Quick Summary: The Switch at a Glance
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The Property: 4-bedroom home in an off-grid village.
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The Problem: High running costs (£1,500/year for oil) and a desire to decarbonise without the massive disruption of a heat pump retrofit.
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The Solution: The tepeo ZEB (Zero Emission Boiler) – a heat battery boiler that works with their existing radiators.
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The Results: Approximately £1,000 saved annually and zero emissions on site.
The Challenge: Finding a Practical Heat Pump Alternative
Living off-grid often limits heating options. For the McClements family, relying on expensive oil heating to keep their four-bedroom home warm was becoming a financial and environmental burden.
With oil costs reaching £1,500 a year, Michelle wanted a smarter, zero-emission heating solution. While she explored both a heat pump and a direct electric boiler, these weren’t really the right fit for Michelle.
“They didn’t tick my boxes,” Michelle explained. She needed a practical bridge away from oil – a better alternative to a heat pump, and a cheaper alternative to an electric boiler.
The Solution: Discovering the Heat Battery Boiler
While researching online, Michelle discovered the tepeo ZEB. It offered exactly what the family was looking for: a smarter replacement for a fossil fuel boiler that works with existing radiators and uses smart electricity to help lower running costs.
Because the tepeo ZEB installs like a familiar boiler, the family avoided the expensive system overhaul they feared. The installation team simply removed the old oil boiler and connected the tepeo ZEB directly to the existing setup.
Michelle described the installation as “not intrusive” and “quite seamless to be honest.”
The Result: Smart Solar Integration and Massive Savings
The tepeo ZEB perfectly aligns household heating demand with cheaper and cleaner electricity, transforming how the McClements family powers their home:
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£1,000 Annual Savings: The family is now saving roughly £1,000 per year, completely avoiding their old £1,500 annual oil bills.
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Energy Independence: During the colder months, the ZEB reliably runs their heating and hot water. In the spring, Michelle turns the ZEB off completely, allowing their solar panels to heat their water and power the house, exporting the excess energy back to the grid.
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Zero-Emission Heating: The switch has fulfilled their goal of moving away from fossil fuels, providing warmth, reassurance and progress without the stress, disruption or compromise.
FAQs
Can a heat battery boiler replace an oil boiler?
Yes. The tepeo ZEB is a direct plug-and-play replacement for fossil fuel boilers. It connects to your existing wet central heating system and radiators, making it an ideal low-disruption alternative to oil.
How does the tepeo ZEB work with solar panels?
Solar optimisation is currently under development.
If you have solar panels, they may still contribute to your household electricity use, but the ZEB does not currently offer a dedicated feature to charge only from excess solar.
Is a heat battery boiler cheaper to run than oil?
Running costs depend on your specific home and energy tariff, but the McClements family successfully reduced their annual heating bills by approximately £1,000 after switching from a traditional oil boiler to the tepeo ZEB on a smart electricity tariff.
To get an accurate estimate tailored to your own home, you can use our Cost and Carbon Calculator. By entering a few quick details about your current setup, it will show you exactly how much you could save in pounds each year, alongside the specific reduction you will see in your household carbon footprint.
Want to learn more before making the switch?
Choosing a new heating system is a big decision. Download The Better Boiler Guide to get a complete, jargon-free breakdown of how heat battery technology compares to gas, oil, electric and heat pumps – helping you make the right choice for your home, your pocket, and the planet.