Energy costs are rising. As of October 2025, the annual average bill under the price cap is about £1,755. Overall, household energy bills are approximately 43% higher than in winter 2021/2022. For most homes, switching to an energy-efficient electric system now saves more money than trying to maintain an outdated boiler.
Energy-efficient heating systems are usually electric. They use heat pumps, specialised boilers, solar panels, and other devices to give you the same level of heating with less energy. That’s not just good for the environment; it’ll bring down your heating bills as well.
In this is guide we’ll cover:
- Types of Energy Efficient Systems
- Why Energy Efficiency Matters to You
- Grant Eligibility
- How To Future-Proof Your Home with Premium Heating Plumbing & Cooling
Types of Energy Efficient Systems
Energy-efficient heating systems come in all shapes and configurations, depending on how much you want to invest or changes you want to make.
Here are the most common, practical options for UK homes:
- Heat pumps. These pull heat from the air or ground and are incredibly efficient. They can cut running costs dramatically.
- Condensing boilers. A modern, high-efficiency boiler that recycles heat that would normally be wasted. Great if you’re not ready to switch from gas just yet.
- Biomass boilers. These burn wood pellets or chips instead of fossil fuels, making them ideal for rural or off-grid homes.
- Hybrid systems (boiler + heat pump). A mix of old and new technology that automatically chooses the most efficient heat source.
- Solar-assisted heating. Solar panels can help power your hot water or heating, reducing your reliance on the grid.
- Underfloor heating. Works perfectly with heat pumps or efficient boilers and gives you an even, comfortable heat.
Each option has different upfront costs, space requirements, and suitability, but all aim to deliver heat more efficiently and sustainably.
Why Energy Efficiency Matters to You
Lower Energy Bills
The most obvious benefit of an energy-efficient system is lower energy bills. If you can heat your home while using less fuel, you can save costs. Modern systems achieve this by using fuel more efficiently. Less heat is lost, or the heat comes from low-cost sources, e.g., air or ground in the case of heat pumps.
Moreover, advanced controls and thermostats reduce waste. You only turn the heating on when necessary, providing cost savings without compromising on warmth.
Improved Comfort for You and Your Home
Energy-efficient heating systems, like electric central heating, aren’t just cost-effective. They’re usually more advanced, precision systems. You get consistent, even heating throughout your home, and most systems run far more quietly than older gas boilers. That means quieter, faster, and overall better results. Plus, when you adjust the temperature, you’ll get almost instantaneous effects.
Help to Reduce Your Environmental Impact
Ever more consumers are environmentally conscious. We want to lower our eco-footprint alongside our energy bills. Thankfully, the two go hand in hand.
Energy-efficient heating systems lower carbon emissions, contributing to a greener household. In fact, electric heating (combined with solar panels) is as carbon-neutral as modern systems can get. Add in heat pumps, and your annual emissions can plummet compared to gas heating systems.
Increase the Value of Your Property
Buyers are increasingly after smarter, efficient, modern heating systems. No one wants a good deal on a home only to have an outdated heating system with sizeable annual costs (or that’s just about to break down).
A modern, reliable, and energy-efficient heating system is a major plus. Here’s what you can expect:
- Installing a new boiler might raise a property’s value by around 4%.
- Underfloor heating (paired with efficient energy systems) can boost your property’s value by £4,000 in perceived value in winter listings.
- Approximately 70% of UK homebuyers would be willing to pay more for already installed low-carbon heating.
Fewer Repairs and Lower Maintenance Costs
Newer systems are less likely to break down. It’s not just that they’re newer. They’re built with more durable components that provide long-term reliability compared to ageing boilers and furnaces. No one wants to deal with a boiler that can break at any moment, not least for the stress of getting a replacement.
Are You Eligible for a Grant?
Installing a new energy-efficient heat pump or electric heating system sounds expensive. But with the right government scheme, it can reduce upfront costs substantially.
If you’re looking to upgrade your heating system, several UK government schemes can help cut the cost:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England & Wales). Offers grants of up to £7,500 for air-source or ground-source heat pumps, and £5,000 for biomass boilers.
- Warm Homes: Local Grant (England). Provides free energy-efficiency upgrades for eligible low-income households, including insulation, heat pumps, and smart controls.
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO4). Requires major energy suppliers to fund improvements in qualifying homes, such as better heating systems and insulation.
Even with the grant, it might seem like a steep initial investment; however, long-term, these energy-efficient systems more than pay for themselves. If you’re unsure which scheme you qualify for, we can check for you in minutes.
Premium Heating Plumbing & Cooling handles grant-funded work in partnership with government schemes. You don’t have to fill out all the paperwork for yourself. Instead, we submit the grant claim directly to the scheme provider, letting you know if the grant is approved. We’ll then discount the installation cost. You only cover the portion that isn’t funded.
Future-Proof Your Home with Premium Heating Plumbing & Cooling
Stricter energy regulations are coming. As the government moves towards a low-carbon economy, homeowners (already pressured by rising energy bills) will need to switch over to energy-efficient systems.
But that’s not a bad thing: lower costs, better results, and a smaller environmental footprint. Once you’re over the initial investment, it’s worth every penny. Future-proofing your home also ensures compatibility with the next generation of smart home technologies as well as integration with renewable energy.
Switching to a heat pump or electric central heating will transform your home (and your bills). You’ll wonder why you didn’t switch sooner.
Ready to upgrade? Speak to us today and start planning a smarter, more efficient heating system for your home.