With the large fluctuations in fuel prices and the government committed to reducing its carbon emissions, it has never been more important to discover how you can cut your energy use and costs. This will not only help you to achieve reduced heating costs, but also provide a sustainable solution – to benefit future generations.
Snibor has supplied and installed ground-source and air-source heat pumps, as well as solar and biomass heating systems; these have led to significant energy- and cost-savings for our clients. Experienced in supply and installation to homes, businesses and school sectors, we are well placed to recommend a sustainable solution for you.
How does renewable energy work?
Ground-source heat pumps
At one metre’s depth, the average soil temperature in the UK remains consistently at 10–13°C. The ‘ground loop’ is a pipe buried in the soil, at this depth, and filled with a mixture of water and food-friendly glycol. The mixture is at a low temperature and is gently warmed by the surrounding soil, as it is pumped through the pipe.
The heat pump requires an increase of just a few degrees in the temperature of the water mix. It is then put through a process which involves a series of heat-exchangers and a compressor, where the heat is concentrated, so that temperatures up to 65°C are achieved. This then feeds the central-heating radiators, under-floor heating pipes and the domestic hot water tank.
Air-source heat pumps
These heat pumps do not have a ground loop, but instead absorb heat from the air. The advantage is that they require no digging. However, they are less efficient and must be sited sensitively, owing to a small amount of noise from the external fan.
We are supplied by Ice Energy, the leading heat pump specialist, offering us three options:
• Greenline C ground-source heat pump, with internal direct hot water storage
• Greenline E ground-source heat pump, with external direct hot water storage
• Ecodan air-source heat pump, with flow temperature controller
Heat pump running costs
An average central heating system requiring input of 100Kwh
oil boiler (5 years old, running at 75% efficiency) v heat pump
12.5 litres of oil at 50p/litre v 25Kwh of electricity at 10p/Kwh
heating cost £6.25 v heating cost £2.50
Solar energy
Solar water-heating systems use the sun’s energy to heat water and can supply around 50% of a home’s annual hot water. Solar panels can be positioned on the roof or ground, absorbing heat from the sunlight and transferring it, by pump or gravity, to a water cylinder for use. In summer, solar energy can provide up to 90% of the hot water demand and 60% annually (seasonally adjusted). Solar panels are well suited to south-facing roofs, although we can design systems to suit all locations.
Wood burner and biomass
Not all, but a lot, of our clients have access to a good supply of logs; therefore, as a heating option, it is worth considering wood-burning. Provided that the logs or pellets are from a regrowth supply, the carbon emissions will be neutral, because the carbon released from burning equals the carbon absorbed by the trees during growth. The options to consider are wood-burning stoves and biomass pellet boilers, all of which we can supply and install.
If you would like more detailed information about the sustainable options available to you or a detailed quotation, contact our heating and renewable energy manager, who will take you through the renewable energy solutions most suited to your property.
Contact us today to discuss your project ideas:
0800 1357453 | enquiries@snibor.co.uk
