If you’re a UK homeowner with a home built between the 1950s and 1970s, there’s a high likelihood that you may have had or share a warm air heating system. These old state-of-the-art heaters have, in large part, been displaced by newer models, but remain a significant element of British homes today. Discover what a warm air heating system in the UK is, how it works, and if you should replace it to save you money, make your home more energy efficient, and raise your comfort level year-round.
Here at ECO Boiler Grants, we’ve assisted hundreds of UK homeowners with the complexity of upgrading the heating system through government schemes such as ECO4. You may already have an old warm air heating system that’s no longer performing at its best or be looking to swap from your warm air heating system to radiators. This guide gives you all the information you will need to make an informed choice about the future of heating your home.
What Is a Warm Air Heating System and How Does It Work?
A warm air heating system is quite unlike the central heating systems most UK residents are used to today. Rather than water-filled radiators linked to a boiler, a warm air system draws in cold outdoor air through a vent and heats it by blowing it over a gas flame or electric heat exchanger. Once warmed, this air is blown through a system of vents and grills in the form of ductwork, usually hidden under floorboards or along wall skirting.
The elegance of this system is that it is simple! Instead of heating water and then using that heated water to warm up radiators, warm air systems warm the air and circulate it to where it is required. This is why they are so effective at warming up small spaces quickly, and why they were so popular in their time during the 1960s warm air heating system era.
Why Gas Warm Air Heating Systems Were Such a Hit?
It was no coincidence that there was a warm air heating system 1970s boom; Then, most such systems were considered state-of-the-art technology that had a number of benefits over what existed as heating systems at the time. They heated space more efficiently, reacted fast to changes in temperature, while providing heating and ventilation within one system. But with advanced boiler technology and more efficient and reliable wet systems (water-filled radiators), warm air systems fell out of favour in the UK market. The cost of a new warm air heating system can prove that opting for a newer heating system can be the right decision to take.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Warm Air Heating Systems in Modern Homes
Advantages of Warm Air Heating Systems
Looking at the advantages of warm air heating systems will give us a clue why many homeowners still use these systems instead of upgrading to new ones. Its quickest heat response is probably one of the strongest positives because warm air systems heat a room so much quicker than the old radiator systems because they are both heating and circulating the air directly instead of heating the water first.
Energy efficiency is another strong benefit, especially with newer warm air heat systems. Since these systems are not required to first heat water to warm your house, they may respond more quickly to your need for heat and will work even better on well-insulated houses. This efficiency is even greater if you think about how warm air systems can bring you heating and cooling options, so you have effective climatic control throughout the year on one system.
The small space design of warm air space heating must also be taken into account. Without the room installation complexity of radiators, occupants also have greater freedom in furniture arrangement and room space use. The ducts can generally be concealed under floors or behind walls to avoid dirty, unsightly room surfaces many dislike.
From a green point of view, new warm air heating systems, in the form of heat pump models, have substantial carbon savings compared to conventional means of heating. This green advantage is an enticement for the UK government’s push towards net-zero emission and can qualify house owners for a great number of grants and incentives.
Disadvantages and Challenges
However, warm air heating systems have their disadvantages, which is why most UK homes end up replacing warm air heating systems with radiators. The primary issue, common amongst older installations, relates to various health and safety concerns.
There is a fire-resistance issue that affects warm air heating systems installed prior to the 1980s. The older warm air heating system asbestos utilized for ducts and insulation. If you believe your system contains asbestos, it is in your best interest that it be professionally inspected prior to renovation or replacement.
Maintenance of warm air systems can also be more demanding than in conventional boiler systems. Ducts should be cleaned regularly to avoid circulation of dust and debris, and filters replaced every so often to maintain clean air and an efficient system. Failure to undertake this maintenance can result in indoor air quality and system performance issues.
Temperature control is also less accurate with warm air systems than with contemporary radiator systems and thermostatic radiator valves. Although the system temperature can be controlled in general, it is more difficult to adjust a number of different temperatures in different rooms without complex zoning systems.
