Energy usage and low carbon home heating options in Jersey

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​How energy and heating is used in Jersey​ 

Energy is supplied in Jersey through electricity, gas, and petroleum products. Most of Jersey’s energy supply is imported. For example, electricity mainly comes from France from nuclear and hydroelectric sources.

In 2024, Jersey's energy supply came from two main sources:

• liquid fuels made up​ 59%
  
• electricity accounted for 41%

The data also showed that 39% of Jersey’s energy was used by households and 33% was used for transport.

In 2024, Jersey's final energy consumption was made up of three main sources:

• liquid fuels accounted for 57%
• electricity accounted for 40%
• gas accounted for 3%

More details on the energy trends in Jersey can be found in the report

Energy trends 2024​

In Jersey, most homes use three main heating fuels:

• decarbonised electricity. This is electricity produced through the use of renewable energy sources or other low-carbon technologies
• oil
  
• liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

The 2024 Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey found that homes are heated using the following fuels:

• 66% use electricity
• 26% use oil
• 6% use gas

Jersey Opinions and Life​style Survey Report 2024 

Low carbon heating systems​

Unlike traditional oil or gas boilers, low-carbon heating systems use renewable energy or decreased amounts of fossil fuels to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.​

Air source heat pumps​

Air source heat pumps use electricity to draw heat from the air and transfer it into a property. They provide:

Currently, heat pump technology is advancing quickly meaning that heat pumps can now operate at higher temperatures. This makes them suitable for a wider range of property types.

Advantages of air source heat pumps​ include:

• highly efficient. You can potentially get 3 to 4 times as much heat in return for every unit of electricity you use
  
• reduces carbon emissions
• provides heating. It can also provide cooling if connected to an Air Conditioning Unit

Disadvantages of air source heat pumps include:

• high upfront cost
• less effective in freezing conditions
• best suited for well-insulated properties

Read more about Air Source Heat Pumps on the ​Energy Saving Trust website.

Electric flow boilers

Electric flow boilers use electricity to heat water which can be used for:

• radiators
• underfloor heating systems
• hot water

Advantages of electric flow boilers include:

• compact
• low maintenance
• cheaper to install if existing electric supply can cope with the additional demand 

Disadvantages electric flow boilers include:

• may result in higher running costs compared to some other heating systems
• may require an upgrade to your electricity supply which can add to the cost of the installation

Electric panel radiators

Electric Panel Radiators heat individual rooms by warming surrounding air. Electric radiators are usually connected to the property’s main electricity supply. They are designed to be switched on any time you need heat.

Advantages include:

• easy to install
• low upfront cost
• room-by-room control

Disadvantages include:

• uneven heating
• can have high operating costs with frequent use
• no hot water function

Electric storage heaters

Electric storage heaters store heat during off-peak hours for daytime use, which are usually connected to the property’s main electricity supply.

Advantages include:

• reduces electricity costs
• can heat water when paired with an immersion tank on appropriate tariff

Disadvantages include:

• ​bulky
• ​less control over heat release
• can be expensive if used during peak hours

Underfloor heating

There are two types of underfloor heating:

• Piped underfloor heating
  
• Electric mat underfloor heating

This system delivers gentle heat beneath floors using water pipes. The system pipes hot water generated from a separate heat source under the floor, radiating heat to warm rooms from the ground up.

Advantages include:

• energy efficient
• even heat distribution
  
• saves wall space as radiators not needed

Disadvantages include:

• installation can be disruptive
• it is slower to heat up
• may not be suitable for all flooring types

Electric mat underfloor heating

This system delivers gentle heat beneath floors using electric cables. An electric mat system uses thin mats which connect to the electricity supply. The heat radiates through the floor and warms rooms from the ground up.

Advantages include:

• energy efficient
• even heat distribution
• saves wall space
• quicker to install than piped systems
• can be laid directly on existing floor with floor finishes applied over it

Disadvantages include

• installation can be disruptive
• not suitable ​for all flooring types
• heat may not last as long as piped systems, once turned off 

Read more about Electric heating options on the Energy Sa​ving Trust website.​​

Upgrading to a low carbon​ heating system

Low-carbon options are available if you want to replace or upgrade your fossil fuel boiler.

Now is a good time to consider switching as there are various schemes available to help with this change.

We recommend contacting​ a qualified heating engineer for guidance before deciding to switch.

Preparing to upgrade your heating system

You may not be ready to switch your fossil fuel boiler just yet; however, it will need to be replaced in the future.

