21-01-2015, 02:33 PM
(21-01-2015, 12:27 PM)nominous Wrote: The best electrical heater is an A/C unit that run run both heat and cooling.
Heat pumps are the most efficient form of electrical heating.
Doesn't have to be a full on cut holes in the wall affair. Some units come with ducts which go through windows or catflaps as a temporary solution.
Gas would always be the preferred choice.
If you're up on your insulation firstly, then take a look at solar panels coupled with heat pumps.
During the winter you are likely to be importing from the grid. During the summer exporting. So it will all balance out. With heat pumps approaching COP of 5 (really more like 3 in current weather) they are becoming on par with gas.
If you're doing whole house renovation at some point, underfloor heating which uses lower temperatures is potentially a wiser choice as it medium temps take less energy to produce than radiator temps.
But practicality of the house you have often makes choices for you over what technology you might install. And the bank balance.
I have an air conditioner but sadly it doesn't do heating.
I'm not sure I have enough garden for a decent GSHP system but do have an ideal south facing location for both that and solar.
Loft insulation will be done soon. I keep meaning to do it, there is some in there on the loft floor rather than the roof but I keep being reminded that a house looses a third of its heat through the roof. Judging on the difference between electric usage in the winter and the summer I think Its costing me £3-4 a day to heat the house, with insulation thats a quid a month less.