There are several types of heating system in the UK. The main types are:
- Boilers
- Electric heating
- Low carbon heating
At a glance
- Heating and hot water account for over half of most UK energy bills, making them the biggest opportunity to save energy and money.
- This hub explains different heating options, including boilers, electric heating and low‑carbon systems like heat pumps.
- It covers how to use heating controls and systems efficiently to reduce energy use and improve comfort.
Did you know that over half of your energy bills could be spent on heating and hot water? So, an ideal heating system is one that’s efficient to run.
But you don’t have to have an entirely new system to save money on your energy bills.
Let’s look at your options:
What types of heating system are there?
Boilers
Boilers are the most common heating type in UK homes. They’re usually fuelled by gas or oil, but sometimes liquid petroleum gas (LPG). They heat water that’s sent to a series of radiators, underfloor heating pipes, or a combination of both. This is often called a wet central heating system.
Upgrading a G-rated boiler to an A-rated boiler with full heating controls could save you £420 in Great Britain (GB) and £440 in Northern Ireland (NI).
Electric heating systems
Electric heating uses electricity to warm your home. Depending on the specific type of electric heating, you can either:
- Control each header individually.
- Control the whole system centrally.
Some heaters use electricity at a cheaper rate to store heat for you to use later. Others use electricity when you want to heat the room. Types of electric heating include:
- electric storage heaters
- electric radiators
- electric panel heaters
Wood burners and biomass
Other types of heating
Heat pumps
Low carbon heating like heat pumps can be a good option if you’re looking to replace your current heating system.