Planning ahead can help. For example, if you are planning to redecorate your home, it's a smart time to upgrade your heating system too. This could be new pipes or thermostats. Doing both together can save time, cut costs, and reduce disruption.

Knowing what is available will help you make the best choice for your property.

• find out more about Energy Performance Certificates​
• find out more ​about the Low carbon heating incentive​

Below are steps you can take now to prepare for upgrading your homes heating efficiency.​

Check your radiator size

If you want to replace your fossil fuel boiler, having correct radiator size for your space could:

• help improve how well your home is heated
• effect the efficiency of your alternative option

A qualified heating engineer will be able to help you check if you have the right sized heaters or radiators.

Improve your homes insulation

Good insulation keeps your home warm and reduces energy costs. Check your walls, roof, and floors for any gaps. 

Roughly a third of the heat lost in an uninsulated or poorly insulated home escapes through the walls.  This can be fixed by using wall and cavity insulation and could considerably reduce your heating costs and make your home more comfortable.

Loft insulation can last over 25 years making it an effective way to reduce heat loss throughout your home.

Insulating your ground floor and making it draught-proof can help retain heat.

Understanding how well insulated your home is can help you decide if additional insulation is needed, the right system size required and the type.

Check your homes energy efficiency through a Home Energy Audit​.

Find more information on energy sa​ving advice.

Installing heating control thermo​stats

Heating controls let you decide when and how to heat your home. They make sure your heating works only when and where it’s needed. This can mean:

• more comfort
  
• lower energy bills
  
• fewer carbon emissions

They range from basic thermostats to smart thermostat systems you can control using an app. Upgrading your controls can:

• improve efficiency
• extend the life of your boiler, heat pump, or electric system
• make your home fit around your lifestyle

There are various types of heading controls available and listed in the table below:

​

Considerations before changing your heating system

​Low carbon heating systems can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can improve energy efficiency. When converting from fossil fuel systems to low carbon heating systems, it can help fight climate change.

They are a reliable heat source and may lower your energy costs. You can get an estimate of the running costs for different heating systems by contacting a heating contractor. If you are applying for the Low Carbon Heating Incentive, you must use a CQS​ accredited contractor.

Knowing your household heating needs will help to determine which heating solution is right for you. The right heating system should:

• meet your comfort levels and affordability
• lower your energy bills
• provide efficient, even temperatures throughout your home

Your budget

Knowing your budget helps you strike a balance between initial costs and long-term value. A contractor can give you an estimate of the running costs before you decide to install a new heating system.

Current heating costs

Understanding your current heating costs can show how switching to the right systems may affect your finances. Some systems may cost more upfront, however the Low Carbon Heating Incentive can help cover installation costs for certain technologies. It is also important to consider if a change to the system will result in lower costs overall.

Ongoing maintenance

Chose a system that’s easy to maintain and is reliable.

Energy efficiency of the new heating system

Understanding the changes you intend to make can help show how your heating system fits with how you would like to use or update your home in future.​​

Traditional heating systems​ 

Heating systems can run on electricity, oil, or gas. The gas used is liquified petroleum gas (LPG).

Electric systems use power to heat air through radiators or warm water through a boiler, which then flows through the home's pipes.

Oil systems burn fuel to heat water for central heating and need a refillable storage tank.

Gas systems heat water using gas supplied from mains or bottled sources, with tanks refilled as needed.

There are two main types of heating systems:

• wet central heating uses a single heat source, such as a boiler, to warm water, which is then circulated through radiators or underfloor pipes to heat your home
• dry direct heating uses electricity to warm individual rooms and doesn’t spread heat elsewhere

Boiler options​

A boiler is used to heat water or produce steam. It's then used to heat buildings through a central heating system. Boilers are a key part of many residential and commercial heating systems.

Boilers come in different types and can run on:

• electricity
  
• oil
• ​gas

All boilers require timed and thermostatic controls to comply with current Building Byelaws. Modern oil or gas condensing boilers are more efficient than older boilers. They capture and reuse heat from the flue gases that exit the boiler via the flue pipe.​

​​

Alternative​ fuels for traditional heating systems

​Biofuels​​

Combustible fuels that are made from recently living, non-fossil materials, are also known as Biofuels. They can be solid, liquid, or gas.

Biofuels are grouped into two generations:

• first generation biofu​els come from food crops like corn and rapeseed 

• second generation biofuels come from non-food sources like crop waste and wood

Biofuels and biogases can currently cost more than fossil fuels due to limited production scale and feedstock costs; however, they contain lower carbon than fossil fuels.

