Energy is one of our most valuable resources, yet almost half the UKs carbon dioxide emissions, the main greenhouse gas causing climate change, actually come from the things we do every day. Every time we overfill the kettle or leave the heating on unnecessarily, we waste energy that results in needless carbon dioxide emissions.
Energy efficiency in our heating systems is slowly improving however, with standard efficiency boilers disappearing in favour of energy saving condensing boilers. In addition, renewable technology such as ground and air source heat pumps and solar panels that allow us to use the earths natural energy to heat our water, are more easily available and more viable.
Levels of structural insulation in new buildings are increasing, and the introduction of energy certification for new and existing buildings will continue to encourage improvements in energy efficiency.
Since the introduction of central heating systems, we have become familiar with large steel panel radiators in every room. However, to perform to maximum efficiency they need large volumes of very hot water, which means they are much less efficient in the modern heating systems of today, as water temperatures are much lower.
Fan convector technology has been available for many years. In independent tests carried out by BSRIA* fan convectors were shown to use 24% less energy in heating up a room when installed as part of a boiler driven central heating system. Furthermore when connected to a low temperature system such as those using ground or air-source heat pumps the energy saving increased to 31%.
Heating for a Sustainable Future Energy is one of our most valuable resources, yet almost half the UKs carbon dioxide emissions, the main greenhouse gas causing climate change, actually come from the things we do every day. Every time we overfill the kettle or leave the heating on unnecessarily, we waste energy that results in needless carbon dioxide emissions.
Additionally fan convectors use only 5% of the water content of an equivalent output radiator. This results in a quicker heat up and is more responsive to our changing weather patterns. Equally important, they are compatible with every type of heat generator whether that be the standard efficiency boiler of yesterday, the energy saving condensing boilers of today or the renewable technology of tomorrow.
* BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association) tests were carried out in August 2008.
