What we’ll cover…
- What is eco heating? Different alternative options to gas boilers
- Heat pumps: Cost-effective operation and efficiency
- Infrared heaters: The advantages and limitations of infrared heating solutions
- Biomass boilers and stoves: Maintenance and sustainability advantages
- Solar thermal panels: Effectiveness and wide scale usage
- Heat retention storage heaters: Practicality and functionality benefits
Identifying the best gas boiler alternatives
An emphasis on rising energy costs has been an especially prominent catalyst in the rise in popularity of eco heating systems in recent times. But what are the most viable eco alternatives to gas boilers, in terms of availability, purchase and running costs and general energy efficient operation?
This blog will shine a spotlight on a variety of eco heating solutions, explaining what the best options are for particular properties, how easy or difficult they might be to source, and what sort of financial incentives could potentially be available for anyone switching from gas to green heating.
What are the advantages of eco heating and is it worth making the flip?
Read on to discover which eco heating options may be the best for your home.
What are eco heating systems?
Whilst incorporating many forms, eco heating systems do share a couple of consistent common traits. Those being a lack of CO2 emissions and a lengthy lifespan.
Essentially, eco heating options are fitted with energy efficiency at the forefront of the mind; the aim is to provide an adequate level of warmth for the household year round, whilst minimizing the environmental impact of home heating to the utmost effect.
Of course, the choice of heating system is a major consideration for any home renovation or house move, and given the drive to move away from gas-based heating systems on the whole, new-build properties in particular are now largely favouring the introduction of eco heating solutions.
But the possibility exists, indeed often a financially incentivized one in fact, to switch from more traditional gas boilers to green heating solutions as part of home refurbishments as well.
You’ll be looking to strike the perfect balance between sustainability and cost effectiveness when making the move.
As an overview, the available domestic eco heating systems are as follows…
- Heat pumps
- Infrared heaters and panels
- Biomass boilers and stoves
- Solar thermal panels
- Heat retention storage heaters
Heat pumps
Heat pumps are devices which use a minute level of electricity to draw natural heat from a cold space and release it into a warmer one. Essentially, they work in the same way as a fridge does, though the heat transfer process is done in reverse. What’s more, reversible heat pumps provide the functionality to deliver heating in the colder winter months and cooling in warmer summer climes.
An extremely efficient operation is a hallmark of heat pump systems, which can create around three to four times more heat than standard electric heaters drawing upon the same amount of electricity. In addition to this, they represent a completely consistent home heating solution that can be relied upon to perform well all year round.
Both ground source and air source heat pumps are available, each of which offer clean and sustainable means of acquiring energy. They draw upon natural heat which is replenished by the sun in a constant cycle, setting them apart from alternative fuels. And greenhouse gas emissions are no concern either, given that combustion isn’t a part of the process.
Generally speaking, heat pumps come with a reasonably high purchase and installation cost. However, financial incentives exist in relation to their fitting, as detailed in our blog, Heat Pump Grants – Your Key Questions Answered. Teamed with savings on running costs and cheaper energy bills over time, heat pumps can actually prove a much more financially viable solution than you might imagine, especially in comparison with the likes of gas boilers and other heating options.
Heat pump advantages
- Green heating solution with no local combustion
- Financially incentivized installation with government assistance available
- Much cheaper running costs in comparison with the likes of gas boilers and other more traditional heating systems (can save up to £1,500 annually)
- Extremely efficient operation – Coefficient of Performance (or CoP) rating exceeds 3.5
- Perfect option for homes with solar panels
Heat pump disadvantages
- Relatively high purchase and installation cost
Infrared heaters & panels
Infrared heaters and infrared heating panels work in an entirely different manner to convection heating systems.
Whilst convector heaters warm the air, infrared heaters instead transmit infrared energy onto solid items. The energy absorbed by these objects leads to vibrations amongst the molecules, which in turn heats up the unit, room or person.
An ultimately extremely effective heating option, infrared heaters or panels can actually deliver a greater and more efficient energy output than convection heating solutions in some instances.
