‘I’m spending £1,000 a month to heat my home – is a heat pump the answer?’
Net zero transformation: our reader's residence possesses one of the most abysmal energy ratings conceivable, despite being equipped with an electric boiler.
Are you interested in participating in a complimentary makeover for your net-zero home? Send an email to [email protected] with the headline: "Grant me a home makeover".
As this damp and drizzly summer draws to a close, British homes will soon be adjusting their heating.
Indeed, it is a fact that energy expenses have decreased since reaching their highest point earlier this year. According to Cornwall Insight, an analysis firm, it is projected that the typical household will spend £1,959 annually on their electricity bills. However, for Juliette Morgan, this sum would not even cover her expenses for a mere two months.
When Ms Morgan purchased her residence in Somerset three years ago, she was delighted to discover that it relied solely on renewable energy. This was made possible by her electric boiler, unlike the surrounding properties that still rely on heating oil. The Government aims to gradually eliminate the use of heating oil starting in 2026.
However, purportedly more environmentally-friendly energy comes with a cost, and during the winter season, Ms. Morgan's heating expenses amount to £1,000 per month. The advisor's residence consists of walls and floors made of stone, which require an extended period to warm up and are notorious for being costly to insulate adequately.
"I believed I was making a responsible choice by utilizing sustainable energy sources, but the cost of my winter energy bill has turned out to be surprisingly exorbitant," she expresses. "I have a hunch that I might need to upgrade my windows and doors, as well as install solar panels. However, I find myself pondering where exactly to begin and how to finance these changes."
It's not really a surprise that Ms Morgan's house has an extremely poor energy rating. In fact, her home has an EPC rating of F, which is just one step above the lowest rank possible. However, the initial expenses she would have to bear in order to improve her energy rating and reduce her bills could be incredibly high. This is particularly intimidating considering Ms Morgan's single status.
"It seems as though I'm caught in a dilemma of choosing between exorbitant utility bills or excessive financial expenses, which are unaffordable for individuals living alone," remarks Ms. Morgan. "I believe I will eventually have to install new windows and consider replacing the boiler, but the total cost for both amounts to approximately £45,000, and it is challenging to finance such a hefty sum on my own during these economic conditions."
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Ms Morgan owns a strong sandstone structure located in the center of Somerset, which was constructed before 1900. Such a wall composition is widespread in the region and measures roughly 400mm in thickness. To give you an idea, this thickness has the same insulating effectiveness as a mere 15mm of Rockwool.
When comparing, for a new house to comply with building regulations in the UK, it requires approximately 150-200mm of Rockwool. Although the walls of such houses are thick, they may take more time to warm up since the sandstone material absorbs a significant amount of heat due to its thermal mass. Consequently, the boiler may need to work harder in the beginning to achieve the desired temperature inside the house.
Installing insulation on the inside of walls is a more cost-effective option (although it requires more work) compared to applying it externally, and is a recommended approach. Additionally, you have the flexibility to do it room by room. By using Celotex with a low thermal transmittance value, you can achieve the same level of insulation as double the wall thickness, without losing too much space. The average cost typically ranges from £4,000 to £14,000, depending on the number of external walls. This insulation method can potentially save you around £600 per year on energy bills and improve your EPC rating by approximately 12 points.
The majority of the windows were made of wood and had only one layer of glass, without any measures to prevent drafts. As a consequence, a significant amount of heat was escaping. It is advisable to swap these windows for UPVC windows with two layers of glass in order to retain heat and keep the cold air outside.
The typical expense of exchanging these windows ranges from £3,300 to £6,500, resulting in a yearly gain of £628 and boosting the Energy Performance Certificate by 7 Points.
The area under the roof has been transformed and now serves as a livable space. It has been properly insulated using Celotex, which is visible within the wooden beams.
Because the location lacks access to gas supply, there are minimal options for effectively warming the property.
The preferred heating system consisted of radiators powered by a "direct-acting" electric boiler. These boilers are specifically designed to warm the recirculated water utilized in the wet central heating system. Without the need for a flue or fuel tank, they boast an impressive efficiency rate of 99.9 percent.
Ms Morgan could consider opting for an air source heat pump as another viable option. This system offers higher efficiency compared to the electric boiler currently in place, potentially resulting in long-term savings on energy expenses. The installation cost for this alternative typically ranges from £7,000 to £13,000.
This building obtained an EPC score of F-35. Should it be offered for rent, it would fail to meet the required level of energy efficiency set for privately rented homes.
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The residence of Ms. Morgan features sturdy stone walls and floors that effectively retain and retain warmth. These types of houses require a longer time to reach the desired temperature, but they often maintain a comfortable environment for a few days even without using heating systems.
The electric boiler at the property operates directly and efficiently at 100 percent but lacks the ability to save energy. Thus, it is unable to benefit from discounted rates during off-peak hours. On the other hand, a heat pump can achieve efficiencies exceeding 300 percent, making it a more advantageous choice.
Ms Morgan’s annual heating requirement is 18,195 kilowatt-hours. When we compare this energy consumption with the maximum price limit of 30 pence per kilowatt-hour, it would cost £5,458 to heat her home with an electric boiler. However, if she were to use a heat pump with a seasonal efficiency of 300 percent, her heating costs would be reduced to £1,819 per year. This would result in an annual saving of £3,639 and a total lifetime saving of £54,585 over a span of 15 years for heating her home.
By investing £14,000 in a high-temperature heat pump, along with upgraded radiators and a new hot water cylinder, the return on investment for this home would be achieved in less than four years. It is important to mention, however, that this estimate is based on the average number of residents. Nevertheless, this property consumes significantly less electricity, approximately 12,147kWh per year.
It is crucial to evaluate and determine the ventilation simultaneously to minimize any potential moisture harm to the house. According to Ms. Morgan, the flagstone flooring perspires – when this moisture is released, it must be permitted to exit the structure. Therefore, it is important to take this into account when enhancing the windows.
Including a solar panel setup can additionally assist in reducing energy costs, with an eight-panel 3.2kW system positioned on the roof facing the south, capable of producing 2992kWh annually.
Coupled with the heat pump's battery and solar enhanced controls, it is estimated that this will result in an annual saving of £821. The system, which carries a price tag of approximately £11,000, is expected to deliver a return on investment in less than a decade.
The complete remedy will decrease the residence's carbon footprints from 10 metric tons to 2.1 metric tons annually and is also expected to significantly enhance the property's EPC evaluation.
Are you interested in participating in a cost-free home renovation with zero net energy usage? Drop an email to [email protected] indicating your enthusiasm with the subject line: "Grant me a home makeover."
