Insidethis issue 3 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025 VOLUME 62 ISSUE 10 Editor’s
Viewpoint by Chris Jones
The start of a journey
Whatever your views on the need to transition away from fossil fuel boilers to cleaner energy solutions, there is no point in denying that the market is set on that course and there’s very little prospect of a reversal in direction. Despite hopes that hydrogen might meet some of the UK’s energy needs, there is broad political consensus that the widespread use of electric heating, ideally produced via renewable energy, represents a low carbon and more secure means of providing our homes with heat and hot water. However, such a dramatic transformation of our domestic heating sector comes at a signifi cant cost and, at a time when most household budgets are constrained by the cost of living, it’s a burden that very few of us can aff ord. The government’s willingness to plough more money into providing
grants and incentives to persuade consumers to switch to a heat pump recognises that very few are likely to make such a purchase without fi nancial assistance, but of course we’re all paying for this generosity via our tax contributions to the public purse. If there’s a way to reduce such costs and disruption, then surely it deserves serious consideration and many would argue that a hybrid heating system – adding a heat pump to an existing gas or oil system – delivers such a solution. Baxi has recently commissioned a study that looks at the potential
for the wider use of hybrid systems in the UK (see page 4). The report highlights their more extensive use in other European markets such as the Netherlands and uses real-life case studies to provide performance monitoring and projected carbon savings. As well as being less costly and less disruptive to the homeowner (allowing existing pipework and radiators to be retained), the report points out that the ability to switch from electric to another fuel source would also put less strain on the grid at times of peak demand. It concludes that hybrid systems could play a signifi cant part in the government’s net zero strategy, enabling properties to reduce their carbon emissions when it would be technically challenging to fi t a stand- alone heat pump. It may not represent the end of that household’s low carbon journey, but it’s certainly a good start.
Special Features Water
25
Heating & Cylinders
How hot water storage can provide households with a way to conserve green energy
Regulars
04 News Review 10 Horror Show 10 People on the Move 11 Gadgets & Tools 12 Energy Matters 13 Letters 15 Energy Saving Awards 24 Merchant News 40 Products in Action
12 Energy Matters
41 Product News 42 Competition 43 Directory 43 Information Centre
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Consumer views on green energy 31
Training & Education
Dispelling some of the myths surrounding apprenticeships and an overview of the latest courses
37
Underfl oor Heating
Why underfl oor heating represents a good solution for customers who want to future-proof their homes
Contributors
Pete Armstrong Water Heating & Cylinders
28
The installation of smart cylinders can help to save energy costs and reduce carbon emissions
Mark Krull Training & Education
31
How modern apprenticeships can help businesses to upskill their workforce and prepare for the future
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Managing Editor Chris Jones Assistant Editor Carol Hitchcock Consultant Publisher Chris Evans Southern Advertisement Manager Nathan Wood Production Paul Forster Design Consultant Tim Plummer
Chris Stammers Underfl oor Heating
37
Why underfl oor heating is in demand as the market transitions to low temperature heating solutions
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