Energy in most homes usually comes from one of two sources: electricity or gas. Most homes in Wirral are heated using a gas boiler, which pipes hot water throughout the home to provide heat through radiators. Most home appliances are operated through electricity, which can be used to heat (like an electric stove), cool (like a fridge), illuminate (like a lamp), or move (like a laundry machine’s spin cycle). The efficiency of energy in the home can be improved by using energy by generating energy through a more efficient source or using the energy that is produced more efficiently.
Solar panels and battery storage
Solar energy systems take energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. This electricity is then used to power a home or, if the power is not needed, it is sold into the national electricity grid. Solar panel systems can still work in cloudy conditions, though may not generate as much electricity. Solar panels do not generate electricity at night. Solar panels are also not suitable for all home types, as the position and condition of the roof and nearby shading may impact their efficiency.
A home battery system enables a homeowner to store any electricity they did not use while it was generated for later use. Solar panels generate most of their electricity during the day, when power use is not always very high. In homes with a home battery system, the power generated by the solar panels can be stored in the batteries and used later.
Read more information about solar panels and planning permission.
Heat pumps
Heat pumps use electricity and a refrigerant to move heat from one area to another. They work like a fridge; except, instead of moving heat out of the fridge into a home, they move heat from an outside source into the home. Most heat pumps installed in homes are air-source heat pumps, which use electricity to draw heat in from the outside air and then use that heat to warm a hot water tank. Heat pumps can draw heat from outside in temperatures as low as -25˚ Celsius, but do not produce heat as warm as the typical gas boiler. This means that a home with a heat pump will need to run the heat pump for longer periods in cool weather to keep the home warm.
Heat pumps are not suitable for all homes; for example, homes with poor insulation or with no outdoor space in which to install the heat pump.
Electric storage heaters
Electric heaters are common in some home types, mostly in flats. They function like a radiator, but instead of heating a home using hot water, electric heaters use electricity to generate heat. Electric storage heaters are like these heaters, but they also can store heat for later use. Overnight, storage heaters take in electricity from the power grid, and then they release the stored heat during the day, warming the home. Residents on a two-rate tariff, who pay less for electricity at night, may benefit from storage heaters because they can use their electricity at night when its cost is lower. However, storage heaters are not appropriate for all homes, as specific factors, such as the number of rooms in the home, how well the home is insulated, and the type of electricity tariff the home pays for will all affect whether storage heaters would be beneficial.
Gas boiler efficiency
Most homes on the Wirral use gas boilers for hot water and home heating. Especially in winter, boilers are a significant user of water and gas. Newer boilers heat water more efficiently than older boilers, reducing the amount of money spent to heat your boiler, though not necessarily reducing the amount of water you use. The Energy Saving Trust highlights that a new boiler can save anywhere from £150 to £500 per year on gas, depending on your previous boiler, home size, and water use.
There are also ways your existing boiler can be made more efficient. For example, a boiler can be insulated to reduce heat loss through its tank and piping, or have a chemical inhibitor installed into its tank to reduce the build-up of scale in the system, which may help it last longer and cycle energy more efficiently. However, what specifically will work best in your home will vary depending on your boiler and heating situation - speak to a trusted gas engineer to help you make decisions about how to improve your home heating system.