It’s not breaking news that our heating bills are on the rise, which means the affordability of keeping warm in the winter is becoming more of a struggle.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with throwing on a knitted jumper or opting for two pairs of socks, but your home heating system should be a reliable tool that keeps you warm in the harsh winter months without putting an overbearing strain on your bills.
Your self-build journey comes with a lot of questions, one of them being ‘How am I going to heat my home?’
The ideal heating solution should not only keep you cosy and comfortable but should also align with your energy efficiency goals and budget. This article will delve into some of the best heating solutions for your self-build home:
UNDERFLOOR HEATING
Underfloor heating is gaining popularity for its even distribution of warmth and comforting feel underfoot. These systems operate at a much lower and safer temperature than conventional radiators, all while using less energy to heat the room effectively.
Your average radiator will transfer energy through convection, which is the process of transferring heat through the air. The warm air then rises, which can result in insufficient heating at the floor level.
Underfloor heating works to evenly distribute heat throughout a room by radiating heat from the floor upwards. This method not only provides consistent heating but also maximises space as it eliminates the need for radiators. With recent advancements in technology, underfloor heating systems are becoming a more cost-effective solution to energy-efficient heating.
Underfloor heating systems come in two forms:
Electric Underfloor Heating systems consist of electric cables or heating mats installed beneath the floor covering, such as tile, stone or laminate. When electricity passes through the cables, they generate heat, which then warms up the floor and radiates upward into the room. These systems are controlled by a thermostat which must be installed by a qualified electrician.
Water-based Underfloor Heating systems have plastic pipes laid beneath the floor, and hot water is circulated through these pipes from a boiler or heat pump. The heated water warms the floor surface, which in turn heats the room above. Hydronic systems are often connected to the central heating system of a building. These systems will keep your heating bills down but are typically more expensive to set up.
Checkatrade estimates the price of underfloor heating installation and materials to cost anywhere between £500 – £8,000, but factors such as the size of your property and additional labour requirements make it difficult to predict.
Thinking about installing underfloor heating? Both systems work similarly, but make sure to do your research to find which type will suit your needs best. The heat output will also vary depending on your type of flooring and your quality of insulation.
AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) are another popular heating choice for self-builders, offering a simple form of renewable heat that keeps energy costs low. Renewable energy companies, like Global Energy Systems, can design these pumps specifically with the UK climate in mind, all while outperforming gas, oil and electric systems.
Simplistically, an air-source heat pump works like a fridge, but in reverse. Instead of taking heat from the inside and dumping it from the back, an ASHP takes the heat energy out of the air, multiplies it, and transfers it to your heating system or hot water.
The air source heat pump uses electricity to drive this process. Capturing the energy taken from the air offers four times as much heat going out as electricity coming in. This allows a house to be heated by the equivalent of a blow heater.
ASHPs are especially effective in colder climates, which is another reason they are a popular choice for British builders.
The system’s sustainability comes from the fact that it comes as a single box that replaces a boiler. It can provide 100% of the heating and hot water demand of even the largest homes. The system has zero emissions on-site and produces lower carbon emissions compared to traditional heating systems.
The main disadvantage of an ASHP is the higher installation cost, with new-build fittings costing between £10,000 and £20,000. However, once it’s up and running, your bills should drop.
Check out our famous Gleneagles Self Build, which uses an Air Source Heat Pump to heat itself.
Similar to ASHPs, Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) utilise heat pump technology but extract heat from the ground instead of the air. They can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder, getting it ready to use for your hot shower or tap.
GSHPs rely on buried pipes filled with a mixture of water and antifreeze, which absorb heat from the ground and relocate it indoors. This mixture flows around a loop of pipe buried in your garden. This loop could either be a coiled pipe buried in trenches or a long inserted into a borehole.
The mixture (often referred to as ‘brine’) absorbs heat from the ground, which is then transferred through a heat exchanger into the heat pump. This raises the temperature of the fluid and the heat created is transferred to the water.
GSHP’s are a reliable way to heat your water, but there are a few more things to consider. You’ll need adequate space for digging your trenches and boreholes, as well as checking the ground to avoid any tree roots or pipework. You’ll also need enough space indoors for the heat pump unit, which is similar to the size of your average fridge.
While the installation of GSHPs requires more space and groundwork compared to ASHPs, they offer higher efficiency and can provide heating, cooling, and hot water throughout the year. These pumps are also a low-carbon heating source, emitting less carbon than oil or gas boilers.
SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS
Solar thermal heating systems are another sustainable heating option for your self-build. While they do not provide heat all year round, they can meet all your domestic hot water needs during the summer months.
Utilising the power of the sun, solar thermal systems use rooftop collectors to absorb sunlight. This absorbed sunlight is trapped in the panel where it produces heat, which is sent to your hot water cylinder or thermal store through a transferring fluid.
There are a few things to consider before opting for a solar thermal system. Primarily, consider how much sun your home is going to get. Solar power unsurprisingly relies on the amount of sunlight your home receives, so this heating system won’t keep the same effectiveness required throughout the year.
Once installed, the panels have no running costs, but it’s important to remember that solar thermal is only suitable for hot water and is rarely suitable for central heating.
If your self-build requires a percentage of your energy to come from a renewable source, a solar thermal system could be the solution for you. The cost of the system (including installation) is estimated to be between £3500 - £7500.
When looking for an installer, check for MCS certification for the added assurance of quality, as well as a warranty for the panels.
Selecting the best heating system for your self-build requires consideration for every aspect of your home, taking energy efficiency, environmental impact, upfront costs, maintenance requirements, and compatibility with renewable energy sources into account.
Make sure to do your research on the methods that best suit you. Alternatively, consult a heating specialist or energy advisor to help you make an informed decision on how you’re going to heat your new home.
By choosing the right heating solution, you know that you’ll be living in a comforting and cost-effective home that keeps the outside chill at bay.
