Electric boilers with thermal batteries

Electric Boilers with Thermal Batteries: Could This Be a Better Way to Heat Your Home?

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If you’re looking for alternatives to a gas or oil boiler, you’ve probably heard of heat pumps. These are increasingly popular, thanks to government support and their potential to reduce both heating bills and carbon emissions.

Heat pumps aren’t suitable for every property, however. Some homes (like mine) need expensive upgrades to their radiators or pipework, while others lack the outdoor space needed for an external unit. And some homeowners simply don’t fancy the disruption involved in installing one.

There is another option that is starting to attract attention: electric boilers with thermal batteries.

These systems combine electric heating with the ability to store heat for later use. By charging up when electricity is cheap, often overnight, they aim to provide affordable heating throughout the day without burning gas or oil.

They could be particularly interesting for people who want to retain their existing central-heating system, as well as homeowners with solar panels or access to time-of-use electricity tariffs.

But how do they work, what are their advantages and disadvantages, and could one be right for your home?

Let’s take a closer look.

What is an electric boiler with a thermal battery?

A conventional electric boiler uses electricity to heat water, which is then circulated through radiators or underfloor heating. Although simple and free from on-site combustion, ordinary electric boilers can be expensive to run because electricity is often much dearer per unit of energy than gas.

A heat battery boiler takes a different approach.

Instead of generating all its heat at the moment it is needed, it uses electricity to charge a thermal store. The stored heat is then released gradually, supplying the home’s central-heating system when required.

One example is the ZEB heat battery boiler made by British company tepeo. It uses electricity to heat a ceramic core, which stores energy until the heating system calls for it.

The important difference is that you can buy electricity when it is cheap and use the stored heat later, when electricity prices may be much higher.

This is broadly similar in principle to a traditional night-storage heater, but with the heat stored centrally and distributed through the home’s existing wet central-heating system.




How does the system work?

The process is relatively straightforward.

  1. Charge the battery. Electricity heats the thermal store, ideally during cheaper off-peak periods overnight or at other times when electricity prices are low.
  2. Store the heat. The insulated thermal store retains the energy until it is needed.
  3. Heat the home. The system transfers heat into the central-heating circuit, warming radiators or underfloor heating in much the same way as a conventional boiler.
  4. Recharge as necessary. Smart controls can estimate how much heat the home will need and decide when to charge the store again.

Depending on the model, the controls may take account of your electricity tariff, weather forecasts and previous heating patterns.

The aim is to avoid buying large quantities of electricity during expensive peak periods, without leaving you sitting in a cold house.

There is one important qualification. The stored heat is finite. During a particularly cold spell, or if your home needs more heat than anticipated, the system may need to charge again during the day. This could increase running costs.

Also, space heating and domestic hot water are not necessarily provided by the same unit. Depending on the system you choose, you may need a separate hot-water cylinder or thermal store.

The main advantages

1. You may be able to keep your existing radiators and pipework

One of the biggest attractions is that a heat battery boiler can often be installed as a replacement for the heating function of an existing boiler, using the property’s current central-heating circuit.

This may make it attractive to owners of older homes where installing a heat pump would involve substantial alterations.

However, the existing radiators, pipework, electrical supply and overall heat demand still need to be assessed. Retaining your radiators does not automatically mean every property will be suitable.

2. Potentially lower running costs with a suitable electricity tariff

The main financial attraction is the ability to charge the thermal battery when electricity is cheap.

Some energy suppliers offer time-of-use tariffs with discounted periods, often overnight. Others offer several cheaper charging windows or prices that vary according to demand.

A smart heat battery can be programmed to make use of these periods, reducing the amount of electricity purchased at full daytime rates.

The savings will depend on the difference between cheap and peak electricity prices, how much heat your home needs, and how successfully the system can store enough energy to cover that demand.

It is not guaranteed to be cheaper than gas heating or a heat pump, so it is important to compare realistic estimates for your own home.

3. No outdoor unit

Unlike an air-source heat pump, a heat battery boiler does not need a large outdoor unit.

That can be useful if you have a small garden, limited outdoor space, planning constraints or simply don’t want equipment installed outside your property.

The main unit is installed indoors, although it needs a suitable location with adequate space, access and a sufficiently strong, level supporting surface.

4. A way to move away from gas or oil

A heat battery boiler does not burn fossil fuels inside the home. This means no gas combustion at the property and no boiler flue of the usual kind.

For households wishing to move away from gas, oil or LPG, it offers another route to electric heating without necessarily changing the entire radiator system.

The environmental benefit depends partly on how the electricity is generated. Charging when renewable electricity is plentiful can help reduce emissions, although electricity generation is not carbon-free at all times.

5. Potential benefits for solar-panel owners

If you have solar panels, a thermal battery may offer another way to use some of the electricity they generate.

For example, a system might be able to charge during periods of surplus solar generation, where its controls and configuration allow this. The stored heat could then be used later.

