Best Heating Systems: How to Choose the Right One for Your Home
As we head into the colder months, heating your home becomes essential to keep the winter weather outside, and there are many ways it can be done.
Deciding on the right heating system for your home and lifestyle will help you to keep cosy whilst saving money, so it is worth taking the time to consider in detail if you are looking into an update.
We have put together an introductory guide on what to consider to ensure you pick the best heating system for your needs.
Types of heating system
There are many different types of heating systems on the market that use different fuel sources:
- Gas
- Oil
- LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas)
- Electric
- Renewable
Currently, gas is the most common type of fuel source for heating systems in the UK and is also the cheapest. However, with sustainability and environmental impact becoming an increasingly important factor in many homeowners’ decision-making, we will likely see this change in the coming years.
Other factors might impact which type of heating system fuel source you choose.
If you are thinking about upgrading your boiler, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme could help foot the bill.
What is the best heating system for a home without gas?
As many as 4.4 million homes in the UK are not connected to the gas grid, meaning these households need to use alternative heating systems for warmth.
While there are various alternatives to the most common gas heating systems, they each have different prices, accessibility, and environmental impact so it’s important to consider which is most suitable for your needs.
Oil boilers
Oil boilers offer a similar heating process to gas, burning oil to heat your home and water. This is an accessible source for many and can even be a more efficient alternative to gas.
However, oil is increasingly expensive in the UK and is also a fossil fuel, giving it a high environmental impact. You will also need enough space for an oil tank.
Liquid Petroleum Gas
LPG heating systems require more space than gas and oil boilers due to the fact that despite the boiler being relatively compact, you will need somewhere to store the LPG itself. While LPG boilers are often more affordable than their oil counterparts, it is likely to cost more than oil and gas overall due to the cost of the fuel itself.
Electric heating systems
Electric heating systems aren’t really ideal for larger households as the cost can quickly rack up, but they make a great alternative to gas for smaller dwellings. For those who are more eco-minded, electric boilers will have a reduced impact on the planet as they don’t create any emissions and they are also conveniently quiet.
Those who invest in an electric heating system should, however, be prepared for the cost of an electric heating system which is higher than the three previously mentioned.
Choosing the right heating system
All these alternatives to the common gas heating system offer a variety of pros and cons, and this can make it hard to know which is truly the right fit for your home. If you are looking to update your heating system, there are some things you should consider before you make a decision:
- The size of your home
- The size of your outdoor space (for LPG)
- Your initial budget for initial purchase and set up
- Your ongoing budget for use of your heating system over time
A large home with plenty of outdoor space will have different heating requirements than a small home with no outdoor space, and your budget both in the short and long term will influence which system is right for you.
Take the time to consider these in detail, so you know exactly what your requirements are and you are better prepared to choose a heating system that is a great fit for your home.
Update your heating system with Warmaway
Making a big change like updating your heating system can seem daunting, but it needn’t be. At Warmaway, we don’t just offer great quality equipment, but we can also offer you expert advice to help you make the right choice.
Not only that, we’ll also get your new equipment installed and running, making the process of updating your heating system as streamlined and stress free as possible.
Get in touch today or check out or new boiler page to see what we offer.
