Off Grid Heating: How to Warm Your Off Grid Home

As England is a cold country and has cold weather for 2/3rds of the year, having a well-heated home off grid is essential, and yet about 15% of homes in the UK do not have a link to a mains gas grid. The duration of these homes is off-grid.

In this article, we will give you all the essential information you need for off grid heating in your home, both in the winter and summer. We will also suggest methods you can easily use to help keep your home warm at low, affordable prices.

We will explore the following:

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How to add off grid heating without gas or electricity?

The traditional ways in which people heat their homes is through gas or electricity. However, off-grid homes do not usually have this luxury; if they do, it is at an excessive price.

So, what are the best ways for off grid home heating without mainline gas or electricity?

1. Cover up cracks/crevices in walls: The usual case as to why heat can escape through a house is through unsealed cracks in the walls. By sealing up cracks and crevices with secure tape or sealant, you will easily save at least an extra 10% of heat in your off-grid home.
2. Invest in double/triple glazing: this is when two or more layers of glass window panels are separated to reduce heat escaping a building structure. Installing double or triple glazing will significantly reduce the risk of losing heat in your home.
3. Use thick curtains: thick curtains will help reduce heat escaping through your windows.
4. Let in sunlight throughout the day: This method is the least cost-effective, but it does not mean it will achieve great results, although it will help add an extra bit of heat to your off-grid home for the price of nothing.
5. Maintain the efficiency of your chimney: As most houses will have had chimneys installed over a long period of time, sometimes the heat can also escape through the bricks. Therefore, it is worth getting your chimney checked, so make sure it is fully sealed, and you are not losing out on heating.
6. Shut unused rooms: Another simple, effective method to save on heat is to shut the doors to unused rooms. Doing this will help contain the heat inside the rooms and make your home less cold, even if windows in the unused rooms are open.
7. Use extra layers: By wearing thick clothing like dressing gowns and pyjamas will easily help to keep you warm, and if you get too hot, then you can easily remove them. A cost-effective way of saving on heating.

The best off grid heating systems

Whilst living off-grid has many perks, such as avoiding overspending on gas and electricity, as well as other utilities, it can be a good price to buy to live a life of solitude. However, installation and pricing can be the biggest issue when installing a new heating system, but this is only a one-time concern.

Here are some of the most popular and recommended heating systems that might be suitable for off grid heating in your home:

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1.    Biomass boilers

Biomass is an alternative form of renewable energy, created by burning organic matter like wood, household waste and plants. Using a biomass boiler is also an efficient way of burning less carbon dioxide, unlike fossil fuels.

Traditionally, wood pellets are used as a fuel source which helps provide hot water and heating.

Pros	Cons
It uses more natural methods to produce heat, such as logs and wood pellets.	Steep upfront costs but it is only a one-time payment.
Cheaper to run.	They need more space than standard boilers.
Better for the environment.
Biomass boilers operates at an efficiency of 89-91%, like that of normal boilers.	Need to keep fuel stored nearby.

Click here to find Biomass Boilers available to buy

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2.    Underfloor heating

Underfloor heating is a great, practical way of saving on heat and can transition over from typical radiator systems.

You can get hot water underfloor heating and electric underfloor heating, but these depend on what suits you more, but both are exceptional towards heating your off-grid home more.

Additionally, you will find that underfloor heating has become increasingly effective considering the current cost of living crisis. Installing underfloor heating will help reduce heating bills massively.

Underfloor heating can be run off-grid, and can also be connected to solar power, for example, to make it more efficient for your heating at a cheaper price.

Underfloor heating equipment we have to offer

Pros	Cons
Minimum effort is needed to keep the running	Variable installation costs
No maintenance required
Take up less space compared to radiators	Time and effort (will only be a one-time issue)
Practical for all floor coverings
Easy to install	Retrofitting: can affect floor heights

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3. Heating pumps

Although heating pumps do not produce heat, they help to redistribute heat from the ground or air, alongside a refrigerant that helps to circulate the heat within an indoor fan coil unit to compress the heat. This method is useful for off grid heating since heating pumps also works vice versa, so that when in cooling mode, the pump can absorb heat from inside your off-grid home and release it outside.

There are two types of heating pumps you can usually find: Air Source Heat Pumps and Ground Source Heat Pumps.

Heating pumps available:

• Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP): This process converts and compresses refrigerated air into heat (as high as 80°C) and can operate to extract heat from temperatures like -20°C.

• Ground Source Heat Pumps (aka geothermal heat pump): Harvests ground source from under the Earth and converts this energy into heating and hot water. Consistently energy efficient and can minimise costs and carbon if paired with solar PV or battery storage.

	Pros	Cons
Air Source Heat Pumps	Cheap to run.   Energy-efficient up to 300-500%	There is more effort needed to install as it has indoor and outdoor components.   Need space on external walls for a fan unit to operate.   Installation price ranges between £9,000 – £15,000
Ground Source Heat Pumps	These can last up to 20 years.   Operates quietly.   They need minimum maintenance.	Takes up more outdoor space.   Installation price ranges between £12,000 – £20,000

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4. Solar Heating

Solar heating works by capturing and converting energy from the sun. You can retrofit solar panels onto your roof, and this process directs heat into individual rooms or preheat them using the air from the heat recovery ventilator.

Solar heating also works better for hot water rather than just heating but can help preheat other heating systems, and is therefore an adequete option for off grid heating in your home.

Pros	Cons
This helps to reduce your carbon footprint.	It can give unbalanced levels of heating and hot water.
Cheaper than heat pumps to install; between £3,000 – £6,000   70-90% efficient.	Work better with traditional/biomass boilers, meaning you also need to take time to have these installed.

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Simple Off grid Heating Methods

Overall, living off-grid can be a challenge to get away from the hubbub of the city, but those willing to adapt know that it will be worth it towards living a greener and more energy-efficient lifestyle.

There are various options towards improving off grid heating in your home, and it is up to you, which option you want to consider, although our experts suggest that underfloor heating is the most productive way to make the most out of heating in your off-grid home.

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Check out our wide range of electric underfloor heating materials.

FAQs

Sources

Rural Energy. (n.d.). Domestic Biomass Boilers [Online – accessed 01/12/22]. Available at:: https://www.ruralenergy.co.uk/product/domestic-biomass-boilers