How renewable energy can help the UK reach net zero

Like many countries around the world, the UK are intent on lowering their carbon emissions. More specifically, the government has outlined 2050, as the year they want to reach net zero.  

However, to turn this goal into reality, it’s becoming increasingly necessary to transition away from fossil fuels. The reason for this is, when gas and coal are burned, they release greenhouse gases into the environment, which ultimately get stuck in our atmosphere. Instead of using fossil fuels to generate electricity, there are renewable energy systems available, which are typically powered by the likes of solar energy, wind power and biomass.  

The most popular renewable energy source for domestic purposes are solar panels. A material that’s often used in solar panels, is photovoltaics, usually abbreviated to PV. Solar panels work by consuming the sun’s energy, before converting it into electricity that can be used in your home. Solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to work, although, to ensure they work at their best, you need a south facing roof, and one that isn’t shaded.  

After you get past the initial cost of solar panels, your electricity bill will be lower. This is because solar panels make use of the sun’s energy, which is free. Installing solar panels on your home, will also mean you’re contributing to the collective target of net zero.  

If you’ve ever driven around the UK at length, you’ll probably be familiar with the sight of wind farms. These farms are full of wind turbines, which generate electricity when the wind forces the blades to turn.  

Generally, wind power isn’t a suitable option if you live in a built-up area, like a city. However, if you live in an isolated area, wind power could be an ideal source of renewable energy. Like with solar panels, wind turbines can help to lower your carbon emissions. Also, wind is free, so once you’ve paid off your wind turbine installation fee, you’ll be well on the way to saving money on your electricity bills.  

Biomass is another common source of renewable energy, that is used to heat UK homes. Essentially, biomass is a plant or animal-based material, that’s burnt to provide homes with heating and hot water. A popular biomass material is wood, usually found in the form of either pellets, chips or logs.  

There are two main types of biomass heating systems that are commonly acquired for domestic purposes. One of these is a stove, which can be optimised to heat a single room. The other is a boiler, which burns logs, pellets or chips, and is also connected to a central heating and hot water system. 

As biomass heating systems are fairly large in size, you’ll need a spacious home. Although, burning biomass fuels releases carbon dioxide, it’s at a lower level compared to fossil fuels. As long as new plants continue to grow, it will still be deemed as a sustainable process. 

Outside of solar energy, wind power and biomass, there are several other renewable energy sources available. The addition of a micro-combined heat and power unit will allow you to produce heat and electricity for your home. Hydropower can also be utilised to generate electricity for lighting household appliances.   

Over an extended period, the water in your pipes, boiler and radiators leave behind unwanted by-products. When sludge, rust and debris get left in your central heating system, it can lead to blockages and then corrosion. This can cause components of your heating system to become inefficient or even break down, potentially resulting in the need for a replacement boiler in the future. Using a powerflush is a popular method of removing this sludge from your heating system.

With annual servicing and maintenance checks, a powerflush should only be necessary every five years. Although, this will depend on the system you have, as some boilers use copper heat exchangers, which corrode quicker than stainless steel.

Your heating system might need a powerflush if you are experiencing problems with your radiators. For example, if your radiators are either slow to heat up, leaking or have cold patches, then your heating system is not working as efficiently as it could do.

Other signs that your heating system could do with a powerflush, include excessive noise from the boiler or the heating system pump, cloudy tap water and if your boiler regularly shuts down and needs restarting.

To begin with, an engineer will connect a pump to your central heating system. This pump will push special chemicals into the pipes, boiler and radiators, with the intention of removing any sludge and rust. The engineer will then collect and dispose of any contaminated water, debris or particles that come out of the system. It might also be necessary for the engineer to use special tools on the exterior of the radiator to dislodge stubborn blockages.

Depending on several factors, including the number of radiators in your home, the age of your system and the severity of the sludge, the process can last anytime from six to ten hours, although some of the more extreme cases may require longer. The engineer may find more problems than originally anticipated such as needing new parts to replace those that have been damaged beyond repair.

After a powerflush, your heating system will react positively. Your radiators should show signs of improvement, by heating up quicker and reaching higher temperatures. This is a good indicator that your system is working more efficiently, resulting in cheaper energy bills. Generally, your heating system should make less noise, especially your boiler and radiators. Finally, a powerflush will make your system more reliable, meaning there is less chance of future breakdowns, leading to an increased lifespan.

In extreme cases, it can be more cost-effective to replace your heating system, instead of carrying out a powerflush. If a blockage has caused a part to break, then a powerflush will not solve the problem as this procedure cannot fix broken parts.

When you start experiencing problems with your heating system, it is important to have a heating engineer assess the situation to see whether a powerflush is a viable option or not.