Alternatives to Gas Boilers: What You Need to Know

FACTS CHECKED BY  Bob Smith

What are your options for heating your home? Like most people, you probably rely on a gas boiler.

But there are other options, some of which are cheaper and have a less environmental impact.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best alternatives to gas boilers.

So if you’re thinking about making a change, read on!

What is a Gas Boiler?

A gas boiler is a heating system that uses gas to heat water and circulates throughout the home to provide warmth.

This system typically consists of a boiler unit, which contains the gas burner and generates heat, and an attached tank that stores hot water throughout the home.

In addition, a gas boiler typically features a series of pipes and tubes that help to circulate the heated water through radiators or various vents throughout the building.

Why Look at Alternatives to Central Heating Systems?

A gas-powered central heating system isn’t only pricey to install and requires yearly maintenance.

Furthermore, they are much less efficient than other methods, costing you more money in the long run and harming the environment.

Underfloor heating system

Underfloor heating system

Advantages:

  • Gas heating can provide the heating demands of any house.
  • Due to the immense popularity of gas heaters, more units are available on the market from various manufacturers
  • Gas is typically more available than electricity

Disadvantages:

  • High installation costs and yearly fees for upkeep
  • The potential risk of flammable gas leaks
  • Not every house has access to the gas grid network

Traditional Alternatives to Gas Boilers

LPG or Oil Boilers

Oil and LPG boilers are an alternative to gas boilers that use oil or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as their fuel source.

These boilers are typically stored in an external tank and require regular maintenance and refilling.

However, they can be a more cost-effective option than gas boilers, mainly if you live in an area where gas is not readily available.

LPG gas tank

LPG gas tank

Electric Boilers

Electric boilers use electricity as their power source and can be a more efficient and cost-effective option in certain areas.

They are known for nearly having no greenhouse gas emissions, but this depends on the source of electricity. 

Some electric boilers use fossil fuels for electricity generation, while others use renewable energy sources like solar or wind power.

On top of that, they may be much cheaper to run than gas boilers but can have a higher upfront cost.

An electric boiler

An electric boiler

Green Alternatives to Gas Boilers

Low-carbon heating systems can offer an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to gas boilers. Additionally, they can reduce your carbon footprint as well as energy bills.

Heat Pumps

They use the air outside and convert it into heat, making them much more energy efficient than gas boilers.

Pros

  • Decrease in your fuel bills
  • Reducing carbon emissions
  • More energy-efficient
  • Much safer than gas
  • Lower maintenance required
  • Some models can both heat and cool your home
  • Longer lifespan
  • Save space in your home

Cons

  • The initial cost of installation is high
  • Most effective when used in conjunction with air or underfloor heating systems
  • It requires a garden, and the installation process may damage your garden.
Heat Pump, ground source system

Heat Pump, ground source system

Heat batteries

They use renewable energy sources to produce energy stored in a battery and used for heating.

Pros

  • Fewer carbon emissions
  • Incredibly effective
  • More affordable than a heat pump
  • Easy to install
  • Long lifespan
  • Utilize your home’s current radiators and pipework.

Cons

  • Relatively heavy
  • Use off-peak electricity, like Economy 7
  • Expensive if charged up during peak times or without a time-of-use tariff.
  • Not yet widely available
The heating battery

The heating battery

Hybrid heating system

It has a low-carbon heating system, like a heat pump, and a traditional gas or oil boiler.

The boiler will be the backup if the low-carbon option can’t meet your heating demands.

Pros

  • Lower carbon emissions
  • Very efficient
  • Some models can both cool and heat your house
  • Longer lifespan
  • Combines the benefits of a heat pump with the reliability of a boiler

Cons

  • High initial cost
  • Less eco-friendly than other low-carbon solutions
  • Outdoor space required

Solar Thermal Panels

Solar thermal panels use the sun’s energy to heat water. They use a special liquid that gets heated up, then heats water for various uses in your home.

Pros

  • Save on your energy costs
  • Fewer carbon emissions
  • Easy to maintain
  • Low running costs

Cons

  • Varies with the weather
  • It can’t be your only source of energy.
  • It may not be compatible with all heating systems.
  • High upfront cost
Using solar energy to heat water

Using solar energy to heat water

Infrared Heating Panels

They may seem like regular radiators, but they emit infrared waves to heat.

Pros

  • Fewer carbon emissions
  • Low maintenance
  • Silent
  • More secure than gas
  • Portable and compact

Cons

  • By not heating the air, the room will feel colder as soon as you switch it off.
  • Limited to a range of 3 meters
  • If an object is blocking the heater, you won’t feel warm.
  • Infrared energy passes through glass, so don’t put them in front of a window.
Infrared Heating Panels

Infrared Heating Panels

Solar Powered Electric Heating

A group of solar panels on the roof collects energy from the sun and converts it into electricity, which is then used to heat your home.

Pros

  • Save money on fuel for hot water and space heating
  • Reducing carbon emissions from your home
  • Safer than gas
  • Completely silent
  • Simple to set up
  • Costs are continuously dropping
  • Low maintenance costs

Cons

  • Not for all homes
  • Fairly low-efficiency levels
Sun panel system

Sun panel system

Biomass Boilers

They work similarly to regular gas or oil boilers but use organic materials, like wood pellets, chips, or logs, to generate heat.

Pros

  • Low-cost fuel
  • Fewer carbon emissions
  • An efficient way to dispose of waste wood and plants
  • Perfect for those who live in remote areas.

Cons

  • Relatively bigger and bulkier than traditional boilers
  • High initial cost
  • A space required to store the fuel
Biomass boilers

Biomass boilers

Advantages of Gas Boiler Alternatives

  1. Ease of installation: Unlike a gas boiler, they don’t require major renovations or alterations to your home.
  2. Returnable: You can easily return and sell your low-carbon heating system if you move to a different home.
  3. Low maintenance: These alternatives often require less maintenance, as they do not have specific parts that must be regularly replaced.
  4. Energy-saving: They use renewable energy sources, reducing your carbon footprint and saving you money on energy bills.
  5. Better for the environment: These alternatives do not emit harmful greenhouse gases, making them a more sustainable heating option.

Challenges of Switching to Gas Boiler Alternatives

  1. The orientation of your home: The direction that your home faces can affect the efficiency and effectiveness of some alternatives, like solar panels.
  2. Initial cost: These alternatives often have a high initial cost, as they require an initial investment in the equipment and installation.
Solar panels used for energy production

Solar panels used for energy production

How Much Do Alternatives to Gas Boilers Cost?

Future Alternatives to Gas Boilers

In today’s world, we are increasingly aware of the negative impacts of fossil fuels and other long-term greenhouse gases on our environment.

Hydrogen is a promising alternative to natural gas for heating our homes and powering our appliances.

Unlike natural gas, which produces carbon when burned, hydrogen only produces heat and water vapor, making it a cleaner and more sustainable option for many of our energy needs.

In addition, we can produce hydrogen from various sources, such as biomass or electricity from renewable sources like solar or wind power.

With its low carbon footprint, flexibility, and abundant supplies, hydrogen will play a vital role in moving from gas boilers to greener alternatives.

Conclusion

So, there you have a variety of gas boiler alternatives to consider if you’re looking to make the switch.

Each has pros and cons, so be sure to research before deciding.

Remember that some of these alternatives may require an initial investment but often offer long-term energy bills and reduced carbon emissions savings.

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or think we left something out.

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