How to heat your home

Heating your house correctly starts by making a few basic observations about your insulation, the existing heating system, the type of heat output you need and the programming system in place.

Home insulation

High-quality home insulation works to reduce heat loss. New builds are now subject to strict standards as part of the government's plans to make all new buildings highly energy efficient. This means they must have a low carbon heating system and be zero carbon ready by 2025. Older buildings are also expected to be subject to higher standards in the years to come. It is possible to find out more about the energy efficiency of your home with an energy performance certificate (EPC) which estimates a property’s energy use and typical energy costs. It will also provide recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money in the process.

Heating a poorly insulated house wastes energy. One way to improve insulation is to choose energy efficient doors, French doors and windows. In this case, energy efficiency is measured as a Uw value; the lower the Uw value, the better the thermal performance. Insulating loft spaces and/or cavity walls with materials like mineral wool, glass wool or cellulose is another good way to limit heat loss. It is also possible to improve insulation by implementing a few seasonal changes such as using draught excluders, fitting garage door insulation or hanging thermal curtains.

Different types of heating systems

In order to choose the right heating system for your home, you need to think carefully about a number of factors including the type of heat output you need, the level of comfort you're after, the quality of your home's insulation, the heating system and technology already in place, your budget and any grants you may be eligible for.

Heat output should differ from room to room. For example, you might want to heat your living room to 25°C and your bedroom to 19°C or 21°C. In terms of user comfort, consider that a wood burning stove needs to be topped up daily while a gas boiler operates automatically. The heating system already in place will also influence your decision. For example, if you already have central heating you might simply want to update your radiators; if you have electric heating, you might want to set up smart control. The type of budget you have will affect the type of heating technology you can install. Prices range widely between high efficiency radiators and wood burning stoves, for example.

Selecting heat output

A poorly heated home can become damp and uncomfortable to live in. Some people need to keep their home a bit on the warmer side. But choosing a heating system that has a greater heat output than your needs wastes energy and this will translate directly to your energy bills. Furthermore, you won't be using the system efficiently. For example, if you are using a 15kW wood burning stove to heat a well insulated home measuring just 60 m², the stove will always be under-performing. If you need a boost but don't necessarily need extra heat in every room, a room heater can be a good solution. Any home with damp issues can also benefit from the use of a dehumidifier.

Programming a heating system

It goes without saying that there is no point in heating your home to 24°C when there's no one home. Smart heating controls and other programming systems will help to prevent this from happening. These systems can also be used to make use of off-peak hours, maintain set temperatures or even manage your energy consumption over the whole heating season. Programming your heating system provides you with more comfort and setting a heating schedule can help you to save money.

Your choice of heating appliance depends largely on the size of your home. When choosing between different models, think about the energy rating of the appliance and the initial investment. But don't forget to consider running costs and to compare energy tariffs.

Heating systems can be fuelled by fossil fuels such as gas, coal or oil. Bear in mind that most of the electricity in the UK is produced by burning fossil fuels, though the amount of energy produced by renewable or zero carbon sources such as wind power and solar power is increasing all the time. It is also possible to choose an energy supplier that provides 100% reneweable electricity or even gas.

A heat pump can be a great alternative to more traditional heating systems. Heat pumps make use of the heat naturally present in the air or the ground to produce warmth and operate using very little electricity. Broadly speaking, there are five main types of heating systems:

• electric: as long as highly efficient electric heating appliances are used electric heating can still be a viable option.

• oil: oil boilers are gradually falling out of favour due to the government's plans to ban the installation of oil boilers in new builds from 2025. However, the rule does not currently apply to existing buildings and is not likely to change for some time yet.

• gas: gas is used to power about three quarters of all home heating systems in the UK;

• wood: a wood fired boiler can be used to feed a wet central heating system;

• heat pumps: these appliances are designed to take heat from the air, water or ground and inject it into homes.

No matter what type of heating you choose, it is imperative to use it as efficiently as possible. This means keeping an eye on your usage, programming the system and ensuring your appliances produce the correct heat output for your home. Below you'll find more information on each type of heating system.

There are two different types of electric heating systems: electric boilers which are designed to produce hot water to feed a central heating system and electric radiators and heaters which feature different types of technology.

Electric boilers are expensive to run but they do offer a certain level of comfort to the user. These boilers can be used to both produce domestic hot water and power a wet central heating system using appropriately sized radiators.

