In modern society, the relentless threat of global warming and its impact on the planet is evident, driven by carbon emissions pumped into the atmosphere at an unprecedented rate.
Rest assured; you can play your part in reducing these emissions. Introducing an air-source heat pump to your home to replace fossil fuel heat sources will start you on the path to reducing your carbon footprint.
The Future of Low Carbon Emissions
As of 2020 one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions comes from the 85% of homes that still use natural gas to heat their properties.
The year 2050 is the UK’s target to reach Net Zero which means that all households in the country need to switch to low-carbon heating.
What is the Carbon Footprint?
Greenhouse gas emissions are measured by collective consumption in four categories: food, travel, home energy use, and other miscellaneous items.
You can check your rating online and begin to see what you can change in your daily life.
Climate Change
Unfortunately, it is these emissions and everyday choices that are having a major impact on climate change.
- The surface and oceans of the planet are becoming increasingly warmer with the acidity of the oceans are increasing the fastest they ever have in the last 65 million years.
- The ice sheets which make up the landmass of the north and south poles are melting due to warming oceans. Wildlife indigenous to these ecosystems are therefore decreasing.
- Sea levels have risen over 20cm in the last century, due to ice sheets melting.
- Catastrophic weather events are becoming more frequent with each passing year.
These are just some of the main aspects of climate change that have an evident impact on the Earth. If carbon emissions continue to grow a worldwide temperature rise of 4.4*C will likely begin. The change will impact risks to water supplies, localised flooding, and even alterations in human health conditions.
Air Source Heat Pumps
- Introducing a heat pump system to your home is a huge first step to take towards a greener world. Not only that, your home will be greener too – using less energy and saving you money!
- Heat pumps take the thermal energy (heat) from the air and use it to heat the home. Even though this process can take longer than a fossil fuel boiler, it is greatly more energy efficient cutting your energy bills down due to using less electricity to heat your home.
- As a renewable energy source, your home will not be burning any fossil fuels to heat your home, therefore contributing to a lower carbon emission.
- If heat pump systems use heat as a source of energy, it can become concerning how they operate in the winter months, when they are most needed. Impressively, they will continue to operate down to temperatures of –15*C.
- They can even be operated remotely, allowing you to control the temperature of your home when you are not there. An ideal feature for winter walks.
- Over 10 years, a heat pump could reduce your CO2 emissions by over 20,000 kg! That’s the same as travelling 112,000 miles on a bus.
Is Global Warming Ever Going to Slow Down?
What we do collectively will have a huge part in the decline of climate change.
Whether we adjust our daily spending habits or make substantial changes to our homes, cutting carbon emissions allows us to prevent further damage to the planet.
By introducing renewable energy to your home, in the form of a heat pump system, you are taking the right steps towards reducing your carbon footprint and making the world a greener place to live.
You may even be entitled to a government grant that will pay for an air source heat pump for your home. An initiative is in place to make more homes across the country more energy efficient. Free Heating Scheme can provide you with more information about the help you could get.