The Role of Electric Heating in Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Global warming is a significant problem that is jeopardising the future of our planet for future generations. Carbon dioxide (CO2), the most common greenhouse gas, works to trap the sun's heat, keep the earth warm and causing the temperature of the planet to rise. So far, CO2 has resulted in just under 1°C of global warming - a rise to 2°C is regarded by experts as dangerous or extremely dangerous.
In order to mitigate the effects of global warming, it is essential that people make a conscious effort to reduce their individual carbon footprints. This involves taking steps to change the way you drive, fly, and, most importantly, heat your home.
Twenty-seven per cent of all CO2 emitted in the UK comes from household energy use - electric heating is a solution critical in tackling the problem.
Installing Electric Heating
With the UK committed to reducing CO2 emissions by at least 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels, electricity will becoming an increasingly sought after source of low carbon energy. A 2011 report by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, entitled 'Future of Heating' highlighted this fact, saying: “Technologies that use electricity to generate heat are well placed to become major low carbon heating technologies in the coming decades.”
With the ability to produce electricity on British shores (allowing for continuous supply without fluctuating price) and with rapid advancements in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, wave and hydro, electric heating is the most obvious long-term solution for home heating needs.
The Benefits of Electric Heating
Like any heating solution, effective electric heating performance relies on a home being properly insulated to minimise heat loss with cavity wall and loft insulation. If this is the case, the benefits of an electric combi boiler or panel heaters are vast:
- Low safety risk as no fossil fuels are burned and no waste product is released.
- 100% efficiency - every unit of electricity is transformed into heat.
- Virtually maintenance free with few moving parts.
- Boilers last, on average, 50% longer than gas boilers - 15 years compared to 10 years.
- Fully controllable with thermostat controls built into panel heaters, allowing the user to accurately monitor temperature.
- No pipework or flue required, making installation quick and easy.
- No mandatory safety inspections.
- Radiators work as a standalone heating solutions; electric combi boilers allow for complete central heating system with control of wet system radiators.
- No restricted by planning permission.
- Panel heaters can be wall mounted or freestanding for a versatile heating solution.
With the future of the planet at risk, it is essential that we all work towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions - installing electric heating is a major step towards doing this.