Why biofuels and biogases are considered low carbon

Burning biofuels releases carbon that was recently taken from the air, for example by plants, and puts it back into the air.

Additional sustainability criteria should be considered with biofuels and biogases.  The International Sustainability Carbon Certification scheme (ISCC):

• verifies their sustainability standards
• supports the transition to renewable energy sources

Using biofuels and b​iogases in heating systems

Biofuels and biogases can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels for home heating. Examples of these include:

• Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) & Biodiesel. These work in modified oil boilers.  It requires replacing the burner nozzle and adjusting the fuel pressure, ensuring compatible filters and line and emptying or refilling the fuel tank
• Biogas. It can be burned dire​ctly, or changed to biomethane for use in gas boilers
• BioLPG or bio propane. This functions in regular LPG boilers without needing any changes

Solar energy for your home

How solar energy can be generated and used in your home

There are 2 types of solar panels which can generate electricity. Both sources of electricity are low carbon. Local solar PV (photovoltaic) generation does provide the benefits of energy resilience, self-sufficiency, and lower electricity bills:

• Solar Thermal panels turn sunlight directly into heat, warming water that can be used in your property
• Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels change sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (energy-generating) materials such as silicon. It generates local, low-carbon electricity that can be used in the place of low-carbon grid electricity

Currently the impact of solar PV generation on the Island’s greenhouse emissions is limited. In Jersey, solar PV generates local, low-carbon electricity that can be used in the place of low-carbon grid electricity.

PV solar panels are the most common type of solar panel. The electricity generated cannot be used for heating.

Liquid filled solar panels can be used for heating, as the electricity generated from those panels can feed into the heating system.

Installing solar panels 

Installers will be able to advise you on the best solar instillation options for your specific property.

Solar panels can be installed on various surfaces such as:

• roofs
• ground mounts
• walls

For solar PV systems roofs should ideally be:

• south-facing, however you can also use east or west-facing roofs
• unshaded
• at a pitch angle of about 30 or 40 degrees

Storing or selling extra electricity produced by your home

If your solar panels produce extra electricity, you can use battery storage. This allows you to save the electricity for future use. 

You can also sell the extra electricity from your solar system to Jersey Electricity. They have a green export guarantee tariff for this.

You can find out more information about the current Green Export Guarantee Tariff on Jersey Electricity’s webs​ite.

Getting permission to install solar panels

You may need planning permission to install solar panels on your property. This depends on the panel size and placement.

Some installations have simpler installation requirements and may be allowed through permitted development.

You can check if you need permission using our online solar panel permission survey.

Learn more about when pla​nning permission is needed.

Energy and cost saving tips for your home​

About energy efficiency and it’s benefits

Energy efficiency is about reducing energy consumption by using less energy to do the same thing. This can be done in different ways such as improving the:

• thermal efficiency of your property
• efficiency of your household appliances when they need to be replaced

The benefits of being energy efficient include:

• bill savings
• decreased greenhouse gas emissions
• a warmer home
• conservation of natural resources
• energy security
• having a property that is more efficient at heating up and staying warm
• works well with low carbon heating systems

​ Checking your homes energy efficiency

You can check your home's energy efficiency with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). You can apply for funding through a Home Energy Audit to help pay for an EPC.

Find more the Home Energy Audit​.

​You can save money and future proof your homes energy efficiency by using the following tips:

• upgrade to energy-efficient appliances. Look for those rated ‘C’ or higher, or ones with an ‘Eco’ setting you can use
• invest in heating ​controls for your home. 
• improve your home's insulation. You can improve insulation in a few ways: add loft insulation, easy wall or cavity insulation, upgrade your windows, seal gaps around doors and windows, and install thermal blinds or curtains
• generate your own electricity with solar panels.
• upgrade to a heat pump

Saving costs on electricity

You can save costs on electricity as a renter or homeowner by:

• switching off the standby mode on your appliances
• draught-proof windows and doors as heat can escape through gaps around doors, windows, the floor, or the chimney
• seal cracks in floors and skirting boards. This can help lower your energy costs each year
• turn off lights when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. Replace all th​​e lights in your home with LED bulbs
• be mindful when using your washing machine. Use a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperature
• avoid the tumble dryer for your clothes. Drying clothes on racks inside where possible or outside in warmer weather
• only run your dishwasher when it’s full to reduce water use
• increase your homes insulation

Contact us​

You can contact the Climate Emergency team by calling +44 (0) 1534 441680 or by emailing climateemergency@gov.je​.