Renewable energy sources:

 

1.    Ground Source Heat pumps

 

Ground source heat pumps are buried underground and use a combination of water and antifreeze to absorb heat from the ground and circulate it through a heat exchanger and into the heat pump.

Benefits:

Lowers energy bills as once it is installed, it functions mostly without electricity.

Can heat both home and water.

Challenges:

The installation can be difficult depending on the individual project.

In winter they may need to be used constantly in order to heat the home efficiently.

 

2.    Air Source Heat Pumps

 

Air source heat pumps extract heat from the outside air to heat the home. They can be used even in freezing temperatures, however do require a small amount of electricity.

There are two types of air source heat pumps:

Air to Air:

This system produces warm air that is circulated by fans in your home.

Air to Water:

This system distributes heat through a wet central heating system, heating both the home and your water.

Benefits:

Lowers energy bills as once it is installed, it functions mainly without electricity.

The system is very easy to install.

Challenges:

Usually, they need to work in conjunction with other heating systems such as underfloor heating, and it is vital that your home is well insulated.

You will need a spacious outdoor area to place the heat pump.

 

3.    Solar Water Heating

 

Solar water heating systems collect heat from the sun through panels installed to your roof, which is stored in a hot water cylinder.

Benefits:

Lowers energy bills as once it is installed, it functions mainly without electricity.

This system works throughout the winter months, but may need an immersion or a boiler to support it.

Challenges:

While the long term savings are significant, the install cost can be quite expensive and is a large lump sum to pay at once.

The hot water cylinder can be very large and takes up a lot of space.

 

4.    Biomass

 

Biomass systems are wood fueled heating systems. Wood chips/logs are burned in a stove in a single room, and typically have a back burner to heat water. The biomass system is connected to a central heating system in the home.

Benefits

The biomass system lowers energy bills and wood is generally a cheaper fuel option.

The carbon emissions from Biomass are much lower than other fuel types.

Challenges

Most biomass systems must be cleaned out at least weekly, unless it has a self-cleaning system.

Wood boilers are much larger than oil and gas boilers and so require more space.

 

 

Non-Renewable Energy Sources:

 

1.    Oil Heating

 

Using oil to heat the home is traditionally one of the most popular options.

Benefits:

Delivery – oil can be delivered almost everywhere, which is convenient for those living in rural areas.

In terms of non-renewable energy sources, oil is one of the cheaper options.

Challenges:

Despite being one of the cheapest non renewable energy sources, oil is still very expensive and as resources deplete, costs are rising.

Oil creates a high level of carbon dioxide as well as sulphur trioxide and sulphur dioxide which are both causes of acid rain.

 

2.    Natural Gas

 

Natural gas is made up of mainly of methane and is used globally in multiple industries.

Benefits:

Transportation – natural gas is readily available as it is transported all over the world.

Natural gas has multiple uses, and so can be used in cooking, heating, electricity etc.

Challenges:

The gas itself is incredibly toxic when directly inhaled, while also being highly flammable. Natural gas is odourless and so can be difficult to detect.

As well as being a finite resource, natural gas is harmful to the environment with large amounts of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere.

 

3.    Coal

 

Coal is historically one of the most popular sources of energy in the UK and Ireland.

Benefits:

Coal is easy to burn

Coal is reliable as it is guaranteed to function the same.

Challenges:

Coal is rapidly depleting and so the price is steadily rising.

Coal is incredibly harmful to the environment when burned, as it releases large amounts of carbon dioxide.

 

Further, if you want to learn more about Thermohouse products, and how they can cut your energy bills, click here.