According to Free, (Future of Rural Energy in Europe), 11 million people live in rural areas across the UK, with 15% of the population in off-grid homes. That’s a significant amount of households that don’t have access to the mains gas grid and have to look for alternative fuel sources to provide heating and hot water.
Historically, homes in the UK that were not connected to the grid used a variety of heating methods - here we’re going to take a look at these, as well as more recent options such as renewable fuel sources, and consider the pros and cons of each.
Solid Fuel
Coal, wood, and even peat were commonly used in homes in the UK before the 20th century to provide heating and hot water. Open fireplaces with built-in back boilers and more recently, wood-burning stoves have been a popular and traditional choice for off-grid heating.
- Pros: Open fires can bring both warmth and ambiance, making your room feel cozy, and providing a warm glow, adding a focal point to your room They increase airflow around the house, using large amounts of oxygen and reducing dampness by drying out the air. In modern times, they’re usually used as a back-up to other methods as there are no complicated parts to maintain so are reliable.
- Cons: Open fires are not the most efficient way to heat your home as much of the heat disappears up the chimney. Plus burning wood produces particulate emissions – not great for the environment. If you’re in a Smoke Control Area, your choice of fuels will be restricted. Only fuels on the list of authorised fuels published by DEFRA, or smokeless fuels, can be burned – and heavy fines exist for burning unauthorised fuel in a smoke control area.
Electric Heating
Electric heating has become increasingly popular over recent years – according to the Energy Saving Trust, recent housing conditions surveys estimate that around 7% of households across England heat their homes using electricity. It is widely available, even in the vast majority of off-grid homes where there is no access to natural gas. There are many different types of electric heating, which include electric boilers and storage heaters, fires and underfloor heating.
- Pros: On-demand, low-carbon heating, with no requirement to store fuel, which can come with programmable thermostats or smart controls to allow precise temperature control in individual rooms. Electric heating is very efficient, is a low capital cost, and easy to install, and requires very little maintenance.
- Cons: Electrical appliances can be expensive to run, especially in larger properties. In addition, some types of electric heating, such as storage heaters, can be slow to heat up.
Heating oil
Domestic heating oil is a popular choice for off-grid households located in rural parts of the country. It’s delivered by wagon, stored in a tank located on the property, and provides consistent on-demand heating.
- Pros: Being a highly efficient and cost-effective fuel, heating oil can warm up your home quickly and keep it snug and cozy even in the coldest weather. Modern condensing boilers are very efficient and reliable, providing on-demand heating.
- Cons: Heating oil prices are very volatile, being closely linked to crude oil prices as well as geopolitical factors, weather patterns and supply and demand. Knowing when is the best time to top up your tank can be a challenge. Then there is always the chance that your tank might run dry, although suppliers often provide an automatic refilling service, guaranteeing continuous supply. Heating oil is less environmentally friendly than some other fuel sources, but the great news is that greener and greener renewable fuels such as HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) are on their way which reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% when compared to standard domestic heating oil.
LPG
Another popular choice for heating off-grid homes, LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) is the closest alternative to mains gas. Like home heating oil, LPG is derived from fossil fuels, and is delivered by wagon and stored in either an above-ground or below-ground tank on your property.
- Pros: Highly cost-effective, and versatile. LPG can be used for heating, hot water, cooking and even for fueling appliances such as gas fires. It’s a low-emission, colourless gas that produces fewer pollutants and virtually no particulate matter. And it's virtually impossible to steal.
- Cons: LPG boilers are significantly more costly than heating oil boilers and LPG storage tanks take up space on your property, although underground tanks can be a good option and protect the aesthetics of your garden too. However, LPG storage tanks do need to be located in accordance with strict LPG tank installation regulations. LPG users need to monitor their tank levels to avoid running out, although as with heating oil, suppliers often provide an automatic refilling service.
Heat Pumps
Whilst the outgoing Conservative government was championing heat pumps, the incoming new Labour government has yet to set out its plans. However, heat pumps, which work by transferring heat from the air, ground or water to heat your home, and do require electricity to power then, whilst environmentally friendly, are not suitable for every property.
- Pros: Heat pumps have a dual function. Not only do they heat your home, but they also provide cooling in the warm summer months. They work well for well-insulated new build properties and homes with underfloor heating throughout. Operational costs are low when compared to more traditional fuels, and they require minimal maintenance.
- Cons: Installation costs are high, and can vary from £7,000 to £19,000 or more, depending on your property, although some homes may be eligible for Government grants. Heat pumps are efficient, but as they run on electricity, your electric bill will go up. They are less efficient during cold spells, and often require extensive home modifications such as improved insulation, and bigger radiators to produce the same amount of heat as more traditional fuels.
Solar
Solar power works by converting energy, electricity and heat, from the sun into power. A renewable energy source, it produces no harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
- Pros: once installed, solar energy systems require minimal maintenance, and are reliable. Energy generated can be stored in solar batteries to provide the electricity you need to power your home, cutting your electricity costs, providing energy independence and reducing your carbon footprint.
- Cons: Installation costs can be substantial, and a considerable investment for any home owners. Solar panels rely on sunlight so on cloudy days are less effective. And then there’s the aesthetics – many people don’t like how the panels look on their roof.
While heating options for off-grid homes are clearly varied, according to Free, 55% of off-grid homes in the UK are heating their homes with domestic heating oil, and just 10% with LPG. But more and more people are now turning to LPG as a greener, more versatile way to heat their homes. And with the development of renewable liquid gases such as BioLPG and rDME, both drop-in solutions and chemically identical to traditional LPG, the future for heating off-grid homes with LPG is looking bright!
If you’re considering converting to LPG, we’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Call us on 01423 772 789 or click here to get a quote.