Eco Friendly Heating Systems – What Are Your Options?
If you’re hoping to make your home a little more eco friendly then how you choose to heat your home will play a big part in this. The good news is that there are plenty of eco friendly heating systems available to suit different properties. In order to give you an idea of the options you may have available to you, take a look at the following guide on the most eco friendly heating systems available right now.
Underfloor heating
Underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular in modern homes, however we’re not at all surprised when you look at the benefits. Underfloor heating works by effectively turning the floor into a giant (albeit far more energy efficient) radiator. Unlike traditional radiators that create hold and cold spots, underfloor heating circulates heat evenly around your home creating a far more comfortable environment. The reason it’s such an eco friendly heating system is because the water that’s used to create heat in the heating pipes, only needs to be heated to a safe surface temperature between 25- 40°C. When you compare this to conventional radiators that can be as hot as 75°C, you can see how this eco friendly heating system is a lot more energy efficient.
Air to water heat pumps
Air to water heat pumps supply heat to your home (and can be used as a heat source for underfloor heating) by transforming energy from the outside air into usable heat. Using a refrigeration process and vapour compression cycle, an air to water heat pump extracts heat energy from the outside air and uses it to create usable heat for the home. Whilst standard boilers need to operate at high temperatures, an air to water heat pump can extract heat from the air when the temperature is as low as -15°C. At Pipelife Eco we offer both split and monobloc heat pumps. To find out more about each of these eco friendly heating systems, take a look at our previous article on ‘Split Vs Monobloc Heat Pumps – What’s The Difference?’.
Energy Efficient Aluminium Radiators
Energy efficient aluminium radiators are highly responsive, meaning they spread heat evenly throughout the home, unlike traditional radiators that create hot and cold spots. The reason they are sometimes referred to as ‘low temperature radiators’ is because the water supply only needs to be between 30-55°C. Traditional radiators on the other hand, require the water temperature to be as high as 70-80°C. This makes energy efficient aluminium radiators a much more eco friendly heating system than traditional radiators, particularly when combined with an underfloor heating system.
Heat recovery unit 
If you’ve not heard of heat recovery ventilation before, allow us to explain briefly. With the aim of recovering heat from extract air that would otherwise have gone to waste, a heat recovery system recovers stale air from wet rooms in the house (kitchen, bathroom etc.), filters it, and transfers it as clean air to the rest of the property. Not only does this prevent energy from being wasted, it also promotes balanced air ventilation within the home to improve indoor air quality.
Smart heating controls
Smart heating controls are popular for the ease and convenience they provide, however they also act as an eco friendly heating system. The beauty of smart controls is that you can control your heating from your smartphone, meaning you don’t need to be in the house to turn your heating on/ off or to adjust the temperature. This prevents energy wastage, by allowing you to turn the heating on only when it’s required. Smart heating controls also allow you to control the temperature of each room individually, rather than heating the entire house when it’s not required. This gives you greater control over your heating, allowing you to save energy as well as money.
To hear more about the eco friendly heating systems we have available at Pipelife Eco, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.