Did you know that almost 30% of the UK’s total greenhouse emissions come from heating our homes? Or that an average household gas boiler emits greenhouse gases equivalent to approximately 2.2 tonnes of CO2 per year? That’s more emissions in a year than taking seven transatlantic flights between London and New York.
In the UK, we seem to have accepted that gas heating is the best option for heating our homes and hot water. We were sold the idea that gas is much more efficient, practical, and cost-effective than other heat sources like oil and electric heating.
However, decades of relying on gas have damaged the environment and will continue to do so unless we take action urgently. The time to switch is now.
Why switch from gas to an alternative heat source?
A major report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calls for carbon emissions to be cut by 50% by 2030 and to zero by 2060 in order to meet the 1.5oC target, which would mean the end of using fossil fuels for power in just a few decades. This would include replacing gas boilers with an eco-friendly alternative to heat homes and hot water.
“For most people, your boiler is probably the most environmentally damaging thing that you own.”
Andrew Sissons, Deputy Director of Nesta’s Sustainable Future team
The good news is that renewable technology, including electric heating, is now in a position to replace gas boilers in the home without compromising our lifestyles.
Switch to electric to reduce emissions
Modern wall-mounted electric radiators are highly energy-efficient and easy to control. Nearly 100% of all energy used by a modern electric radiator is converted into heat, unlike a gas boiler, which has a much lower conversion rate.
Low-carbon heat generation like electric radiators and storage heaters could reduce emissions by 79%, saving 1.25 tonnes of CO2 per year for the average home.
All modern boilers need a supply of electricity to operate, but electric boilers turn the electricity into heat rather than burning fossil fuels. An electric heating system is practically 100% efficient and remains so throughout its lifetime. This means every £1 spent produces £1 worth of valuable heat with no energy wasted.
When combined with effective insulation in your home to reduce heat escape, electric heating is an incredibly cost-effective way to reduce your carbon footprint and keep your home as environmentally friendly as possible.
Switch to electric to save money
Not only will switching to electric heating reduce your carbon footprint, but it can also save you money. Modern electric storage heaters and radiators allow you to heat rooms individually and with precision, based on accurate temperature readings. This is especially effective when you lower the heating in rooms that aren’t used as frequently as others.
And smart, WiFi-enabled controls can adjust the temperature automatically based on the number of occupants in the room, if a window is open, and the time of day.
So it’s clear that electric heating gives you greater control of your heating, which gives you greater control over how much you’re spending.
Switch to electric to reduce future costs
Electric heating is easier and significantly cheaper to maintain than other heating methods like gas, oil, or biomass. With very few moving parts and no connected boiler, electric radiators need very little maintenance and don’t need to be serviced annually, saving you money and hassle.
More importantly, the cost of gas is likely to rise faster than gas due to the fact that gas is likely to become more scarce over time and is gradually being phased out by the UK government.
The time to switch to electric heating is now
It is now more critical than ever to look at how we reduce our energy costs. This can be achieved in two ways: reducing the price paid and the volume used. Of course, the price we pay is now entirely out of our control. However, we can reduce how much expensive fossil fuel-based energy we use and switch to a cheaper alternative.
Reducing our demand through better insulating our homes and accelerating the switch from gas to electric heating should be prioritised. And with today’s gas prices creating more favourable economics, now is the time to move.
Sources: Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the Office of National Statistics (ONS), Committee on Climate Change (CCC).
Ready to make the switch to energy-efficient electric heating?
We provide a range of modern, efficient and intelligent electric heating solutions and can help you make the switch from gas.
Use our enquiry form to tell us what you need for your home and one of our friendly team will be in touch. If you have any questions about electric heating, you can call us on 01382 566942 (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm).