternatives to gas boilers are currently available?

Traditional heating methods like gas boilers currently account for one-third of UK carbon emissions and as a result, are at the heart of the government's low carbon agenda and change is inevitable. Either we change our heating methods, or the planet changes so much, heating will be the least of our problems. 

Low-carbon heating methods are an essential ingredient to achieving the targets; this includes technologies such as hydrogen gas boilers, heat pumps, solar and biomass.

So what is the future of domestic heating going to be? How can you prepare? And most importantly, what funding is available to help you make the transition?

The UK Government has not yet made any concrete decisions about which pathways it prefers, quite on PAR with many other important topics. 

New low-carbon heating is currently the focus of intense review by the Commission on Climate Change (CCC), the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy (CGS) and the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC). You might even say that the topic is seeing some heated debates.

As a result, this post will be updated as new findings/recommendations are released.

PS. We fit hybrid heat pumps with installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and you could get it installed as quick as tomorrow.

Why are Gas Boilers still the best financial decision? 

The reality is that a range of low-carbon heating options will eventually replace domestic gas boilers, including both heat pumps and hydrogen boilers. 

Heat pumps are currently being heavily promoted as they are currently the only available low-carbon option available for the domestic market. When looking to replace their systems, most people prefer an available option. 

However, the reality is that there are several barriers to their widespread adoption, including their expense, performance issues and availability of trained installers. In time, it is hoped that as demand increases, prices will decrease. 

Combining a high-efficiency boiler with smart controls, proper water treatment (power flushing) etc, a new condensing gas boiler can achieve 96% efficiency. Perhaps here, the government can take notes, too. 

In terms of running costs, currently gas is 1/4 the cost of electricity (per kW), which means heat pumps have an extremely high running economy, for example, electricity costs 3-16p per kWh compared to gas’ 3-4 per kWh.

Heat pumps need to be over 400% efficient to be in the same place as a gas boiler in terms of day-to-day operation.

Even worse, if a heat pump is installed in a home with poor thermal efficiency, the running costs can be extremely high, especially in comparison to the gas.

Installation costs for a gas boiler are also far cheaper, with the average cost being around £2600 compared to a heat pump cost of £15,000. Unless you’re an average Premier League player, that’s a big difference.

Pound for pound, right now, gas boilers are untouchable for efficiency gains to combat energy price rises.

For a more in-depth comparison, feel free to read our guide to gas boilers vs heat pumps. 

Learn all about hybrid heat pumps/boilers in our video tutorial below: 

Alternatives to Gas Boilers 

So what alternatives to gas boilers are currently available? How much do they cost? And are they viable for every house in the UK?

Low-carbon heating options

As the name implies, a low-carbon heating system is just that, a type of heating that releases low levels of carbon into the atmosphere.

This is in contrast to high-carbon heating systems such as gas boilers and oil boilers, which burn these high-carbon fossil fuels to produce heat and unfortunately a considerable amount of carbon as a by-product.

For example, if you use a gas boiler, you emit approximately 205 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour. It’s a considerable downside of heating your house with dinosaur farts.

Instead of combusting fossil fuels, low-carbon heating options utilise renewable fuel types that are naturally replenished.

These alternatives to gas boilers include the following:

• Air source heat pumps.

• Ground source heat pumps.

• Hybrid heat pumps.

• Hydrogen boilers.

• Solar thermal panels.

• Biomass boilers.

At present, the sale of gas boilers is higher than ever, with 85% of UK homes relying on natural gas and only 5% using low-carbon alternatives. We imagine that also means 10% of people are still building fires in the middle of their living rooms as a means to boil water and stay warm. 

There’s certainly a lot of progress to be made, yet there is still considerable hesitancy about which option is most practical and which can be rolled out at a reasonable pace.

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The UK Government’s yet to make any firm decision, but the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) have been tasked with analysis of all options and making recommendations to the government on how they can reach the goal of net zero.

Why should you adopt low-carbon heating?

Traditional forms of heating utilise fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal and various forms of oil. When burned, these fuels produce a good amount of heat which has been used to heat our homes, power our transport and drive our economy.

