How To Choose The Right Heating System For Your Household

published May 01, 2020
3 min read

When it comes to choosing the best way to heat up your household, you’ll have to take more things into consideration. Choosing appropriate heating can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you need to make a quick decision with the perfect installment period just around the corner.

First things first, there is a lot to choose from on the market and two things need an answer right away:

  1. What is the most efficient way to heat up your home?
  2. What price range do you have in mind?

Also, remember that sometimes the most effective solution may be more expensive in the beginning, but will significantly reduce your expenses in the years to come. This means that the installation itself will cost more or it’s more complex and has to be done by professionals, but this will payout in the next 10-20 years when you will notice a massive reduction in your electrical bill.

Maybe the most important decision in implementing heating systems in your home is choosing the people who will make it happen, as mentioned before. If someone does it right the first time it will save you a lot of money and time, since this process can drain you and your finances if you need fixing every now and then.

According to many studies heating your home takes up to 40% of your utility bill, so choosing your heating systems wisely is one of the most important decisions about your household.

As the effects of climate change can be felt everywhere people and companies are starting to adjust their needs while keeping in mind they can be helpful too. Now, more than ever people are thinking about making their homes greener. Finally, we are realising that every small decision can make a big difference when making a responsible choice regarding our environment. Reducing the energy we use as a household in order to heat our home can really make an impact if we see it on a larger scale.

As mentioned before, there are a lot of options to choose from but we will look through some of the most effective heating systems available.

#1 Active Solar Heating

Solar heating is the most effective way to heat up your home and by far the best choice if you are into being an eco-friendly and environmental household.

Solar Panels and Solar Thermal Panels

A solar heating system uses the sun as the main source eliminating the need for natural gas or electricity and is pollution-free and causes no greenhouse gases to be emitted after installation. It uses mechanical or electric equipment to convert or produce solar energy into heat and also, electrical power which is stored in a system and can be used whenever you need it.

Their life expectancy is long and they should last for more than 20 years. The cost of installing this system, according to PriceYourJob.co.uk, ranges from £3,000 to £7,500 since it needs a secondary heating source. In order to implement the whole solar system, you will need to hire highly-skilled professionals from the relevant field.

#2 Gas Heaters

Using gas heaters is a very famous choice for smaller households as natural gas heaters can heat spaces efficiently. These types of heating units can run safely without using too much energy.

However, such heaters should be checked and serviced regularly every few years. On the market you will find 2 types of gas heaters:

  • Flued (vented)
  • Unflued (unvented)

When using flued gas heaters the good thing is that no extra ventilation is needed. However, heating efficiency can be slightly smaller because of the heat being discharged through the flue. Also, implementing the infrastructure may cost a bit more.

Unflued heaters can be way more energy efficient because the heat which goes through the vent won’t be lost. Although, this is more efficient, be careful since they can become health hazards if not done properly.

#3 Heat Pumps Systems

This type of heating is a very energy-efficient option and it produces heat without using fossil fuels. It works in a simple way – an electric pump produces heat which can be taken from the air or the ground. When we talk about efficiency, it can be used as an air conditioner as well during the warmer periods by drawing cool air.

Heat Pumps

They are considered as an environmentally-friendly option because they rely on renewable energy sources. Maybe the best thing about them, apart from being non-polluting, is that they are easy and relatively inexpensive to install.

#4 Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating brings various benefits to the table. It produces almost no energy loss, it warms spaces equally, it’s flexible in terms of energy source, and last but not least, it excludes the possibility of allergens and mites blowing around caused by forced-air heating. However, this type of heating is perhaps the one that is most tricky to install and it costs a bit more than the rest. So it’s worth understanding the pros and cons of underfloor heating compared to radiators, since they are the most common heating solution in the UK. Also, you will have to be careful about your carpet choice with this one.

#5 Hydronic House Heating

Just like the solar heating systems, this one, too, is the one you won’t go wrong with if you choose it in the long run. Although they cost more at the start in the implementation stage, it will really payout in the years to come thanks to its energy efficiency and very low costs in maintaining it. When properly installed, it’s estimated that this system will last up to 20 years.

Hydronic house heating systems are estimated to be 35% more cost-efficient than for example, running a central ducted heating system. Maybe the only thing that is not their best feature is that they can be a bit noisy while running.

Wrapping Up

These few heating systems that we listed are the most effective ways to heat up your household. They are non-polluters and with proper maintenance can last for a long time saving you a lot of money on utility bills. Choose wisely according to your needs and make sure that whichever option you chose is done by professionals.