However, there is an important seasonal limitation. Solar generation is usually highest in summer, when space heating demand is low. In winter, when heating demand is greatest, solar panels generally produce less electricity.

Consequently, solar panels should be seen as a possible additional benefit rather than a guarantee of cheap winter heating.

The disadvantages and drawbacks

Although heat battery boilers have some attractive features, there are several things to consider before investing.

1. Electricity is still the source of the heat

A thermal battery can change when you buy electricity, but it cannot make electricity cheaper in itself.

Unlike a heat pump, which can deliver several units of heat for each unit of electricity consumed, a direct electric heating system typically produces approximately one unit of heat for each unit of electricity used.

Thermal storage can reduce costs by allowing you to take advantage of cheaper electricity, but it does not deliver the same multiplier effect as a heat pump. This distinction matters particularly if you have a large, poorly insulated home with substantial heating requirements.

And, of course, you will still be vulnerable to power cuts and blackouts. Admittedly the stored heat may give you a degree of resilience, though this will depend on whether your heating system can still operate in the absence of mains electricity. As I noted in this recent post, power cuts and blackouts are becoming more probable, due largely to the transition to renewables. So there may still be a case for having a non-electric backup heat source as well, e.g. a solid-fuel fire or gas fire.

2. Installation costs can be significant

A heat battery boiler is a relatively substantial piece of equipment, and the installed price will depend on the system, property and work required.

You should obtain a detailed quotation covering the equipment, installation, controls, any electrical upgrades and any changes needed to provide domestic hot water.

Do not compare the purchase price alone. Ask for an estimate of total ownership costs, including servicing, maintenance and expected electricity consumption.

Government grants may help eligible households with the initial expense, but you should confirm the current rules and your eligibility before relying on any subsidy.

3. The thermal battery has a limited capacity

A battery can only store a certain amount of heat.

If your home has a high heat demand, or temperatures fall sharply, the stored energy may not last until the next cheap charging period.

Smart controls can help by anticipating demand, but they cannot overcome the physical limits of the store. Additional charging at more expensive times may sometimes be necessary.

This is one reason why insulation, draught-proofing and an accurate assessment of your home’s heat loss remain important.

4. You need suitable indoor space

Although there is no outdoor unit, the thermal battery itself can be bulky and heavy.

For example, the tepeo ZEB is a floor-standing unit with a substantial ceramic core. It needs an appropriate location and adequate access for installation.

You should also check whether you will need additional space for a hot-water cylinder or another domestic hot-water solution, particularly if you currently have a compact combi boiler.

5. You may need to change your electricity tariff

To get the most from a thermal battery, you will generally want an electricity tariff with sufficiently cheap charging periods.

Not every tariff offers the same benefits, and some attractive off-peak rates come with relatively high prices at other times.

Check the full tariff, including standing charges, peak rates, eligibility conditions and any restrictions. If you also charge an electric vehicle, you may need to consider how its charging schedule interacts with your home-heating requirements.

6. It is a relatively new option for many households

Heat battery boilers are less familiar than conventional boilers and heat pumps. That means it is particularly important to investigate the manufacturer’s track record, the availability of qualified installers, warranties and after-sales support.

Ask for references or case studies from homes similar to yours, and look beyond headline claims about potential savings.

Electric boiler with a thermal battery versus a heat pump

Both technologies can help households move away from fossil-fuel heating, but they work in different ways.

Feature Heat battery boiler Heat pump
How it works Uses electricity to store heat for later Moves heat from the outside air or ground into the home
Electricity use Usually around one unit of electricity per unit of heat delivered, allowing for system losses Typically delivers several units of heat per unit of electricity
Existing radiators May often be retained, subject to assessment May need larger radiators or other adjustments
Outdoor unit Not required Usually required for an air-source heat pump
Cheap electricity Can charge during off-peak periods Can also benefit from suitable tariffs and smart controls
Indoor space Requires space for the thermal battery Requires indoor equipment and, depending on the system, hot-water storage
Potential running costs Depends heavily on tariff and heating demand Potentially attractive because of its high efficiency, but depends on installation and tariffs

Neither option is automatically right for everyone. A heat pump may be more economical over the long term for a suitable property, particularly where it can operate efficiently at lower water temperatures. A heat battery boiler may be attractive where avoiding major alterations or installing outdoor equipment is a priority.

It is worth getting comparative quotations rather than assuming one technology will always be cheaper.

What are the running costs?

It’s impossible to provide precise figures for running costs, as clearly it depends on your home, your annual energy consumption, and the electricity tariffs you are able to access. Leading UK heat battery supplier tepeo does though have a calculator on its website that allows you to get a rough cost estimate and comparison with your existing heating system.

The screen captures below show the results when I tried this for my own home. I use approximately 4000 kWh of gas per year, putting me in the relatively low user category.