There are many different types of electric heaters and radiators:

• convector heaters release heat by convection. These heaters are expensive to run and tend to dry out the air;

• panel heaters produce a mixture of radiant and convective heat. These heaters do not dry out the air as much and provide more effective and uniform heat distribution;

• storage heaters produce radiant heat. They are designed to store heat and release it when required making them more economical to run than any other type of electric heater. They can be oil filled – in which case they are filled with a heat transfer fluid – or feature a dry heating core made of materials like ceramic, soapstone or lava stone.

Oil is generally used to power an oil fired boiler but can also be used to fuel an oil stove. Oil burning stoves are not hugely popular in the UK mainly due to ever-increasing oil prices. However, they can work in very well insulated homes for anyone looking for a stove that is easy to run – unlike a traditional wood burning stove which needs to be topped up daily.

If you have oil heating, you need a domestic oil storage tank. Oil burning stoves can be vented out of a chimney or via a twin wall flue system. Oil boilers may use a special low temperature system or can be condensing. They are designed to feed hot water into central heating radiators. Oil fired boilers must be serviced annually.

By 2025, new homes will not be allowed to install a gas or oil boilers. There are currently no plans to phase out gas or oil boilers in older homes though more incentives will surely be put in to place to encourage us to make the switch to more eco-friendly alternatives such as heat pumps or storage heaters.

Gas boilers work in a similar way to oil fired boilers but are hooked directly up to mains gas instead. Condensing gas boilers are highly efficient appliances and much more economical to run than older models. Most modern gas boilers are condensing boilers. The heat produced by a gas boiler is fed into central heating radiators – which differ in size to match the room in which they are installed – or into an underfloor heating system.

Combi boilers are also used to provide domestic hot water within a single unit. These days, most gas boilers are generally vented through a balanced flue system but older boilers may feature an exhaust only system. New builds will not be allowed to install new gas boilers after 2025.

Biomass heating systems can be made up of several different appliances including:

• biomass boilers (either a log burner boiler or a wood pellet boiler);

• a wood burning stove;

• a wood pellet stove;

• a wood burning cooker;

• a fireplace insert;

• an open fireplace.

When it comes to biomass heating systems, the best option is often a wood pellet boiler with a separate wood pellet feeder. This feeder can be used to store enough wood pellets for a whole heating season. Pellet stoves are also very easy to use and can be programmed to work more or less automatically. These stoves provide more flexibility to the user and can be used to make savings. In terms of overall comfort, the best combination would be a condensing pellet boiler with a separate pellet feeder. Bear in mind that most biomass heating systems require some electricity for programming and so on.

Some fireplace inserts and wood burners can be used to burn logs and wood pellets. Of course any wood burning appliance must be properly vented and requires maintenance. Some stoves can be highly efficient, but this depends on their specifications.

Heat pumps are economical systems designed to absorb heat from the outside air, the ground or a body of water and transform it for use indoors via a system made up of refrigerant fluid, an evaporator, compressor and heat exchanger. They can be air-to-air, air-to-water, water-to-water, ground-to-air or ground-to-water. Heat pumps are highly efficient and consume about 1 kW for every 4 kW they produce. They can be used to feed central heating radiators or smart radiators through underfloor heating or even ceiling cassettes. Heat pumps are expensive to buy but are highly efficient and will prove a wise investment in the long term. However, if you live in the north of the country, you may still need back-up room heaters.

The heat output of appliances is measured in kilowatts (kW) and must be calculated with the following criteria in mind:

• the total area or volume of the home;

• the quality of the home's insulation and its energy performance;

• the region in which the heating appliance will be installed (since temperatures vary across the country);

• the indoor temperature required;

• any sources of heat loss (linked to the quality of insulation).

If you're after an appliance that can produce hot water in addition to heating it will need to be more powerful if you want it to meet the hot water requirements of your home.

Generally speaking, electric radiators and stoves should be able to provide 100 watts (or 0.1 kW) per m² or 0.04 kW per m3 for a well insulated home. Please note that this calculation does not apply to boilers. A very well insulated home may need as little as 0.024 kW per m3. You'll find more information on the types of heat output required – with further details on set temperatures, exterior temperatures, coefficient of consumption and heat loss – in the buying guides of each type of appliance.