Watch Our Air Source Heat Pump UK Case Study in the video below: 

Yet, the major issue is that these fossil fuels are high-carbon fuels and finite, meaning they release carbon into the atmosphere and will eventually run out. Switching too late means you’re without heat for a considerable time. 

Carbon emissions are responsible for global warming, which is posing a long-term threat to the world in a multitude of different ways.

As a result, we have now reached a “climate crisis” and governments have teamed together to tackle the problem.

Net-Zero Goals

In 2016, the world’s largest economies gathered in Paris at the Accord on Climate Change and agreed to keep global temperature increases below 2°C.

In response, the Commission on Climate Change (CCC) recognised that in order to meet this agreement the UK Government would need to aim for net-zero status by 2050. In 2019, this target was written into law.

Having net-zero emissions basically means achieving a state of balance by removing any human-caused greenhouse gases from the atmosphere through a process called carbon removal.

Home Heating is a Key Target

A key part of achieving this is to get emissions to as close to zero as possible. This is why the UK Government is currently exploring various different ways to reduce emissions and implement them via various regulations.

As a result, traditional heating methods, which currently account for one-third of UK carbon emissions, are at the heart of the government's low-carbon agenda and change is inevitable.

So, ultimately, it’s not just a question of why we should do it, but new laws are likely to obligate everyone to adopt low-carbon heating in one form or another. And yes, a blanket is also low-carbon, but only gets you so far. 

This won’t happen overnight, but it’s certainly something that’s going to gather pace.

It’s clear that adopting low-carbon heating is in our future, but as well as helping the environment, there are many other tangible benefits, including:

• Reducing reliance on energy companies and the power grid.

• Reducing energy costs to heat your home.

• Receiving Government grants, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).

Alternatives to Gas Boilers 

Heat Pumps

The Committee on Climate Change has said that 19 million heat pumps will need to be installed to meet the commitment to reach net zero by 2050. So they are going to play a big part in the decarbonisation of heating in the UK.

There are three main types of heat pumps: air source, ground source and hybrid. They work by absorbing heat from the air, ground or water and can provide both central heating and hot water, while hybrid heat pumps can use a boiler to provide additional heat when the weather is exceptionally cold.

Heat pumps do require small amounts of electricity to operate and combined with the fact that they take the heat from the environment, they are incredibly efficient.

They can achieve energy efficiency ratings exceeding 300%, compared to modern gas boilers which are around 94%. You may have thought 94% efficiency sounds impressive, but you were wrong.  

Unfortunately, heat pumps cannot provide the same, consistent heat output as gas boilers, so are unsuitable for many applications.

For example, they are typically installed together with an under-floor heating system and in modern energy-efficient properties that are very well insulated.

Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)

All heat pumps use the concept of vapour compression to extract heat from the external environment and Air Source Heat Pumps extract the heat from the outside air.

There are two major types: air-to-water and air-to-air systems.

Air-to-water heats water to be circulated around a wet central heating system e.g. underfloor heating. While air-to-air systems, heat the property with fans that can also provide cooling–like air conditioning, ideal for the warmer months of the year. In a way, this means air-source heat pumps are your water benders whereas ground-source heat pumps are earth benders. 

Air Source Heat Pumps are seen as the most likely candidate for most homes in the UK since their installation is less laborious and they do not require as much space to house. They do require air, which is usually available. 

In terms of installation, they require a free external wall to house the unit, where the absorbed heat is fed into the property with a fan.

Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)

Ground Source Heat Pumps are unique in that they extract heat from Earth and since the ground has an ambient temperature it provides a consistent level of heat.

This is an advantage over ASHP, which can be less reliable due to fluctuating air temperatures. Weather reports underground tend to be rather boring.

HSHP require a considerable amount of space to be installed, which is incredibly disruptive, labour-intensive and expensive, much like putting a two-year-old to bed. 

The ground surrounding the property must be trenched and a network of pipes containing refrigerant laid, this liquid then absorbs the heat which remains at a constant temperature of between 10°C and 15°C.

