The cost of fuel is often confused with the cost of heating. If the heating system is inefficient then even the cheapest fuel will cost the earth to heat up a cold house, factory or office.
This presentation works through the fuel costs; and the system efficiencies in particular and comes to some surprising results. But that’s the whole story... Oil based fuels spiked in Dec 2009 from 30% lower than now to 25% higher. Wood pellets follow the price of oil (!) – though not as dramatically And then we have the boring bits; Efficiency, Controls and Insulation. These can turn the above graph on its head… Efficiency of the boilers/heaters/systems lpg 90-98% oil 90-97% wood pellets 95-98% gas 50-98% coal 20-70% woodchip 60-90% electricity 90-440% (620% in optimum conditions) economy 7 90-440% (620% in optimum conditions) Those incredible figures for electricity are based on heat pumps – ground, air and water source and they’ve improved since 2011. But they don’t work in all situations and typical off the shelf heat pumps work at efficiencies of 180-280%. The efficiencies stated in the UK tend to be optimistic. There is an independent German test we’ve based our figures on – see Institut IES Our previous graph becomes…  Controls? This includes; More thermostats, more sensitive thermostats, managing different zones, working with the outside temperature, switching on and off remotely and automatically – not just time-switched Otherwise typically add 33% to the previous figures Insulation? Wall, ceiling and floor where practical. Otherwise typically add 20% to the previous figures Conclusion Insulate as well as you can. Include in up to date controls. Then look at the fuels options. |
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Typical Heating fuel costs 2011