A Heat Pump is not the Solution to My £1,000 Monthly Heating Bill – Exploring a Net Zero Makeover

Juliette faces £1,000 monthly heating bills for her Somerset home. Despite electric heating from renewables, her solid stone walls and floors make insulation expensive. Her energy performance certificate (EPC) rating is F.

Renovating for efficiency is costly – potentially £45,000 for new windows, doors, boiler etc. The thick, solid walls provide insulation equivalent to only 15mm of Rockwool versus 150-200mm in modern homes. This slows heating.

Proposed solutions:

– Insulate walls internally with Celotex – £4,000-14,000. Could save £600 annually and raise EPC 12 points.

– Replace single-glazed windows with double-glazed UPVC – £3,300-6,500. Possible £628 annual savings and 7 EPC points.

As there’s no gas supply, specialized heating is needed. Alternatives to the electric boiler are:

– Air source heat pump – £7,000-13,000. Higher efficiency, potential long-term savings.

– High temperature heat pump with radiator upgrades and new hot water cylinder – £14,000. Return on investment in under 4 years.

Moisture management is essential during renovations to prevent issues.

Further savings possible by adding:

– Solar panels and battery storage – £11,000 outlay. £821 annual savings, huge cut in carbon emissions.

In summary, although the initial investment is substantial, upgrading insulation, switching heating systems and harnessing solar can result in financial savings, comfort and environmental gains long-term for Juliette’s home. The journey to net zero is viable despite high costs.