Infrared heater & panel advantages
- Diminutive profile
- Require little to no maintenance
- No air circulation makes them an ideal option for those who suffer with allergies
- Silent operation
Infrared heater & panel disadvantages
- As infrared heaters don’t warm the air, the room can feel much colder quickly when they are turned off
- The systems only have a short range of three metres or less
- Infrared panels can be less effective if there are constructing objects between the panels themselves and people in the room
- Given that infrared energy is transported via glass, infrared heaters are unsuitable for window-facing installation
Biomass boilers & stoves
Biomass boilers, also referred to as domestic wood-fuelled heating systems, unsurprisingly, burn wood chips, pellets and logs to generate energy. The biomass materials used for fuel are inclusive of industrial waste, animals and food.
In terms of domestic eco heating solutions, biomass stoves can be used to warm up a single room or smaller area of a home, whilst biomass boilers can be viewed as a replacement to a gas boiler or central heating system, providing heat and hot water for an entire property. Refer to our previously linked heat pump grants guide for a better insight, but only certain biomass stove installations are financially incentivized by the UK government, namely pellet versions that feature a back boiler.
Biomass heating systems are able to operate sustainably due to the fact that the carbon dioxide emissions that result from their burning of wood is the same as that absorbed over the course of the plant growing.
One notable sticking point for would-be switchers to biomass heating solutions is whether or not they can obtain or source the required fuels locally with relative ease or not. Plus, the required maintenance of biomass boilers and stoves can potentially be off-putting as well – each system needs to be cleaned frequently for the removal of ash and debris, unless a budget-stretching self-cleaning system is the order. And in the case of both boilers and stoves, homeowners will have to make sure both chimney and flue pipes undergo a professional sweep at least once a year.
In addition to these elements, the size of biomass boilers has to be a significant consideration as well; they are a deal bigger than oil and gas boiler systems. Any potential biomass buyers would need to ensure they comfortably have the required space for the necessary fuel as well and a flue that meets regulations – that being either an insulated stainless steel pipe or, more commonly, an existing lined chimney. Any biomass heating system installation must also be compliant with building regulations, so it is advisable to seek guidance or reassurance from your local council or planning authority to determine if planning permission will have to be sought.
Ultimately, in terms of energy efficient performance and eventual potential savings, the good outweighs the bad as it pertains to biomass heating solutions. It is reasonable to suggest that the boiler option is favourable where possible, as they can make use of the same fuel to provide hot water for an entire property whilst also warming the whole home via central heating functionality. Whilst they cost a pretty penny from the outset, government assistance can ease the financial burden, and given how excellent an alternative they can prove to gas boilers for all the reasons aforementioned, they provide returns to more than justify a hefty initial price.
Biomass boiler & stove advantages
- Excellent green heating solution which can be carbon-neutral
- Potential to save up to £800 per year on energy bills in comparison with gas or oil alternatives
- Very cheap source of fuel
- Eligible for government funding assistance as incentivization to install
Biomass boiler & stove disadvantages
- Expensive to purchase and install
- Fuel prices can fluctuate depending on area, how much is available and type of wood
- Regulation-meeting flue is a requirement
- Significantly larger than a standard gas boiler so bigger space is needed for fitting and storing
- Require regular maintenance in terms of cleaning and refuelling
Solar thermal panels
Solar thermal panels operate in an economically friendly manner by absorbing the sun’s heat via solar collectors, which are installed on the roof of a home. From there, the resulting heated fluid is transported to a hot water tank and ready for use throughout the home.
One of the biggest drawbacks concerning solar panels, especially for households subjected to the unpredictable UK climate, is that they don’t provide an adequate level of energy to meet the heating requirements of a typical property. As such, they are regularly used to accompany the likes of heat pumps or infrared heating panels.
Furthermore, they continue the renewable energy solutions trend of incorporating an expensive initial cost, with wealthy returns over time.
Solar thermal panel advantages
- Little to no maintenance needed
- Eligible for government assistance to offset much of the initial purchase and installation price
- Can fulfill 50% of a typical household’s hot water requirements
- Very economically friendly operation
Solar thermal panel disadvantages
- Expensive to purchase and install
- Unable to meet the heating demands of a full household typically, needs to be used as a secondary solution
- Reliant on weather
Heat retention storage heaters
Heat retention storage heaters are able to provide an economically viable heating solution by relying on less expensive night-time electricity for power. Storage heaters essentially charge up during the evening and gradually release their stored heat over the course of the day.
