We have talked recently about how a wood burning stove, can help you run independently, off the grid. There are significant advantages to this, mainly its great for the environment and good for your pocket. However, there is much more than stoves when it comes to life away from the grid, especially with regards to a self build project.
In this article we look at the different ways you can live off grid, with sustainability and the environment in mind.
The fact is some properties that are self build projects do not have easy access to gas mains etc. This can cost a huge amount, and maybe out of the scope of many budgets. If this is the case then going off grid could be more of an option.
Off Grid Heating Options:
Heat Pumps: Heater pumps work like a fridge but in reverse. These pumps take energy from the ground and air and sometimes water, and concentrate this into a form that can be used for water and air heating in a home. You do need an electrical source to power the pump. So it is not totally carbon neutral. GSHPs (ground source heat pumps) take warmth from a pipework under the earth. ASHPs (air source heat pumps) in winter struggle to produce adequate heat, and are generally less efficient compared to ground source pumps. As good as GSHPs are, you need a large amount of land to bury the pipework.
LPG: LPG, also know as Liquid Petroleum Gas is not the ideal form of energy for the more environmentally friendly self builders, as there is a slightly higher carbon impact due to the transportation considerations. However, LPG can be cheap when compared to other heating sources, and with a new highly efficient home, the need for heating fuel is less when compared to an older, less insulated home. You will need a tank for the fuel, which can be kept in the garden or under the ground.
Oil: Oil is a popular fuel for powering boilers, and is often used in rural areas when gas is not an option. As mentioned in previous articles oil is a fossil fuel, and is not a sustainable long term solution for future generations. Although some are happy to use oil, others will rather avoid it. It pumps CO2 into the atmosphere and does not take it away, this is in contrast to fuels like wood. Read more about fossil fuel here.
Wood: Well we couldn’t miss this out could we? Wood, especially when used on a wood burning stove, mated to a boiler is one of the most environmentally friendly, sustainable ways to heat a home. You can read more about wood burning stoves as a heating source on this article.
Biomass Boilers: A biomass boiler is run by burning logs, pellets, waste wood and wood chips. These are highly versatile boilers and are highly environmentally friendly. Biomass boilers also produce very little ash, which makes it a convenient source of heating too. As long as they have the appropriate exemption certificates they can also be used in smoke control zones too. You can read more about biomass in this recent article.
Solar Heating: Due to the UK’s rather unpredictable weather, solar heating can usually only provide around 50% of hot water needs for a home. The rest will need to be made up from another source, which could easily be any of the more environmentally friendly fuel sources mentioned in this article.
Electric Resistance Heating: Storage heaters are an example of electric resistant heating. Sadly this form of heating is also the least environmentally friendly. It is however, cheap to install and so gives an option for those on a tighter budget.
In Conclusion:
There is a wide range of heating sources available, what you opt for is down to your own budget, environmental focus among many other things. Here is a recap of each of the above, looking at both their pros and cons:
Heater Pumps:
Pros: Low carbon footprint, low running costs, hassle free
Cons: Relatively expensive, need lots of land, air heater pumps not as good in cold weather
LPG:
Pros: Quite cheap to install, hassle free
Cons: Not particularly environmentally friendly
Oil:
Pros: Cheap, a tried and tested source
Cons: Not environmentally friendly
Wood:
Pros: Highly environmentally friendly, relatively cheap
Cons: You need to have the time to actively manage burning of logs when in operation
Biomass Boilers:
Pros: Low running costs and environmentally friendly
Cons: Can be a hassle for some to operate
Solar Heating:
Pros: Highly environmentally friendly
Cons: Poor UK weather means it will probably only be able to supply 50% of your required power
Electric Resistance Heating:
Pros: It’s hassle free to use and initial cost is low
Cons: Not environmentally friendly, with relatively high overall running costs
