Renewable Energy

If you’re planning on installing a new heating system to your existing or newbuild property, you may be asking yourself about which heating system will offer the best value and performance for your home. 

The upcoming changes to Part L, due to be implemented in 2022, are an interim step on the way to 2025. The ultimate aim is that the average new home produces at least 75% fewer CO2 emissions than one built to current energy efficiency requirements.  This first set of changes will mandate a 31% reduction in CO2 emissions from new dwellings, compared to current standards. This means that all new heating systems will have to be designed with a maximum flow temperature of 55°C or lower.   In addition, there will be a requirement for self-regulating, zoned, control devices. While there is flexibility on how to meet the targets, and there are a variety of renewable energy sources available, the government expects heat pumps to become the primary heating technology for new homes.

There are considerable differences between a heat pump and gas boiler, and we can help you make a more informed decision about which is best suited to you and your property.

In 2025 gas and oil boilers will be banned from installation in new build houses which means heat pumps will be the set standard.  

When it comes to your existing property, it’s likely you have a gas or oil boiler already in place and it’s just in need of an update. It would be cheaper and easier to simply switch the boiler for a new one of the same kind. However, if you’re planning a whole house upgrade, you may want to also consider a different heating system that can offer better efficiencies, requires less maintenance, is more environmentally friendly and has a longer lifespan.

Over the years, the price of installing a gas boiler has become more competitive and simplified. You can get a new gas boiler installed in a 3-4 bedroom house, with a flue, for around £3,000 (depending on make and model). But, as we all know, the price of energy is creeping up at an alarming rate so is this really an affordable option in the long run?  

Heat pumps on the other hand, have more sophisticated levels of engineering, with many elements constructed by hand. This means that the price is more premium and so we recommend budgeting around £8,500 to £15,000 for an air source heat pump and £18,000+ for a ground source (incl' installation). 

Heat pump running costs are operated by electricity, for every 1kWh of heat they produce around 25% comes from electricity and the remaining 75% comes from the air or ground making them highly efficient and economical.

Most heat pumps are even compatible with 'time of use' tariffs which offer access to the wholesale price of electricity as it changes every half hour. This type of heat pump will automatically operate at the lowest cost possible whilst also factoring in weather compensation in order to consistently deliver your preferred temperatures and heating schedules.

The good news is, to make the pricing of heat pumps more accessible, there will be funding schemes made available.