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Five renewable reasons to choose electric


During the colder months, the conversation about emissions and how energy is consumed begins to ramp up again. The urgency to transition to efficient and clean solutions of heating is key to these conversations


G


as boilers are still heating 85% of the UK’s homes and the news of new oil and gas licenses being awarded and Net Zero polices


being altered signified further that renewable adoption needs to increase. Around 88% of the public support renewable


energy and in the past 12 months, 47% of Britons purchased low carbon technology. Alternative methods of heating such as electric,


have emerged as serious contenders to push ahead in the transition away from fossil fuels. Electric heating, for example, provides 100% efficiency and emits zero emissions when used with renewable energy. Keith Bastian, chief executive of Fischer Future


Heat, which specialises in electrical methods of heating has one goal: “Our target is just to ensure that every home has a form of heating that has the ability to help us reach Net Zero.” Moving away from fossil fuels is just one benefits of switching to electric.


Power to solar


Despite the myths, solar panels work all year round. Their output spikes heavily during summer because of the long daylight hours and increased sunlight. Output from solar energy increases by 50%


compared to the winter months. Combining solar panels with a battery will then allow you to store this energy to use in the evenings and when the sun isn’t shining.


During June 2023, solar power was generating


around 27 per cent of the UK’s power needs each lunchtime over the course of the weeks. According to EcoExperts, a typical three bed house with solar panels could save up to 62% on their electricity bills. If you live in London, you could save potentially


around £505 a year, as well as 750kg of CO2 emissions. Incorporating a solar set up with electric heating or air source heat pumps can further decrease carbon emissions from the home and promote energy efficiency.


Room by room control


Switching to electric puts the user firmly in control of their heat consumption. During the summer months, there is no reason to heat an entire house but occasionally the room you are in could require a top up of heat.


ALTERNATIVE FUEL SOURCES


Individual room thermostats allow the user to tailor specific rooms to desired levels of comfort. Keith believes that: “Possessing greater control doesn’t just mean additional convenience. It also means a reduction in carbon emissions and the potential to also reduce energy use.” With electric heating, short bursts of active


energy consumption are all that’s required to maintain comfortable temperatures even when the radiator is not drawing energy.


Hybrid heat pumps


Heat Pumps are one of the ‘key technologies’ for decarbonisation efforts, according to a report by the International Energy Agency. Taking heat from the air and elevating it to a higher temperature using a compressor, it then transfers the heat to the heating system in your home. The government have provided grants via the ‘Boiler Upgrade Scheme’ which provides customers £7,500 off the price of installation to aid in the switch.


Air source heat pumps are compatible with solar


energy sources and with existing gas boilers. The technology is ever evolving and adaptation


for widespread use is already taking place. Ranging from increased sizing to some models allowing autonomy between the hot water side of the system and the heating side. Making it possible to switch off the external heat pump unit in summer, reducing noise pollution.


Net Zero


The government has set a target to be Net Zero by 2050. Bound by law, this means greenhouse gas emissions need to be rapidly reduced. Around 40% of UK emissions come from domestic households. By switching a home’s energy source to electric, zero emissions are being released into the atmosphere and the collective carbon foot print is reduced. Fischer offers a free heating survey, so the correct form of electric heating can be installed in the household. Keith says: “What we to do is actually go and advise customers on a daily basis of what we think is the right no emissions solution for their home.“


Make the switch


Take the opportunity to test any existing older appliances and explore the possibilities for upgrades to cleaner energy. Electric methods of heating, such as electric


boilers, don’t require any annual services, unlike their gas counterparts. With the UK’s Official Climate Advisors having recommended that all gas boilers should be banned by 2033, switching across to electric is a good head start.


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