Home owners in Exeter urged to turn to renewables to avoid rocketing oil prices

Following the coldest March for 49 years, home owners in rural areas surrounding Exeter are being urged to think about installing renewable heating systems as a way of beating rocketing oil prices and ensuring future fuel security.

People living in homes reliant on oil, LPG, solid fuel or electric storage systems in EX postcode areas are being targeted as part of a pilot scheme to encourage those whose homes are not connected to the gas supply to move to renewable heating systems, such as air source heat pumps as a way of cutting both fuel bills and carbon emissions.

Rising international demand for oil and coal, plus falling UK production of gas put pressure on energy prices, which rose again last year, with most major energy suppliers increasing prices by 6‑11% in Autumn 2012. That trend is unlikely to change in the near future and consumers are being urged to shop around for the best value energy provider.

But very often those living in rural areas such as those around Exeter are unable to reduce their fuel costs easily as their homes are not connected to the cheaper gas grid and they are reliant on oil or solid fuel deliveries to heat their homes. And with forecasts suggesting that household bills could rise significantly in the next 18 months, the situation is only set to get worse for these home owners, who are already paying well above average for their heating fuel.

However, renewable heating systems, such as air source heat pumps, are increasingly being viewed as a highly energy efficient and cost effective way to heat a home. They take heat from the outside air and turn it into heating for the home – even when it’s freezing outside. They also negate the need for expensive and unreliable oil or solid fuel deliveries, and the associated high up front purchase costs. That is why selected households in EX post code areas will receive a pack through the post any day now to explain how renewable heating systems could help reduce soaring fuel bills.

Peter Verkempynck, Managing Director of Daikin UK, one of the country’s leading suppliers of renewable energy air source heat pumps explains: “Home owners are often told to shop around for the cheapest energy supplier. However, if your heating relies on local oil or coal suppliers, it can be hard to reduce your fuel bills.

“This is where renewable energy technologies, such as air source heat pumps, come in. They provide a greener source of energy, lowering a home’s carbon footprint, when compared to oil, coal or LPG.

“With Government funding recently announced to help with installation costs, home owners can protect their families from the worst of the price rises and improve their fuel security.”

Figures from the Energy Saving Trust back up Verkempynck’s claims. They suggest that air-to-water heat pumps can save around £600 a year when replacing electric heating systems, or approximately £300 when replacing oil – resulting in typical heating bills being up to 40% lower.

However potential savings vary dramatically and may be much greater depending on the type of heat pump chosen and the size of system required.

Grants are available from the Government in the form of the Renewable Heat Premium Payments scheme, which offers £850 towards the cost of an air source heat pump. When moving to renewables householders are urged to choose MCS accredited products installed by an MCS accredited installer to be sure to qualify for the grant.