Posts

What is a Ground Source Heat Pump UK

Image
Ground Source Heat Pumps (Geothermal Heating) Explained A ground source heat pump also called "geothermal heating" uses the earth as a way to provide heating and cooling. The system can be used both in new construction and for retrofitting into existing buildings that have an available well near the building. How do ground source heat pumps work in the UK? In the UK, ground source heating systems work by using a network of pipes that are installed in trenches around your home. The system works as follows: Water is pumped from an underground well and flows throughout the buried piping loops via a heat exchanger where it picks up a large amount of heat energy from the surrounding earth. The water then flows through another heat exchanger inside your home's furnace where it heats your home during winter months or cools it during summer months depending on its position within the heating cycle. Then, after having picked up enough energy, the warm or cold water returns b...

What is the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme?

Image
Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme explained The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme is a government incentive scheme designed to encourage the use of renewable heat technologies. The RHI offers financial incentives for landlords and homeowners who install eligible systems, such as biomass boilers, solar thermal panels or ground source heat pumps. This blog post will answer some common questions about the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme, including eligibility requirements and current rates.   Who is eligible for RHI? The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme is open to homeowners, landlords and businesses. However, there are some criteria that must be met by the property owner or business seeking an RHI grant. For example, heating systems installed under the scheme must be registered with Ofgem within three months of completion for both domestic and non-domestic properties in order to receive payment from the government incentive fund (an exception may apply if a heat pump is installed at ...

Which boilers are most energy-efficient?

Image
What type of boiler is the most energy-efficient? There are many types of boilers for UK homes, and it can be difficult to determine which boiler is the most energy-efficient. A good way to compare a selection of boilers on a level playing field is to look at how they perform on a heat exchanger test. This is a rigorous test that tests how quickly the units give out heat from one pan of water to the other. In this instance, more efficient boilers will have less thermal losses, meaning they will take longer for boiling water in one pan to reach the other. The most efficient type of boiler is the condensing combi boiler. These boilers are fitted with an energy-saving condensing heat exchanger that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 8 million tonnes every year (GPTES, 2021). The high efficiency comes in part from increased pressure within the heating system which raises thermal efficiency. However, condensing boilers are the most expensive to install, costing roughly £270 m...

Smart Heating Controls

Image
Why Choose a Smart Thermostat? Smart thermostats are a new trend that allows you to control your heating on the go from your phone, tablet or other devices. They're touted as a great way to save cash, but they're not cheap – so whether one will save you money depends on how you use it and what type of home you have . What can smart thermostats do? Smart thermostats allow you to control your heating from a device that is not at home. It means that you can take charge of your heating from another location whether it's work or on the go. What's more, many smart thermostats let you programme in advance so you can set your heating so it starts to warm up before you get home from work. How are they different from standard thermostats? Traditional programmable thermostats and smart thermostats (also known as programmable thermostats with 'connected' or 'touch screen' displays) are both fitted the same way. The only difference is that smart thermostats can...

Uk Boiler Repair

Image
Boiler repair for central heating systems A defective boiler can cause major complications such as delayed installation, gas leaks, and increased power bills. It's important to maintain your boiler regularly (every two years) to make sure everything is running smoothly. Broken boilers should be repaired by a licensed and insured engineer. There are a number of reasons why you might need to repair your boilers : leaking pipes, clogged vents, and faulty valves or motors. You should never take on the job yourself (like clearing clogged vents), this could endanger the life of the people living in the building and cause significant damage to your boiler system. Boiler problems common boiler issues Boiler problems can vary, but here is a list of boiler faults that you may come across: Iron-based anode rod clogging. The anode rod in your boiler is used to prevent corrosion in the tank. However, if the water is corrosive, it will cause the rod to clog with rust and other debris. L...

The Gas Safe Register

Image
Why you should always choose a Gas Safe Registered engineer The Gas Safe Register is a public register of all gas engineers in the UK who are qualified to carry out work on domestic and commercial properties. This includes installation, maintenance, servicing, inspection and testing of gas appliances. The register was established by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 to provide consumers with confidence that they are employing safe registered technicians when they use natural gas for heating or cooking. The HSE oversees this process which is done through periodic registration checks, at least once every five years for individual engineers. The inspections also include checking qualifications held by each engineer against their entry on the register. If any changes have occurred since their last registration check then these must be recorded on their Gas Safe Register record. Each year they publish a report that is pub...

How to get the best boiler installation

Image
Thinking of getting your boiler replaced: Guide to getting a new boiler installed The boiler is the heart of your central heating system. There are many different types of boilers from combi boilers, condensing boilers or even solar panels all of which have different features that may suit a specific property better than another depending on factors such as fuel type, power usage and technology used. In this article we will look at how to get the best boiler installation by looking at what information you need to help you choose the right boiler for you and who can provide the best boiler installation based upon quotes provided.   Boiler Installation Quotes Getting a boiler installation quote can be a little bit of an awkward process. You want to get the best value for your money, but you also need something that is going to provide you and your family with the heating they require. In order to find a boiler that will meet these requirements you are going to have talk through...