• importance, depending on the region and the individual home owner.

Choosing an appropriate backup heater is not as simple as it seems, especially when you consider the long-term costs. As a rule, you should aim for the most efficient system that burns clean, abundant, renewable fuels to maximize sustainability. However, you will need to balance that choice against the installation costs and complexity – and plan your home to include the backup system.

While a solar thermal system may be the most sustainable, it needs an awful lot more equipment and forward planning than a wood-burning stove, for example. Choose what is right for your requirements, your budget, and your home design.