How to heat a new build

The advantage of a new build property is that you can choose the type of heating system you want based on the location of the house and your own comfort preferences. From air-to-water heat pumps to ground-source heat pumps, or even a whole network of smart control ceramic storage radiators, it's entirely up to you to select the most efficient heating system. In order to make your decision, it's a good idea to compare the following criteria:

• the cost of installation – including venting equipment, storage tanks, etc. ;

• the cost of maintenance and replacement parts;

• the appliance warranty and average lifespan;

• wholesale energy prices and tariffs;

• daily maintenance tasks – topping up a pellet stove or adding wood to a fireplace insert vs. a gas boiler or electric heating system which works more or less automatically;

• installation requirements – underfloor heating provides the most discreet option compared to an oil stove or wood burner which can take up a lot of room; even radiators will take up some room;

• safety – this is especially important if you have young children;

• heating requirements of your home depending on where you live.

How to heat an older building

You will have less choice in an older building since the existing appliances will somewhat limit the type of heating system you can install – especially if there is already an oil fired boiler or wood burner in place. Just like when you pick a heating system for a new home, you'll need to think about:

• cost of installation and maintenance;

• the wholesale price of energy per year;

• how easy the system is to use – for example, electric radiators require a lot less work and care than a wood burning stove;

• the location of your home;

• your requirements and safety concerns.

It's worth noting that most heating grants are aimed at improving the energy efficiency of older homes. Some grants and funding schemes include the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, the Green Homes Grant and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). Schemes and grants change regularly and it's a good idea to stay up to date with the latest on offer.

It's no secret that anyone looking to reduce their environmental impact should:

• prioritise renewable energy;

• choose a highly efficient heating system;

• improve insulation to reduce heat loss;

• size heating appliances correctly;

• not overheat the home;

• accept that sometimes putting on an extra layer is better than turning up the heating!

It is possible to make savings by turning to an off grid system such as installing solar panels or using your own wood to power a biomass boiler or stove.

1. How can I heat my home for less?

Every home needs a heating system and every type of system entails some expense. You can keep costs down by choosing high efficiency heating appliances and reducing your reliance on the grid where possible (by installing solar panels, for example).

2. How can I heat my home using wood?

When it comes to wood heating systems, you have the choice between classic biomass boilers, open fireplaces, fireplace inserts, wood burning stoves or log burning cookers. Wood pellets offer an excellent alternative to logs and pellet stoves can be highly efficient.

3. What heating system is best for a well insulated home?

Very well insulated homes can be heated by a range of heating equipment including condensing boilers, air-to-water heat pumps, storage heaters and so on. Most importantly, don't be tempted to choose an appliance with a higher heat output than required or you'll end up wasting energy. Always choose energy efficient appliances.

4. How can I heat my home with solar power?

Heat pumps and solar panels are the way to go if you want to use energy from the sun to heat your home. Large south-facing windows or French doors will also work to heat up your home to some extent. A solar power system that also heats water can be very efficient and economical in the long term. The hot water produced can be stored in a hot water cylinder and used to supply hot taps or feed an underfloor heating system. While there are no government grants available for solar panels, be sure to check if you are eligible to apply for any schemes such as the Feed In Tariff.

5. How should I heat my home overnight?

It all depends on your heating system. If you have storage heaters it is best to let them build up heat overnight during offpeak hours to release it throughout the day during peak hours. On the other hand, if you have a pellet stove ,wood fired boiler or gas boiler, there's no need to maintain a set temperature of 21°C between the hours of 11pm and 5am.

For more information on heating, check out the following guides from our editors:

• Central heating radiator buying guide

• Bioethanol fireplace buying guide

• Electric fireplace buying guide

• Air conditioner buying guide

• Air dehumidifier buying guide

More information on air conditioning and ventilation

• Air conditioner buying guide

• How to install air conditioning

• Air to air heat pump buying guide

• Air conditioners: advantages and disadvantages

• Portable air conditioners or air coolers: which is right for you?

• How to reduce air conditioner noise

• Portable air conditioner buying guide

• Fan or portable air conditioner: which is right for you?

More information on home heating

• Electric radiator and heater buying guide

• Wood pellet stove buying guide

• Wood burning stove buying guide

• Wood fireplace insert buying guide

• Heat exchanger buying guide

• What is the energy transition?

• Energy efficiency: an environmental challenge for housing

• Home energy efficiency grants

• Home energy efficiency standards and certifications

• Energy-efficient heating systems: what are the options?

• Energy-efficient ventilation systems: what are the options?

• Energy-efficient water heaters: what are the options?

• Energy-efficient windows and doors: what are the options?

• How to improve energy efficiency with insulation