When compared to their European counterpart, the UK’s energy efficiency is much lower, with homes unable to retain heat, losing it at a rate of almost three times more. This huge gap is one of the main reasons the UK government is taking more concrete steps to tackle homes that are not energy efficient. We will explore in this blog the reasons why the UK is lagging when it comes to home energy efficiency and the different ways it can improve to help bring its energy infrastructure to a higher standard that is on par with the rest of European countries.
Reasons Why the UK is Lagging Behind:
Many homes in the UK are very old, with estimates putting a third of them being built before 1946. These homes have a very low energy efficiency, lacking a proper heating system. As energy escapes easily from these old houses, the UK’s energy efficiency drops, with homes relying more than ever on more gas, putting more pressure on supply and pushing the prices and inefficiency even lower. Proper insulation is hard to make available to this multitude of homes, making it more of a challenge for the UK to compete with the rest of Europe.
Many new homes built do not meet the right efficiency requirements, with only about 1.8% achieving a top rating. This low percentage means that many new homes will also need to be upgraded to meet the right standards, increasing the pressure on the government to provide solutions, and wasting critical time that would make a difference for both the people and the environment.
While Europe was upgrading its energy infrastructure at a fast pace, the UK lost time by not working towards its deadlines seriously, backtracking on important decisions, and sometimes even pushing dependency on gas. David Cameron’s government took steps back from various plans they had previously agreed on, with home insulation dropping from 1.6 million to 200,000 in 2013 because of these decisions. In 2021, Boris Johnson launched his own scheme that was meant to help build green homes, but it collapsed just 6 months later due to bad planning and not working on advice given by industry experts.
The UK does not have enough experts in the field to help encourage good growth within the renewable energy and home efficiency market. Countries like Sweden have long fostered a marketplace that helped build the sector, by investing in technologies like air source heat pumps, which helped bring the prices down for consumers. By creating a strong workforce and increasing awareness, more people will want to upgrade their home’s heating system and will be more open to the idea of putting some money down for the initial investment. Air source heat pumps have had an increase in funding, up to £7,000 offered to eligible homeowners.
Do you Qualify for Free Insulation:
The ECO4 government grant scheme is designed to help homeowners who are recipients of benefits to get free insulation and other upgrades to their heating systems. Grants can be offered to individuals who want to install external wall insulation, even if they do not receive benefits. Check your eligibility for free home upgrades here.
Deeper Look at European Heating System Vs UK Heating System:
As energy prices continue to rise, we need to look at other factors that make European countries much more effective in trapping heat in their homes compared to the UK. In countries like Iceland, Denmark, and Sweden, district heating is used by over 50% of their population. 92% of Iceland’s population uses district heating, compared to Denmark’s 63%. The UK only has 2% of its population benefiting from district heating. These numbers show that the UK not only lags on more energy-efficient measures but also other methods that have proven effective in other countries.
District heating makes it easier to use low-carbon and other renewable sources of energy, making it an effective method to help reduce bills while saving the environment. It also means the UK will be less dependent on gas supplies and other fossil fuels. While the UK at one point had large reserves of gas, which explains the popularity of gas boilers, this is no longer the case, and they now count on imports which can be affected by complications like the Russian-Ukraine war.
While there is not much you can do to help bring district heating to your area, you can make use of the available energy-efficient appliances like condensing combi boilers. These boilers have a set of advantages that help set them apart, being compact as they don’t need a water storage tank. They are also highly efficient with efficiency ratings reaching 98%. These boilers are covered by the ECO4 scheme, allowing you to install them for free at your home if you are eligible.
District heating is still crucial and is an important part of the future of the UK heating system. Saying this, there is still nothing you can do in regards to it, and upgrading your current home’s insulation and heating system is the best option available to you. The UK has a target of achieving between 15-18% of its heating through district heating by 2050. This shows that it is an important factor in its Net Zero 2050. District heating can reduce carbon emissions by an average of 3 times. By using methods that include using waste treatment to produce heat, district heating is proven to be a good method that be built upon to create a sustainable future.
In Conclusion:
In the European heating system vs UK heating system, the UK falls short and still has a long way to go. It is still important for homeowners to do their best, by making use of the available support for upgrades. By upgrading your boiler and insulations, or installing a new air source heat pump, you will be contributing towards Net Zero 2050, which is an ambitious goal that we are yet to see if it will be achievable. Many energy companies are willing to help you get the best available upgrades for you, and we can help connect you with the most reliable and customer-oriented ones. Fill in the form here and one of our team will contact you back in less than 24 hours.
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