However, the perceived impracticality of the systems was one of the most common criticisms levelled at them, with users often needing to ‘play a guessing game’ as it related to their heating requirements. Concerns over this, plus the efficiency, or lack thereof for an eco-heating system, have however been largely eliminated since new legislation came to the fore in 2018, and modern heat retention storage heaters work much smarter in both regards.
Contemporary storage heaters have much improved insulation properties, so warmth won’t be lost via leakages, and fan-assisted controls now aid with overnight heating to emit an extra burst of warmth, so the desired effect is achieved much more readily.
What’s more, the majority of newer models also incorporate an integrated back-up heater in the event that heat ever does actually run out. There is automatic functionality for the heater to detect just how much charge is necessary in accordance with the regularity that the back-up heater is used. In turn, the heater will alter in line with daily usage patterns, easily enhancing efficiency levels.
And the presence of in-built digital thermostats will allay any worries over having to predict what level of heat will be required. Modern storage heaters will allow the user to create a personalised heating schedule that is programmable 24/7 for versatile control over your home heating. They can also be controlled remotely so you don’t need to worry about wasted energy when you are away from the home.
Heat retention storage heater advantages
- Modern versions can be programmed with a tailored heating schedule
- Energy efficient performance
- Eligible for storage heater grants to help with initial up-front cost
- Good value running costs as they make use of night-time electricity and charge when not in use
Heat retention storage heater advantages
- Expensive initial purchase and installation costs
- Some models can be impractical if the household requires a consistent heating schedule
- Questionable efficiency of some older storage heater models
Choosing the right eco heating solution
Outside of the whole home eco heating systems detailed throughout this blog, the opportunity also exists to install electric radiators throughout the home. Although obviously, this is likely to prove a more expensive means to achieve an economical home heating measure, as multiple rads would be required. That said, there are an impressive selection of affordable electric heating styles to consider.
Each of the eco heating solutions touched upon in this article come attached with their own unique benefits and drawbacks, and you should now have all the information required to weigh up which is the best system to switch to for yourself personally.
If you would like any further help or advice regarding eco heating systems though, or have any other home heating posers, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the BestHeating team. You can do so by leaving your thoughts in the comments section below, or by contact us via Instagram, Facebook or X.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thermal heat stores can provide either solely hot water, usually in cohesion with a solar water heating system, or only space heating, typically alongside a heat pump system. Finally, thermal heat stores can provide a combination of mains pressure hot water and space heating.
That said, thermal heat stores can work alongside renewable energy solutions or boilers to deliver the appropriate heating devices within a property, such as designer radiators or heated towel rails.
For further information, browse our dedicated blog, What is a thermal heat store?
In the main, thermal heat stores are used for commercial premises, where it is imperative that there are always reserves of heat or thermal energy on hand. A thermal heat store holds onto excess heat with the use of a single or multiple renewable heating technologies, so a thermal energy deficit is never a concern.
Thermal heat stores perform especially well alongside ground and air source heat pumps, as well as solar panel systems and biomass boilers, which are also currently more commonplace with regards to commercial ventures as opposed to residential properties.
Explore our blog, What is a thermal heat store?, for further details.
Considering it typically takes around one to two hours for an electrician to remove a storage heater, you can expect the replacement process to cost around £45-£60 based on the average UK electrician’s hourly rate to swap with a new designer radiator.
In the case that you want to replace several storage heaters throughout the home, the project might take a day or two. In line with a typical UK electrician daily rate, this would cost about £200-£250 per day.
For a more detailed insight into upgrading to affordable electric heating, explore our blog, Replacing storage heaters with electric heating.
Yes, electric heaters have lower running costs than outdated storage heaters. This is in light of the development and increase in quality of modern electric heating technology which allows radiators to convert electrical energy into heat more efficiently.
