As of 2021, there were estimated to be 4.4 million homes not connected to a gas grid, accounting for around 15% of domestic properties – many of which use carbon-intensive oil or LPG systems.

The Future Homes Standard 2025 also dictates that new homes cannot be connected to the gas grid. As a result, there is a need for more environmentally friendly heating systems for use in off-grid homes.

Retrofit

When retrofitting more environmentally friendly heating systems in an off-grid home, there are different electrical solutions available depending on the requirements of the homeowner and their property.

Some options are already widely used, namely electric boilers, ground and air source heat pumps (ASHP), and hot water cylinders.

When retrofitting low-carbon solutions, installers can help homeowners understand that energy efficiency improvements may need to be considered at the outset to maximise performance. For the same reason, accurate sizing will also be a priority to ensure efficient operation. Options such as high-temperature heat pumps may also prove more suitable for some homes.

Homeowners could also use solar panels in conjunction with batteries or a solar PV cylinder to make further use of cheaper off-peak electricity to heat water before it is needed. Pairing electrical heating solutions with energy storage can be a great way of securing energy independence off grid.

Installers may also want to raise awareness of the role smart controls can play in monitoring and controlling heating systems without input from the home’s occupants. As well as helping to comply with the Building Regulations, these devices allow homeowners to schedule their heating to come on each day at times to suit their lifestyle.

Before choosing an electric heating solution, it is important installers consider whether customers’ heating requirements will suit their electricity tariff in terms of running costs. This is why taking stock of the whole house is critical.

Looking beyond the heating source alone to ensure homeowners secure the appropriate system to complement the existing fabric of their property is vital. Approaching each installation with a ‘whole-house solution’ mindset accounts for features such as insulation that will impact the workload on heating systems.

New homes and self-build

As the Future Homes Standard dictates that no new build homes can be connected to the gas mains grid, this opens up the opportunity to design and build new properties around a renewable heating source. But, again, there are key considerations when choosing a heating source for a new build or self-build property, including system design and efficiency-driving measures.

When the Hayes family, owners of a 2,600ft² three-bedroom self-build property in Suffolk, were looking for a heating and hot water system capable of operating off grid, their local heat pump installer turned to Baxi for one of its latest air source heat pump solutions.

The new property was well insulated and as energy efficient as possible – the perfect conditions for a heat pump. After carrying out detailed heat loss calculations on the property, the engineer recommended the Baxi HP40 11kW ASHP with a 250l hot water cylinder. This solution feeds the underfloor heating, which can emit 11kW of heat even on the coldest of days.

When it came to commissioning the ASHP, the installer worked closely with Baxi’s highly trained commissioning engineers, enlisting their help to commission the setup and ensure optimal performance and efficiency.

Living with heat pumps

Since having the ASHP installed, the Hayes family have benefited from comfortable temperatures and a quiet outdoor unit, even through a cold winter. The homeowners have also been able to mitigate any risk of high energy costs due to its thermal efficiency. Reducing heat loss as much as possible through insulation and airtightness to suit the low flow temperature of the heat pump solution means that electricity consumption in the property has been kept to a minimum.

Emma Hayes said: “We were a bit concerned that noise would be an issue, but in fact we hardly notice it’s on, even in the winter months. It’s actually quieter than the boiler in our previous house!”

The heat pump is also connected to Baxi’s uSense smart room thermostat, giving the occupants complete control over the temperature in their home via the smartphone app. This provides the optimal space heating from low flow temperature solutions, evenly heating rooms as required throughout the day while the insulation retains the heat.

Preparing for the future

Any increases in both new build and self-build properties means fewer homes will be connected to the gas grid, ramping up the search for electric and low-carbon heating solutions. To stay ahead of the curve and remain relevant in a competitive market, engineers should look to upskill and train in the installation, commissioning, and maintenance of ASHPs.