Moving away from burning fossil fuels at home.
By JONATHEN HINDRY
The world around us is changing at a fast pace. The way we consume or use energy is changing with more people stoping to think about the way we use things in our home to generate hot water or heat. A very hot topic discussed today is the all electric home. No gas connection, No gas bottles and no Diesel or Oil Boilers (If you have a diesel or oil boiler we need to chat). Just electricity!
In 2015, Sweden’s prime minister announced his country will work towards becoming “one of the first fossil fuel-free welfare states of the world,” in a speech to the UN General Assembly.
Why wouldn't we want to burn fossil fuels in our home?
As a home owner there are a number of reasons why we would to look to not use fossil fuel burning appliances in the home. Below is an overview of some of the most common reasons we hear:
- Save money – Moving to an all electric home means one less bill and one less supply or connection charge to pay. Therefore saving you money!
- Using on site electrical generation – With the increased development of solar PV and battery storage creating and using you own onsite electricity is very possible. Coupled with highly efficient electrical appliances the need for grid supplied power or the use of other fuel sources is minimised.
- Environmental reasons – Fossil fuel extraction can be messy. The less fossil fuels we use in the home the more can stay in the ground.
- Safety – While gas applaicnces in themselves are safe appliances if they are left unserviced for to long dangerous conditions can occur. A few issues can be a fire starting due to open flames, Carbon monoxide can also occur due to incomplete combustion or inadequate ventilation.
What options do I have for my home?
Moving away from burning fossil fuels in your home can be much easier in this day and age due to access to very efficient electrical appliances. Below is a list of options to consider in your home:
- Ducted heating – This can come in a few different forms from the traditional form of reverse cycle air conditioning to the very efficient geoexchange ducted heating.
- Hydronic radiator panels – Traditionally hydronic radiator panels where designed and installed to run on gas, oil or diesel boilers. With the further development of air to water heat pumps and the very high efficiency of a geoexchange heat pump running your hydronic radiator system on a heat source that uses electricity is a real option.
- Hydronic Infloor Heating – Due to the lower flow temperatures required for the water circulating through a hydronic infloor heating system air to water and geoexchange heat pumps become very efficient and if designed and installed properly can use very little energy.
- Hot Water – The options available today for hot water are vast but if using electricity the best choices are either a good quality air to water heat pump or a geoexchange heat pump.
Time for a change?
In conclusion turning your home in to an all electric home is a very good option and is very possible to achieve. We are more than happy to take a look at your home and the hot water and heating appliances and discuss your options to reduce your connections/ reliance to the grid/ gas supplier.