Also, electric heating controls have improved markedly, with the likes of Wi-Fi thermostats and smart controls offering more functionality than ever, better temperature control and less energy wastage.
For further information surrounding affordable electric heating solutions, explore our blog, Replacing storage heaters with electric heating.
Infrared heating operates by directly transferring heat from the infrared device itself to the object, which is the person or people within a room and the actual room as well.
As such, infrared heating works without heating the air in between the object that needs it, to offer one of the very most energy efficient means to gather warmth.
For a deeper insight, explore our blogs, The ultimate guide to infrared heaters, and Embrace radiant warmth: infrared heaters, panels and radiators in the UK.
Infrared heating is extremely energy efficient, as it directly transfers heat from an infrared device to an object like the person within a room or the room itself, without heating up the air in between.
This is done from any infrared heating option such as infrared panel heaters or any alternative appliance, making infrared heating one of the most efficient means for warmth consumption on the market.
To find out more, visit our blogs, The ultimate guide to infrared heaters and Embrace radiant warmth: infrared heaters, panels and radiators in the UK.
Infrared radiators work by transferring heat directly to the object that requires it, whether that be the person or people in a room or the space itself.
Therefore, infrared panel heaters (to give them their proper name) operate without actually heating the air between them and the object that needs it for an efficient performance.
To discover more, explore our blogs, The ultimate guide to infrared heaters and Embrace radiant warmth: infrared heaters, panels and radiators in the UK.
Modern heat pump technology, or flexible heat pump technology, is designed to make heat pump systems operate more efficiently via the presence of a small water tank and a copper tube coil.
It is estimated from early research that this modern heat pump technology could lead heat pumps to work around 10% more efficiently than the standard current designs on the market, which it is hoped will make the systems a more popular green solution and reduce the country’s overall carbon footprint in tow.
To learn more about modern heat pump technology, and how heat pumps can work alongside your existing hot water radiators, explore our blog, Can you pair radiators with heat pumps?
A flexible heat pump is a modern version of a heat pump that uses new technology which enables them to operate more efficiently and effectively. Flexible heat pumps basically incorporate a small water tank and copper tube coil to create a heat storage vice.
The water tank takes the extra thermal energy from the pump’s operation and stores it as an extra heat source when the pump is back in use. Furthermore, the recovered heat is a lot warmer than the outdoor air which usually works as the main heat source, and can be re-used as a temporary source of heat, significantly decreasing the amount of energy the pump uses in operation.
As well as this, flexible heat pumps are also able to continue working even whilst defrosting in freezing conditions due to the included water tank holding onto recovered heat, which is far from the case with standard designs that continue to use electricity even when out of use in defrosting.
For further information on flexible heat pumps, how your hot water radiators can work with heat pumps and plenty more, take a look at our dedicated blog, Can you pair radiators with heat pumps?
Air source heat pumps are only about as noisy as a standard household fridge. And considering they will be installed outside the home, the low level of noise they produce whilst in operation shouldn’t be of any concern at all.
In actual fact, air source heat pumps are actually quieter than other household appliances such as washing machines, and actually emit a slightly lower sound output than traditional gas boilers as well.
For further information, take a look at our blogs, Busting The Myths About Air Source Heat Pumps, and our Ultimate Guide To Air Source Heat Pumps, and this air source heat pump guide from the Energy Saving Trust.
Large radiators that produce high heat outputs are nigh on guaranteed to work well with heat pumps.
Both ground source and air source heat pumps typically deliver low flow temperatures, so the surface area of the device chosen to heat the space will generally need to be bigger than it would when operating with an oil or gas boiler.
For this reason, underfloor heating is often put forward as a stellar choice to team with heat pumps. However, the right type of radiators, like the bigger, powerful models mentioned, can work just as well.
To find out more, consult our dedicated blog, Will My Existing Radiators Work With A Heat Pump?, or look for air source heat pump information from the Energy Saving Trust.
With a background in sports journalism, John counts content writing amongst his key passions. He’s always peppering our Advice Centre feed with reasoned and researched home heating tips, and providing expert solutions to the questions you want answering. Fine football and music connoisseur. In his own head, at least.
