There are several types of heating system in the UK:
- Boilers
- Low carbon heating
- Electric 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) or biomass. 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).
Low carbon heating
Low carbon heating like heat pumps can be a good option if you’re looking to replace your current heating system.
They offer:
Lower energy bills
Low carbon heating system like heat pumps are more efficient than traditional heaters like gas boilers and electric radiators. Depending on what system you’re replacing, low carbon heating could save you money on your heating bills.
A lower carbon footprint
Low carbon systems don’t use fossil fuels to heat your home. This means your home’s carbon footprint should be significantly lower than other kinds of heating.
Options to run alongside other renewable technologies
You can use solar panels to generate electricity that can help power a heat pump. This reduces how much electricity you use from the grid, lowering your energy bills and carbon footprint even more.
Heat pumps can work with radiators or underfloor heating, but some types can work without either. For more information, see our heat pump hub.
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
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Written by Jamie Gibbs
Reviewed by Andrew Northcott and Joanna O’Loan