With the UK Government’s recent plans to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 and upcoming plans to decarbonise rural off-grid homes and businesses in the UK, it’s important to consider how we can do our part when it comes to our off-grid heating.
As more rural homeowners consider eco-friendly products for the home, cleaner fuel options can have a big impact on your emissions and are a great place to start when it comes to future proofing your home.
Energy efficient home improvements – switching from oil to LPG
If your rural home is currently being heated by oil, it’s worth looking at what other fuel options you could use that are better for the environment. LPG is a great option to consider and the first step in selecting a fuel source that can help you to lower your carbon emissions.
LPG or Liquid Petroleum Gas is a colourless, low carbon and highly efficient fuel which is usually collected as a by-product of the crude oil refinery process.
If you’re looking to switch to a more sustainable fuel, LPG is collected as a bi-product of the crude oil refinery process meaning that it’s a lower carbon alternative to fuels such as oil. In fact, LPG could reduce your carbon emissions by up to 16% compared to oil*.
In addition, a new LPG boiler could also help you to save an average of £800 versus a new or replacement oil boiler**, meaning you may be able to save money whilst reducing your carbon emissions.
LPG is also a more versatile fuel than oil. It can be used for cooking appliances as well as for central heating and water, which is much more convenient than having a separate fuel just to power those appliances.
If you’re considering making any energy efficient home improvements, such as switching to LPG, Calor’s hassle-free switching process makes it simple and can be done in just a few easy steps.
To discuss switching to LPG, you can get in touch with us on 0808 271 3929 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday) or request a call back by leaving your details in the form here: www.calor.co.uk/home-energy/using-lpg/lpg-switch-enquiry
BioLPG
If you want to go a step further in creating an eco friendly home, why not consider BioLPG? BioLPG can reduce carbon emissions by up to a further 15% compared to standard LPG and 38% compared to oil*.
Made from a blend of waste, residues and sustainably sourced materials, BioLPG works in the same way as LPG, so switching costs aren’t a problem and you can keep the same tank and LPG boiler too.
Hybrid systems
An increasingly popular option for future proofing your home is having a hybrid heating system. If you are able to switch to an LPG boiler for example, you could also consider installing a heat pump alongside this to help you to lower your carbon emissions and make greater energy savings.
Many people are adopting a hybrid approach, which allows you to use dual energy sources and better balance the efficiency of your home with your environmental impact.
It’s worth noting that heat pumps generally require good levels of home insulation to heat effectively and some rural homes are harder to insulate, which is why it can be a great option to pair a heat pump with an LPG or BioLPG boiler.
There are three main types of heat pump; air, ground and water source. Air source heat pumps are the most popular in homes and they work by taking heat from the air and boosting it to a higher temperature using a compressor. It then transfers the heat to the heating system in your home. Heat pumps are run on electricity but use less electrical energy than the amount of heat it produces.
Another added bonus of using a heat pump with your boiler is that you could actually receive payments from the Government if you are using a renewable energy source through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which aims to encourage homeowners to invest in renewable energy sources.****
The UK is still working on becoming more energy efficient and working towards the Government’s carbon neutral goal, but there are more options appearing all the time that will give you the opportunity to protect your home for the future. So, whether that’s through switching to lower carbon fuels such as LPG or BioLPG, or upgrading to a hybrid system, it can all make a big difference to your impact on the environment.
If you are looking to switch fuel, then head to our website for more information about your energy options: https://www.calor.co.uk/home-energy/using-lpg/switching-lpg-suppliers
Sources
*https://www.calor.co.uk/home-energy/new-to-lpg/switch-from-oil
** Average boiler savings based on a comparison, conducted by Calor, between LPG boilers and their oil equivalent. Comparative Pricing, 2019.
*** https://www.calor.co.uk/biolpg
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