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How Do Home Heating Methods Vary Around the World?

Updating the heating in your home? Get inspiration from countries around the world using different methods to effectively heat their home.

One of the biggest misconceptions about heat pumps is that they are unable to heat homes during the winter season here in the UK, however a little research on the topic will take you a long way and you’ll quickly discover that heat pumps are widely installed in countries across Europe including Norway, Denmark and Sweden - each of which experience far colder winters than those here in Britain.

COP26 was recently held in Glasgow, bringing together 120 world leaders and between 20,000-30,000 delegates from around the globe, all with an interest in working together to reduce the impact of climate change.

As our use of energy is one of the biggest factors contributing to climate change, we wanted we look at how heating in homes differs in countries and how it’s being innovated for a more sustainable way of living.

If you’re currently working on a newbuild or doing a complete renovation on an existing property these methods for heating homes may give you some additional inspiration…

Passivhaus

Germany - Passivhaus

Passivhaus is something you’ve likely heard of before. It’s all about carefully considered building design and material uses that maximise natural energy flows so that minimal heating or cooling is required.

Elements of the design might include summer shading for windows, thermal insulation, draught free roofing and a HRV (heat recovery ventilator) system.

Germany is the pioneer of passivhaus and with over 30 years of tried and tested evidence, it can certainly help to lower your energy bills and provide a more environmentally concious way of living.

Temperature Control

Italy - Controlled Temperatures

Italy has rules in place about when different provinces can use central heating. This includes setting regulations for the maximum temperature heating can be turned up to and for how many hours a day it can be used. These regulations are often dependent on the average seasonal temperatures of the region.

Whilst this measure might seem strict to some, it can encourage a sense of everyone working together and achieving something which has a positive outcome for all.

Russian City

Russia - District Heating

District heating provides heating to over 70% of homes in Russia, making it the country's single largest product market worth an estimated 33 billion US dollars in annual sales. The benefits of district heating is that it removes the need for gas boilers in individual households which brings down living costs for homeowners for the replacement of a boiler or annual servicing.

Iceland Geothermal Spring

Iceland - Geothermal Water

Geothermal water heats around 90% of the homes in Iceland, also keeping streets and pavements snow and ice-free. The water is pumped straight to the taps of the homes via boreholes that vary in depth from 200 to 2000m. The water is cooled and purified to also provide drinking water.

It’s estimated that this natural heating solution saves Iceland £50 million in imported fossil fuels a year.

Korea Ondol Chimney

Korea - Ondol

Ondol is considered to be the original version of underfloor heating, developed in the Bronze Age around (900-800 BC). Pipes are laid underneath the floor in homes, connected to a fireplace. When the fire is lit, the smoke slowly travels through the pipes, warming the room and keeping the heat even after the fire has been put out. This technology has been updated with modern building and safety regulations in mind, and it reflects how effective underfloor heating is, whether it’s powered by biomass, coal or a heat pump.

If you’re building a new property or renovating an existing one and you have questions about the best way to heat your home, get in touch for information on some of your options using renewable technology.



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