EU Solutions

With fuel prices at an all-time high and grants now available for microgeneration, many self-builders are keen to look at alternative strategies for home heating. Mark Brinkley explores the options, including ground source heat pumps, combined heat and power, solar panels and biomass boilers.

Good ventilation is seen as a key factor in determining indoor air quality and a built-in vacuum is the perfect solution for those with dust allergies. H&R examines the options, including standard ventilation, mechanical ventilation and heat revovery (MVHR) and built-in vacuums.

A heat pump is a device that moves heat from one place to another. It can be used to make things either hot or cold and it is the technology built into all the world’s refrigerators and air conditioning systems. Heat pumps are all the rage amongst the eco set - but does this innovative technology offer an answer to all self-builders?

To help you decide if heat pumps are right for you, Mark Brinkley takes a look at the important financial implications of using a heat pump, from the initial set-up costs to the issue of payback.

Mark Brinkley explains the key factors to consider when choosing the heating system for your new home. Are radiators right for you, or would you like to try an alternative heating method? Plus we asked three different heating experts to specify the best system for five typical projects.