What is low carbon heating?
Home heating throughout the UK is usually achieved through the use of fossil-fuelled gas and oil boilers - low carbon heating does not rely on fossil fuels and instead uses renewable technology.
These technologies include the likes of air and ground source heat pumps, solar water heating, biomass, and more. By replacing existing boilers with systems that utilise these natural, renewable heat sources, we can reduce the carbon emissions produced by each household.
How much does heating contribute to UK carbon emissions?
Home heating comprises about 14% of the UK’s overall carbon emissions, so is certainly something that needs to be overhauled, along with areas like our reliance on petrol and diesel cars, if the UK is to meet its target of achieving net zero by 2050.
How do home heating systems add to our carbon footprint?
Many home heating systems and boilers are still reliant on gas and oil, which are two of the fuels that produce the most carbon emissions when we source them. In order to bring those emissions down and eradicate them completely, therefore, we need to begin to implement green heating systems and solutions across the country.
What are some low-carbon heating solutions for the UK in 2025 and beyond?
As the UK intensifies efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the adoption of low-carbon heating technologies is becoming increasingly essential. Here are some of the leading solutions available:
Air source heat pumps
Air source heat pumps extract heat from the outside air to provide heating and hot water for your home. They are highly efficient and can operate even in low temperatures. The UK government aims to install 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028, making them a cornerstone of the nation's low-carbon heating strategy.
Ground source heat pumps
Ground source heat pumps utilise the stable temperatures underground to heat your home. While they require more extensive installation, they offer higher efficiency and are suitable for properties with sufficient land.
Solar water heating
Solar water heating uses the sun’s energy (collected via solar panels) to heat water in a hot water cylinder that can then be used as hot water or as heating via radiators. Those with solar water heating will therefore get hot water consistently throughout the year, though in the winter months when there’s less sunlight, an immersion heater might be required to top things up.
You’ll need to think about whether your roof is likely to get enough sunlight to make investing in a solar water heating system financially worthwhile, as well as being able to meet that initial cost.
Heat networks (district heating)
Heat networks distribute heat from a central source to multiple buildings. The UK government has invested £57 million in projects connecting thousands of homes to low-carbon heat networks powered by heat pumps, supporting sustainable urban regeneration.
Electric infrared heating panels
Innovative solutions like electric infrared 'wallpaper' provide efficient heating by emitting infrared radiation, warming objects and people directly. This technology can heat rooms quickly and may reduce energy consumption.
Can you get government funding for a more eco-friendly heating system?
With increased focus on the climate crisis, the government has put more emphasis on a range of measures that include offering grants for various home energy efficiency improvements. For instance, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. which replaces the Renewable Heat incentive, offers grants to those who install systems like air or ground source heat pumps, which could be well worth exploring as we move towards a carbon-free future.
FAQs
Is underfloor heating a low carbon measure?
Underfloor heating is often thought of as a luxurious addition to a home, and in many cases it can be a low carbon heating measure.
If it’s a “dry” system using electrical wires, you’ll have to use electricity for it to work, while a “wet” system raises the temperature of water flowing through pipes under the floor to heat it.
However, it all depends on the source of the energy used to heat the wires and the water - especially with a water-based system - and you’ll need to take into account the increased time it takes to heat a room using underfloor heating rather than radiators, too.
Is the Green Homes Grant still available?
The Green Homes Grant, which was designed to help households make savings on the installation of energy-efficient measures such as insulation, is no longer available - it was beset with issues around the application and installation processes, so the decision was made to cancel it in March 2021, around six months after it opened.
What will replace gas boilers?
There’s an emphasis on replacing inefficient gas boilers with low-emission systems like air and ground source heat pumps and solar water heating. To this end, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will offer homeowners £5,000 towards the installation of an air source heat pump and £6,000 towards the installation of a ground source heat pump. Those in rural areas could receive £5,000 towards the cost of a biomass boiler.
