Warm Air Heating and a Greener Future

Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges facing our world today. To achieve Net Zero we need to change the way we heat our homes, how we live and work and move around. We need to use energy more sustainably.

Our Commitment

Always looking to the future, Johnson & Starley are building plans for our heating products to help towards the Net Zero target. It may be hydrogen, heat pumps or another environmentally friendly heat source, but we aim to ensure our customers can get there with us, and retain their warm air heating.

Industry legislation

We have all seen the headlines stating that gas warm air heaters/boilers are being banned from 2025. So let us explain this in more context.

The 2025 deadline is only for 'New Build' properties, not existing homes. However after 2035 should your warm air heater or boiler fail, and should parts no longer be available, you will have to purchase a carbon friendly alternative.

So even if your property is built in 2024, the ban will not apply, although most property developers are already starting to move away from natural gas in readiness for the change by utilising electric heating, solar panels and heat pumps.

So why are these developers not looking at Hydrogen? That is because there has been no final decision on its use as yet, although it does now look very possible but not with a 100% usage all at once.

In the Governments 'Heat & Building Strategy' released October 2021, the Government stated that 'We will explore the potential to use hydrogen for heating buildings in the next few years to inform a strategic decision on the role of hydrogen in decarbonising heat in 2026'

What the Government have discussed and Johnson & Starley and other manufacturers envisaged will happen is that a blend of gases will be used. This will be 20% Hydrogen and 80% Natural Gas. So 20% Hydrogen will be introduced into the gas supply.

Most modern gas fired heaters will be compatible with this mix and the transition will be similar to the change from Town Gas to Natural Gas that was undertaken between 1967 - 1977.

How you can help reduce your carbon footprint and fuel bills

Up to a third of the UK's carbon emissions are coming from our homes, with 15% of that from our home heating. A few simple changes can help reduce your carbon emissions, and also your fuel bills.

Upgrade your Warm Air Heating. Older heaters are only about 65/70% efficient.
Turn your heating down by 1⁰C. Set your room thermostat between 18-21⁰C
Check the timer for your heating and hot water, do you need it on that long.
Dont leave your heating on low all day
Close your curtains or blinds
Dont block your wall grilles or registers and don't dry washing in front of vents or over radiators

Understanding Net Zero

The term 'Net Zero' means achieving a balance between the carbon emitted in to the atmosphere, and the carbon that is removed from it. Net Zero being the balance left when one is removed from the other.

For the UK to reach Net Zero, the emissions from homes, industry, agriculture and transport will need to be cut. Basically, these sectors have got to reduce the amount of carbon they put into the atmosphere. However, in some areas, such as aviation it is going to be complex and/or expensive to cut emissions altogether.

This means that these 'residual' emissions will need to be removed from the atmosphere, either by changing how we use the land so it can absorb more carbon dioxide, or by the use of 'carbon capture' technologies.

Why was 2050 set as a date?

If we are to reach this target by this date, then we need to make considerable changes before then, ideally before 2030. If the UK can get other countries to follow our lead and reach Net Zero emissions by 2050, the committee on Climate Change advise that there would be a 50% change of avoiding a catastrophic 1.5c temperature rise by the end of 2100.

2050 is seen as a realistic date for Net Zero to be achieved, whilst trying to balance the need to take action with the impact on the economy it is bound to have.

Different parts of the UK have different dates for their carbon targets. Wales was aligned with the UK target of 2050 whilst Scotland has committed to 2045. Northern Ireland has been advised by the Committee on Climate change to cut their carbon emissions by at least 82% by 2050. This is taking into account that the country's agricultural emissions would likely prevent it from reaching Net Zero in the next 30 years.

Is Net Zero Possible?

It is a very bold and ambitious target that is going to require significant changes within the next 10 years if the UK is going to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions to Net Zero by the middle of the century. UK emissions have already reduced from 1990 levels, but we need to change the way we use energy in our lives and there is still a long way to go. (Energy Savings Trust)

Celebrating 100 years of warming your home