Choosing central heating systems to match the home

For such a small country, there are plenty of different types of property to choose from in the UK - from rural barn conversions, to listed Tudor houses, to modernist buildings and green homes.

With so much choice, how should Britons go about choosing the best central heating systems to suit their needs?

One ambition which may be driving Britons more than any other when it comes to choosing how to heat their home may be the desire to reduce both their carbon emissions and utility bills.

According to the Guardian, creating a zero-carbon home is no longer a Grand Designs-style dream, but something which is within reach for the majority of homeowners.

But while many houses built within the last decade are likely to feature adequate insulation and a new boiler, many older properties may be lacking these features and people could be concerned about where they stand in carrying out such changes.

Taking such steps could still be advisable, however, with the government committing to slashing the country's carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, which may prompt households to do their bit.

And with 57 per cent of a household's energy use going towards central heating and a further 25 per cent spent heating hot water, updating a property's heating could be a good place to start in both boosting energy efficiency and lowering bills.

"Gas boilers produce 60 per cent of the CO2 from our homes. If your boiler is more than 15 years old then it's likely to be G-rated. Replacing it with an A-rated condensing boiler, with a good thermostat, could cut your heating bills by as much as £235 a year and save 1,300kg of CO2," the Guardian notes.

The Energy Saving Trust also recommends purchasing a gas condensing boiler, but for Britons who live in a rural retreat away from the National Grid, this may not be a possibility and they may wish to look to alternative heating appliances.

Oil boilers, where the oil is stored in a tank on the premises, could be one viable option, but for homeowners keen to do more for the environment, they may wish to consider a biomass boiler.

Biomass boilers are considered a greener option as they use wood pellets to fuel them, which can be purchased from a sustainable source.

Not only does this lead to significantly reduced gas bills, is also means households are relying less on finite resources such as fossil fuels.

And there are also renewable energy solutions that Britons living in both rural and urban properties could consider.

Solar panels can be used to either boost central heating, heat a property's water supply, generate electricity, or, in some cases, a combination of all three.

And it is believed that the government is planning to allow people who generate their own power the opportunity to sell it back to the National Grid.

Air or ground source heat pumps could be another consideration for homeowners who wish to be more eco-conscious.

"[Ground source heat pumps] could save up to 540kg of CO2 and £160 a year if replacing an oil-fired central heating system. Solar thermal systems can be effective even in Britain's temperate climate when used to preheat water for a boiler [...] and will save around £50 a year and 260kg of CO2. Solar photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into electricity [...] and can knock around £200 off your electricity bill annually, saving almost one tonne of CO2 a year," the Guardian notes.

It is worth keeping in mind that planning permission may be required for such additions, particularly should people live in a listed-property, where it is always worth seeking advice before going ahead with any renovations.

But luckily, going green may be set to get easier, with housing and planning minister John Healey recently proposing that Britons hoping to install an air source heat pump to their property be able to do so without first securing planning permission.

In light of this, now may be the best time for Britons to start saving for a new, green central heating system and play their part in helping the country meet its carbon emission reduction targets.