A split system heat pump uses separate indoor and outdoor units connected by refrigerant pipework. That sounds simple, but the term is often confused with mini-split air conditioning and with standard air-to-water heat pumps used for radiators and hot water. For UK homeowners, the useful comparison is usually split versus monobloc for air-to-water heating, and Read more »
Dimplex Portland 23 Inch Optiflame Electric Stove Heater is our top pick for anyone seeking a traditional fireplace look with modern heating efficiency. It combines authentic flame effects with a straightforward operating system that works instantly. This unit delivers impressive visual appeal without the complexity of a real fire. Whether you live in a flat Read more »
Underfloor heating works best when it is designed as part of the room, not added as an afterthought. The floor becomes the heat emitter, which means comfort, running cost and response time all depend on the floor build-up, insulation, pipe or cable layout, controls and the heat source behind it. In a new build, extension Read more »
Energy storage is the process of capturing energy after its production and keeping for later use. Depending on the method and technology, the storage process might involve converting the energy from one particular form that is difficult and or uneconomical to store to another much easier form that is cheaper to store. Additionally, some methods Read more »
Combined heat and power is a unique method to generate electricity and heat using a single fuel source. This method has a low carbon emission footprint compared to the traditional methods of generating heating and electricity, which also results in a comparatively lower energy cost. Key Takeaways CHP technology uses a single fuel source, often Read more »
Microgeneration is the idea of producing some of the energy a home or small building uses, rather than relying entirely on electricity from the grid or heat from fossil fuels. For UK homeowners, it usually means technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps, solar thermal, biomass, small wind, hydro or micro-CHP. The appeal is obvious: Read more »
A heat recovery system ventilates a building while reducing the heat lost with outgoing stale air. In homes, the most common version is mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, or MVHR, which extracts humid air from kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms while supplying filtered fresh air to living spaces and bedrooms. MVHR can be excellent in Read more »
A renewable heating system offers a lot of benefits to both residential and commercial properties. From a clear energy balance to long-term savings, there are countless advantages of using a renewable heating system. There are two types of heating system that is prevalent in the UK: Air source heat pump (ASHP) Ground source heat pump Read more »
The ground array is the part of a ground source heat pump system that quietly decides whether the whole installation performs well. It is the buried pipework that collects heat from the ground and carries it back to the heat pump. If it is too small, badly spaced, poorly installed or placed in unsuitable ground, Read more »
Central heating is one of the most significant systems in any UK home — and one of the least understood until something goes wrong. Whether you’re comparing boiler types before a replacement, trying to work out why some radiators heat up and others don’t, or weighing up heat pumps against gas, the fundamentals are the Read more »
