NEWS RELEASE - BEAT A FUTURE BIG FREEZE --
In the coldest, iciest, snowiest winter for a long time, considering how best to heat their home is becoming a priority for many people. With good reason. The whole country has experienced the worst winter conditions for about 30 years, temperatures last night (Thursday 7th January) plunged to -20C in parts of the UK.
The concern is understandable. Firstly, on January 5th, Greg Clarke, the Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister, warned that the country had only 8 days supply of gas left. Despite the fact that the majority of homes rely on gas for their heating, many people do not realise that the UK is not self-sufficient in gas supplies. Indeed, the UK has entered into long-term importation agreements with countries such as the Netherlands, Norway, Malaysia and Qatar.
Lorries bringing supplies of central heating oil are just as subject to the struggle to beat the snow and ice as the rest of us. Coupled to a growing lobby against the use of other fossil fuels like coal, people can be excused for not knowing which way to turn when it comes to keeping warm in their own homes.
It might seem far-fetched but it is possible to heat your home year round by drawing warmth from the air or the ground …even here in the frozen North! This is done by using air source or ground source heat pumps which, put simply, work like refrigerators in reverse. They draw warmth from the air or ground - even when the temperature is many degrees below zero. And, even better, they reduce fuel bills and are environmentally friendly - helping home-owners reduce their carbon footprint.
Natural Warmth of Darlington is the only company in the Tees Valley accredited to the highest industry standards for heat pump installation. The MD is Steve Heslop:
“With gas having to be imported the security of future supplies must be of concern, while other forms of heating, like oil and coal, rely on delivery. They are also not very good for the environment. On the other hand, once heat pumps are installed they are there and ready to work at a moments notice, anytime,” he said.
“What’s more, there is now a real financial incentive to consider them,” added Mr Heslop.” The new boiler scrappage scheme, introduced this week, allied to the financial incentives already available to people seeking to install a low carbon heating system, means that up to £1,600 could be available to people seeking to install heat pumps…all of a sudden they start to look an attractive proposition.”