Once heated, the refrigerant travels to a heat exchanger within the property where it’s used to generate heating water and hot water on demand.

Related domestic energy guides: 

• When will gas boilers be banned? 

• How much energy do appliances use? 

• Who qualifies for a boiler grant? 

• Boilers on finance. 

• Best combi boilers in the UK. 

• Open vented boilers. 

Hybrid Heat Pumps (HHP)

Seen as a more realistic solution and one which is more practical in a seasonal climate like the UK’s are Hybrid Heat Pumps.

Essentially, this is a combination of a small heat pump that provides heat 85% of the time, but for particular cold periods switches to a gas boiler. It’s the heat pump equivalent of a wool jumper. 

Full electrification heat pump systems are the priority, especially for homes that remain off-grid as it would be far too expensive to build the infrastructure, nor would it align with the renewable agenda.

Yet, in modern homes and those that are adequately insulated, regular heat pumps should not require hybrid systems.

Solar Thermal Heating Panels

Solar thermal panels use the sun's radiation to heat water to supply your central heating system and water outlets e.g. taps and showers. This is not the same as hoping the sun will warm your pond. 

They differ from solar PV, which uses the sun’s rays to generate electricity, but PV solar can also be used to provide heating e.g. by powering an immersion heater.

By harnessing the free power of the sun you are able to supplement your current heating system and reduce your carbon footprint and energy bills.

Solar panels can offer heating during daylight hours but are not going to be a reliable source if you are not home until the evening. Apparently, you’ll need to pick between having a job or utilising your solar panels. Currently, solar electric storage is expensive and so not feasible for most households.

Regardless, solar will rarely provide enough energy to supply a consistent and reliable source of hot water and so is currently only used to supplement a primary heat source.

Biomass Boilers

A biomass boiler, similar to gas and oil, produces heat through the combustion i.e. burning of fuels including wood chips, logs and pellets. If that sounds like going back to the cavemen's days of heating, that’s technically true (but a lot more efficient these days). 

They also have the advantage of generating heat that is consistent and provides high output, for a reliable supply of heating and hot water throughout the year.

However, since wood and biological matter can be replenished e.g. trees can be regrown it is considered a renewable form of heating and a carbon-neutral practice.

For instance, the carbon dioxide released through burning is recaptured by a new tree, which takes a few million years less than fossil fuels to be replenished. If fossil fuels are terribly old, you can see the burning of trees as infancy fuels. 

In addition, millions of tonnes of wood waste are sent to landfills every year, so not only does utilising wood as a fuel help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels but also alleviates some pressure on our landfills.

Like heat pumps, the upfront costs for biomass boilers can be expensive since they are much larger and require a significant amount of room in the house, as well as pellet storage.

Hydrogen Heating – A More Plausible Solution?

There remain several barriers to the adoption of low-carbon heat and a recent report by the EAC found that it will take over 700 years for the UK to make the transition at its current speed. With the rate the planet is heating up, too, we’ll be living underground by then anyway. 

Additionally, the Committee on Climate Change has estimated that it would cost an average of £26,000 to switch each UK home to a low-carbon heating system.

One potential solution to these barriers is hydrogen fuel, which takes advantage of the current gas infrastructure, which is connected to 8 in 10 homes.

Therefore, many industry commentators assert that it’s much more practical to change the fuel instead of the heating system in every home. 

When hydrogen is burned it produces only vapour and no carbon dioxide, so the feasibility of delivering it into homes via the gas network is currently under review by the EAC and CCC.

Advantages of Hydrogen Heating  

Market-leading boiler manufacturers Baxi Heating and Worcester Bosch have been developing their hydrogen-ready boilers and continue to update the industry on their progress.

This new technology is able to utilise both natural gas and hydrogen, making them the ideal transition appliance as they can be used before and after the new fuel is supplied.

So why does hydrogen receive so much positive attention?

Emissions contain zero carbon

Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas are all high-carbon fuels that emit carbon dioxide when burned.

This is a leading cause of global warming. Hydrogen on the other hand, only produces water, with no carbon dioxide. Everyone likes water, so this one’s a plus. 