The expense of installing new warm air heating or performing major repairs can be substantial if ductwork needs to be replaced or added. This aspect will most times lead homeowners to think about other heating options compared to shelling out money for warm air system upgrades.
Are you a homeowner on benefits? Fill in our 1-minute form and check your eligibility for the latest A-rated combi boilers and other heating systems funded for free under the government’s ECO4 scheme.
Is Warm Air Heating Better Than a Traditional Boiler System?
Whether or not warm air heat systems are superior to conventional boiler systems isn’t an easy question – it will be decided by a host of factors such as the insulation, design, and your real heating requirements. Modern gas warm air heat systems can produce very high efficiency rates, especially in well-insulated homes where there is little heat loss.
Old-fashioned radiator-based boiler systems possess some benefits that make them popular in the UK market. They offer dependable, warm heat that people like, and exact room-by-room control via thermostatic radiator valves. Modern combi boilers also offer hot water instantly as well as heating, making separate hot water systems unnecessary. This is the reason behind them being the most popular amongst UK homeowners.
Meanwhile, warm air systems have some advantages. They’re very efficient in open-plan houses where direct air flow can warm vast spaces effectively. They also react very fast in the aspect of temperature adjustment and are therefore ideal for houses that are sometimes heated and not always heated.
Contact us to check your eligibility for GBIS and get free home insulation upgrades.
How ECO4 Can Transform Your Heating
With ECO4 funding, qualifying homeowners can receive grants for a number of forms of heating improvement, including replacement of boilers, insulation, and installation of renewable heating systems. For houses that still have old warm air heating, this could include replacing it with a new combi boiler and radiators, the installation of an air source heat pump, or other modern energy-efficient heating systems.
The cost savings can be significant – what may cost a thousand pounds or more in private funding may be covered for free by ECO4. This is a great chance to upgrade the heating system in your home while saving on your carbon footprint and your energy bills.
Why Opt for ECO Boiler Grants for Your ECO4 Installations
- Our Experience and Reputation
We at ECO Boiler Grants have built our reputation on successfully guiding UK homeowners through the complicated world of government heating schemes and new heating equipment. Our experts understand the unique challenges experienced by homeowners with older warm air central heating, and we have extensive experience in helping them step up to more innovative, efficient ways of heating.Â
2. Total Service from Survey to Install   Â
Our service starts with conducting a careful review of your existing heating equipment and home in order to ascertain the best upgrade options for your unique situation. We realize that all houses are not the same, and we customize our suggestions to meet your exact needs, budget, and lifestyle requirements.
The warm air heating systems replacement cost for radiators or other new modern alternatives is something we do with breakdown costs and a complete specification of everything available. The warm air heating system cost goes beyond maintenance and higher energy bills, it can also cost you higher levels of comfort and healthier living spaces. Our transparent policy means you know precisely what the work is and what grants could be available for you whether under ECO4 or other schemes.
3. Ongoing Support and Maintenance
Our dedication to you goes far beyond installation day. We offer whole aftercare service, from system checks, maintenance tips, to warranty assistance. This regular contact ensures your new heating system keeps on running like a well-oiled machine for many years to come.
Ready to discover more about your heating upgrade possibilities? Find out if you qualify for ECO4 funding by completing our quick online form. It only takes a minute to complete and could cost you thousands less on your replacement heating system.
Conclusion
It is worth understanding warm air heating systems and your options for updating or replacing them in order to make informed decisions about heating your property. While these systems were acceptable for UK houses during the peak of their popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, more modern options bring dramatic advancements in efficiency, reliability, and environmental friendliness.
Whichever system you opt for to replace your current warm air system, the most important thing is to have your choice cover your future needs and claim available government funding under schemes such as ECO4.
Here at ECO Boiler Grants we strive to assist UK homeowners in making these critical decisions with confidence. Through our specialist knowledge of replacement heating systems and familiarity with schemes currently available for financing, we can point you in the right direction based on your individual circumstances. Contact us to learn more!
