Heating, Ventilation & Services


The creative spark in boilers


Adam Taylor from Beesley & Fildes, discusses the potential of electric boilers as an affordable, easy to install alternative to both gas and air source heat pumps


T


he energy cap for domestic properties is due to rise on 1 April and the Government is already warning that there may be more price rises to come. Meanwhile businesses unable to benefit from the cap are also


faced with the challenges of increased costs and continued price volatility. With challenging carbon emissions targets to achieve, the UK Government


is keen to nudge homeowners, landlords and homebuilders towards alternative approaches to heating our properties over the next few years. Tere is a keen appetite, among both consumers and businesses to embrace renewable energy and look for technologies that are cleaner as well as more cost effective and reliable, but what’s the answer? Te smart money is tipping nuclear and wind power to be the target areas for


investment when the energy strategy is released, but the horse the Government is backing for domestic properties is air source heat pumps. A grant scheme has been made available to encourage take-up of air source heat pumps but, even with the financial incentives, the upfront costs are high and the payback period is considerable. Moreover, air source heat pumps are not suitable for all properties, they require electricity to operate the pump, and they can be difficult to retrofit. While there does need to be a focus on transitioning domestic heating


systems to more sustainable options, there also needs to be more creativity and pragmatism applied to this issue. Homeowners, landlords and developers that have the right resources and conditions in their properties can choose to invest in air source heat pumps and other renewable energy sources. Tose who do not, also need an affordable way to heat their homes – and hot water supply – using renewable energy where possible. Electric boilers offer an affordable, easy to retrofit, fit and forget solution for doing just that.


AN EASY ALTERNATIVE Te need to transition from gas to alternative energy sources for heat and hot water is environmental, financial and political, which makes for a compelling need to find viable solutions. But any transition is easier if we can find an alternative that is similar enough to what we’re used to – being easy and familiar, while still providing the advantages of something different. Electric boilers provide that potential. For existing properties, electric boilers can be installed using legacy pipework


and radiators. In effect, the electric boiler is a like-for-like switch for its gas predecessor. Tis not only minimises disruption for the homeowner or landlord, but also reduces the installation costs and avoids any additional costs involved in modifying the property for new technology. For landlords, it’s a particularly beneficial switch, because an electric boiler


requires no flue, no gas safety certification and no mandatory maintenance inspections. For rented properties and social housing, an electric boiler reduces maintenance costs and provides an assurance of tenant safety, with no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks or explosion.


MYTH BUSTING One of the common push backs when it comes to electric boilers is the running costs. Electric boilers oſten seem cost prohibitive compared to gas, but they can be operated using renewable energy sources to keep running costs


down. An ideal configuration for a smaller property, for example, would be an electric combi boiler and a solar power installation. For larger properties, an electric boiler combined with an unvented cylinder can take advantage of lower electricity tariffs during the night to heat enough hot water to last for the whole day at low cost. Electric boilers also provide an ideal energy source for underfloor heating, delivering a solution for contemporary homes and new builds. Government policy, developers, landlords and homeowners are not just considering the financial costs of alternatives to gas, they are also focused on


22 | HMMDecember/January 2023 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


Affordable Warmth Feature


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