Hi,
If I were going down your route, I would have a solar hot water system again. Solar to totally heat your house would require a few panels plus a large store of water. It works more efficiently with a wet underfloor system than radiators which require more heat. Our solar hot water panel is very efficient, but would be more so if our roof pitch was steeper like most houses in the UK. Ideally, it needs to be pitched at the angle of latitude for your location, to get optimum energy from the sun all year.
We do gain from our solar pv feed in tariff, but as they have disappeared, the payback is far longer. If you are planning to stay in the house for a long time, it could be worth investing in a system. We don't store any, selling it all back to the grid. However, if we were still in the house in ten years time when the contract runs out, I'd be looking to store it.
Personally, I think that gas boilers, although efficient will begin to be phased out. Also, obtaining gas from other Countries could become difficult.
I'd also look at a pellet boiler system. Pellets are relatively cheap with little residue.
Air source heat pumps need careful looking at. If you can have the heat pump within a garage, it will be more efficient. In the warmer months they can be very efficient. 1 unit of electricity in to approximately 4 units of energy out. However when the temperature drops they become less efficient, down to 1 for 1.
Paul
