This is the most practical source of energy but not renewable. So use it sparingly and most efficiently. Oil is cheaper than gas which in turn is cheaper than LPG.
Natural gas is an obvious choice when available but please use with condensing boilers. They are not expensive and are mandatory. See condensing boilers.
Coal is a fossil fuel but is not a practical fuel in modern buildings.
Electric
Power
One of the most expensive fuels. Ideal for lighting, machinery, appliances and cooking. Converting fossil fuel to work then to electricity and then transmitting all over the country incurs a heavy toll in energy efficiency and hence the higher cost. Use it sparingly for heating and rely heavily on special low tariffs then store the heat in the floor of underfloor heating system for day time use.
Cost of kW electricity is 2 to 4 times higher than oil and gas.
One of the most expensive fuels. Ideal for lighting, machinery, appliances and cooking. Converting fossil fuel to work then to electricity and then transmitting all over the country incurs a heavy toll in energy efficiency and hence the higher cost. Use it sparingly for heating and rely heavily on special low tariffs then store the heat in the floor of underfloor heating system for day time use.
Cost of kW electricity is 2 to 4 times higher than oil and gas.
Solar energy can be used for generating hot water using solar collectors placed on a south facing roof. A saving of about 1/4 of your energy per year bill can be achieved.
IPPEC supplies twin coils cylinder so that the bottom coil can be heated by the solar panel.
Grants of £500 are on offer for installing solar collectors. Visit www.saveenergy.co.uk for further details. Also try www.clear-skies.org
Photovoltaic cells convert sun rays to electricity. They are still very expensive. Germany has at least more than time solar power than the UK.
Heat
pump
Heat pumps need high thermal mass such as lake or large area of land. The electric pump power and top up electrcity cost must be taken into consideration. Heat pumps are efficient only when used with low temperature heating system. Such as underfloor heating. They should not be used for heating hot water.
Hydraulic electric
Ideal where available cheaply.
Real Geothermal heat
Deep boreholes up to 300 m deep. Much electric power is used by pump and expensive installation making it not practical for homes.
Wind power
Not a practical source of power for individual buildings. Suitable for large housing estate. There are two types of windmills: the horizontal shaft, where the generator is mounted behind the fan, the vertical shaft turbine where the fan rotates horizontally and the generator is usually on the ground. Germany has more than 10 times wind turbines than the UK.
Heat pumps need high thermal mass such as lake or large area of land. The electric pump power and top up electrcity cost must be taken into consideration. Heat pumps are efficient only when used with low temperature heating system. Such as underfloor heating. They should not be used for heating hot water.
Hydraulic electric
Ideal where available cheaply.
Real Geothermal heat
Deep boreholes up to 300 m deep. Much electric power is used by pump and expensive installation making it not practical for homes.
Wind power
Not a practical source of power for individual buildings. Suitable for large housing estate. There are two types of windmills: the horizontal shaft, where the generator is mounted behind the fan, the vertical shaft turbine where the fan rotates horizontally and the generator is usually on the ground. Germany has more than 10 times wind turbines than the UK.
