What are the different low carbon heating systems and how do I choose the best one?
The type of low carbon system best suited to your project will depend on many factors but the chart below should provide some initial factors to consider. Enhabit can provide information and detailed designs to help you make the best choice.
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Direct electric radiators and instant water heating
- Best suited to very well-insulated buildings.
- Instant water heating can work with small houses without space for a hot water cylinder and low occupancy
- Direct electric will have the highest running cost
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Air source heat pump
- Best suited to well-insulated buildings.
- Space required outside for outdoor heat pump unit
- UFH or radiators sized for low flow temperatures
- Eligible for Renewable Heat Incentive
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Ground source heat pump
- Best suited to well-insulated buildings.
- Workable on properties with large land available for horizontal ground array + 1 acre.
- Borehole system best where access for large vehicles is possible
- More complicated in dense urban areas
- High initial investment cost
- Eligible for Renewable Heat Incentive
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Exhaust air heat pump
- Best suited to well-insulated buildings.
- Good solution for compact buildings
- Heating provided to all rooms, all or nothing approach.
- Requires insulated ductwork system
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Air to air heat pump
- Cooling is not a low energy approach for any property in the UK and can be prevented with good design.
- If cooling is required, this is the best option.
- Individual units required for each room.
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Solar PV
- Can work with any building with an unshaded south, east or west facing roof space
- Higher self-consumption with heat pump timed to heat hot water during the day
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Solar Thermal
- Can work with any building with an unshaded south, east or west facing roof space
- Twin coil hot water cylinder required
- Eligible for Renewable Heat Incentive
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Kaspar Bradshaw, Project Engineer, Enhabit
Find out more about Enhabit’s Mechanical Services Design service.
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