| There is a lot of information now available on | | | | regulation for each room. However, underfloor |
| energy use and the effect of global warming so it | | | | heating is generally more energy efficient than |
| is impossible not to be aware of the damage it is | | | | radiators but obviously this depends on the |
| doing. Unfortunately, residential housing is the | | | | radiators you have |
| biggest energy user. This energy use is split | | | | Underfloor heating works effectively with a |
| roughly into 60% heating 23% hot water, 10% | | | | geothermal heat pump. It is three - four times |
| electricity and 7% cooking. We are also using | | | | more efficient than a condensing boiler and |
| more energy now than ever. Thankfully, there | | | | because of more efficient room heating the |
| are equally lots of things we can do to improve | | | | thermostat can be turned down. |
| the energy efficiency of our homes which will not | | | | As regards fireplaces, the most efficient are in |
| only reduce the negative impact on the | | | | fact not gas, electric or coal fires but wood |
| environment but save money as well. By far the | | | | burning stoves. |
| most significant contributor to global warming is | | | | Check with your local authority whether or not |
| the burning of fossil fuels and half of this in | | | | your are in a smokeless zone. Even if you are |
| private housing. Gas is the most efficient form of | | | | some wood burners are permitted so if you find |
| energy we use and electricity is the least. | | | | that you are it is worth clarifying whether your |
| As for conventional heating systems, wood | | | | choice of wood burning stove would still be |
| burning stoves and boilers give off far lower | | | | permitted. |
| pollution than standard heating systems. Although | | | | Many modern wood burners use wood pellets |
| a wood burning boiler system costs more than a | | | | instead of logs made from sawdust and other |
| conventional system to install it has very | | | | wood waste and can be bought and delivered in |
| competitive running costs. | | | | bulk rather like fossil fuels which, incidentally are |
| There are also natural gas fired micro-combined | | | | not a very energy efficient. The Hot Water |
| heat and power units currently being tested. | | | | Industry Council has a website which provides |
| When these are linked to the grid lines they | | | | unbiased information on all heating and hot water |
| enable you to top-up when your system can't | | | | matters. You can find information saving energy |
| meet your needs and export any excess power | | | | and grants, a registered installer and the heat loss |
| at other times. After wood burning boilers, oil fired | | | | calculator helps you calculate how much heat is |
| boilers are the most energy efficient. Gas | | | | lost in your home. Quick fixes for heating and |
| condensing boilers can be used with radiators and | | | | lighting include: |
| underfloor heating and are the most energy | | | | - Use an efficient heating system and don't use air |
| efficient type of gas boiler. | | | | conditioning. |
| If you are in the process of installing a new gas | | | | - Contrary to what some may believe, it is not |
| boiler look out for an "A" rated condensing boiler | | | | cheaper to have the central heating on all the |
| or blue labelled "Energy Saving Recommended". | | | | time rather than programmed to the times when |
| Sedbuk is a boiler efficiency database as well as | | | | it is needed the most. |
| also providing correct sizing for a boiler in your | | | | - For lower utility bills turn the thermostat down a |
| house. Thermostatic radiators valves will control | | | | degree and turn off the lights and appliances |
| the heat from individual radiators allowing | | | | when they are not needed. |