Existing Gas infrastructure can be used

One of the biggest benefits of hydrogen is that it only means changing to fuel supply, so it is much easier and quicker to roll out nationwide.

It also avoids the costs and learning curve of households adopting completely new heating systems. You could even imagine you’re burning gas if you prefer. 

Challenges of Hydrogen Heating

Unfortunately, there are some concerns about the feasibility of hydrogen heating, but this is currently being reviewed by the EAC and CCC.

Hydrogen is not cheap to produce

The energy company Centrica believes that hydrogen is certainly part of the mix, but believes the technology is at least 10 years away from producing it cleanly and costs are unknown.

Currently, there are two leading methods of hydrogen production: electrolysis and Steam Methane Reforming (SMR).

Electrolysis works by splitting water molecules into two separate hydrogen molecules with the use of a high-voltage current. You’re basically electrocuting water to get energy. 

When the electricity used is generated using renewable energy, and then this is the most eco-friendly method of producing hydrogen.

The second leading method is Steam Methane Reforming which is the method of reacting steam with methane.

A by-product of producing hydrogen this way is a carbon by-product. Although it isn’t all negative, since the carbon produced can be captured before it’s released into the atmosphere. Locked-up carbon isn’t as bad as carbon running around freely. 

Right now, both hydrogen production methods are expensive and so are not viable for the mass market where megatons of hydrogen will be required to provide a nationwide supply.

Hydrogen is flammable

Gas is flammable, but hydrogen is arguably even more flammable due to its energy storage, however, it also doesn’t have a smell, so detectors are an essential part of their use to ensure safety is maintained.

Storage isn’t Easy

Hydrogen isn’t as heavy as natural gas and so it is much more difficult to store and transport. In order to achieve adequate conditions, it needs to be turned into a liquid and stored at a low temperature. With global warming, this is getting even harder.

Hydrogen has less energy than Natural Gas (Per Unit of Volume)

When it comes to energy content, hydrogen has a higher energy density per unit of mass. However, it has a lower energy density per unit of volume compared to natural gas.

This means that a larger volume of hydrogen is required to provide the same amount of energy as a given volume of natural gas.

Low Carbon Off-Grid Heating

Low carbon heating for off-grid properties is less clear, but the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy (CGS) are very clear that the installation of high carbon fossil fuel heating in new and existing off-gas grid residential buildings will be phased out over the next ten years.

Yet with oil being the most widely used fuel in off-grid properties, used by around 850,000 people nationwide, just how realistic is this proposal?

The UK’s trade association for oil heating systems, OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association), disputes that switching oil boilers is not viable for off-grid properties. In all fairness, we didn’t expect them to say much else. 

To their credit, in May 2020, OFTEC released their plan for the future of off-grid heating in A Strategy for Decarbonising Oil Heated Homes. They believe this can be attained by 2035, by adopting the following low-carbon fuels:

• Phase 1 by 2027: 30% blend of biofuel and 70% kerosene.

• Phase 2 by 2035: 100% renewable liquid fuel.

Judging by the OFTEC, it’s a close race between banning oil from off-grid homes and an Arsenal Premier League title before 2035. 

OFTEC believes this strategy addresses concerns of both the Government net-zero targets while offering better outcomes for off-grid households.

It enables households to avoid the large upfront costs associated with replacing their current system and since the fuel network is well established, it will mean the necessary professionals and suppliers are already available to support the change.

Grants for Low Carbon Heating

In order to help with the costs associated with the installation of low-carbon heating appliances, as well as energy-efficiency improvements the UK Government launched the Green Homes Grant - available for homes in any colour, but unfortunately this is no longer open to new applicants. 

At present, there are two main schemes known as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), as well as the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) available from selected local authorities. 

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, known as BUS offers the following: 

• £5,000 for air source heat pumps and biomass boilers.

• £6,000 for ground source heat pumps.

The Home Upgrade Grant is another option, this scheme is available with around 45 local authorities in England and enables eligible homes to access grants to make energy-saving upgrades, including the installation of solar panels. 

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