Are you looking for a way to make your home more environmentally friendly? Consider upgrading your heating to an industry-approved, eco-friendly solution. According to a report by the National Association of Home Builders, 87% of builders and remodelling experts consider energy-efficient heaters to be a vital component of green building techniques.
There are myriad benefits to upgrading to energy-efficient heaters, top of the list being savings on your energy bills. For example, geothermal units offer a 400% efficiency rating to drastically reduce your reliance on outside heat sources. Mini-split heating systems can save homeowners up to 25% of their energy bills by banishing superfluous ducts and creating more economical heating zones.
When comparing options, it’s important to consider your property’s material, age and structure to assess the possibilities more accurately. A newly built timber home will have vastly different energy requirements from a mid-century cottage with cavity walls, or a historic stone villa. It’s estimated that, in older properties, over 30% of warmth slips away due to air leakage, making it important to add insulation before installing any energy-efficient heaters. Add secondary glazing to windows and seal leaks to fortify your home’s fabric, and install smart heating systems to closely monitor energy use for better performance.
In conversations about energy-efficient heaters, geothermal systems often crop up at the top of the list. This innovation is relatively new, yet it's growing rapidly in popularity for commercial and residential properties alike. This is because these devices use existing heat from the Earth as a natural resource, akin to harnessing solar power. The Earth absorbs up to half of the sun’s energy, and this type of design uses underground loop pipes carrying a heat-absorbing solution. This is then condensed into the air and circulated through the home to provide warmth. A major benefit is that it can work in reverse during the summer, absorbing heat from the air and transferring it underground.
A second option is to install an air-source heat pump to warm and cool the home. This type of design works in a similar manner to the geothermal system, but extracting heat from the air rather than the earth. The concept is quite simple and compact, consisting of an exterior and interior heat exchanger coil. These collect and transfer heat to one another as needed.
Boilers can be effective energy-efficient heaters when complying with the latest ratings and standards. These usually distribute heat using a water-based network of radiators. An alternative is to use an underfloor heating system rather than radiators to distribute the hot water over a larger surface area. The end result is that, by distributing this heat, you can operate your boiler at a lower temperature to achieve the same level of interior warmth. It provides a natural level of insulation at the same time, boosting performance when teamed with a solar water heater.
Eco-friendly heating starts at the ground up, quite literally in the case of geothermal models. Fortify your home with insulation and install a natural, green system that uses the Earth’s power for greater economy and comfort. It's all part of creating a smarter home that's more efficient and sustainable.