Running Costs of Heat Battery Boiler 1

Running costs of heat battery boiler 2

As you can see, for the type of variable tariff I’m able to access as a non-EV user, the cost of a heat battery system works out a little more expensive. But I wouldn’t regard the difference as a deal-breaker if I was minded to switch from my existing gas boiler (which I’m not at the moment).

Also, the calculator doesn’t allow you to enter details of the particular time-of-use tariff you use (I am currently on EDF FreePhase, which is more economical for me than the Octopus Cosy shown in the calculator). So it is perfectly possible that you – or I – could achieve higher savings (or lower extra costs) than the calculator indicates.

  • If you’re interested in switching to EDF Energy, you can currently get a £50 bonus credited to your account when you switch via my refer-a-friend link. Terms and conditions apply.

Anyway, if you want to get a rough idea of the running costs of a battery boiler system, the tepeo calculator is well worth checking out. Please note that I am not especially endorsing tepeo, just using it as an example. Other battery boiler suppliers (such as Sunamp) also exist.

What about government grants?

Government support can make a substantial difference to the cost of changing your heating system.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has traditionally helped eligible households in England and Wales install heat pumps and certain other low-carbon heating systems. Heat batteries have also been the subject of government support developments.

Before making a decision, check the latest eligibility rules, grant amounts and application arrangements on the official GOV.UK website. Do not assume that a grant advertised by a manufacturer is a government payment available to everyone: it may be a temporary company offer or a grant-matching arrangement.

You can start with the official Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance on GOV.UK.

Is a heat battery boiler right for you?

This technology is worth investigating if:

  • You want to move away from gas, oil or LPG heating.
  • Your home already has a wet central-heating system that you would prefer to retain.
  • Installing a heat pump would be difficult, disruptive or unattractive.
  • You can access an electricity tariff with useful off-peak charging periods.
  • Your property has suitable indoor space for the equipment.
  • Your heating requirements fall within the system’s capabilities.

It may be less attractive if your home has very high heating demand, you cannot access a suitable tariff, or you are already well placed to install an efficient heat pump at a competitive cost.

If you have solar panels, ask specifically how the proposed system can use surplus generation and whether that feature is included in the quoted installation.

What should you ask before buying?

Before committing yourself, I would suggest asking an installer the following questions:

  • Is my home suitable, taking account of its size, insulation and heat loss?
  • Can my existing radiators and pipework be retained?
  • What will happen to my domestic hot water, especially if I currently have a combi boiler?
  • How much will the complete installation cost?
  • What annual electricity consumption do you estimate for my property?
  • What tariff assumptions underpin the estimated running costs?
  • How often might the system need to charge during expensive daytime periods?
  • Can it make use of my solar-panel surplus?
  • What servicing, warranty and after-sales support are included?
  • Am I eligible for any current government grant or other financial assistance?

Ideally, obtain an independent assessment or a second quotation, and compare the estimated annual costs with those of retaining your existing boiler and installing a suitable heat pump.

Final thoughts

Electric boilers with thermal batteries are an interesting addition to the options available to homeowners looking for alternatives to conventional gas or oil heating.

Their main attraction is straightforward: store heat when electricity is cheap, then use it when you need it. For suitable homes, this could offer a way to retain familiar central heating while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and avoiding some of the complications associated with installing a heat pump.

However, thermal storage is not a substitute for efficiency. The electricity needed to heat your home still has to be paid for, and a heat battery boiler will not necessarily match the running costs of a well-designed heat pump.

For homeowners whose properties are difficult to adapt, or who particularly value a straightforward replacement for their existing boiler, it is certainly an option worth exploring.

As with any major home-heating investment, the best approach is to look at the whole picture: installation costs, likely energy bills, available tariffs, maintenance and how well the technology suits your property.

That way, you can decide whether a heat battery boiler is a genuinely cost-effective solution for your home, rather than simply an intriguing new technology.

As always, if you have any comments or questions about this article, please do leave them below.




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Stay healthy this winter - the best supplements for cold and flu season

Stay Healthy This Winter: The Best Supplements for Cold and Flu Season

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We are currently entering the peak season for flu and other respiratory viruses (including Covid). These infections can be a nuisance at least. And – in the case of older people especially – they can sometimes be life-threatening.

While a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate sleep remain the cornerstones of good health, certain supplements can provide an extra layer of protection. Here’s a guide to the best supplements to support your immune system during the colder months.

1. Vitamin D

Why it’s essential: With limited sunlight during UK winters, many people experience a drop in their vitamin D levels. This nutrient plays a crucial role in immune function and helps reduce the risk of respiratory infections.

How to take it: Public Health England recommends everyone consider a daily supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D during the autumn and winter months. Higher doses may be necessary for those with deficiencies, but consult a healthcare professional first.

2. Vitamin C

Why it’s essential: Vitamin C is known for its immune-boosting properties and its ability to reduce the duration and severity of colds. It’s also a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.

How to take it: A daily dose of 500–1,000 mg is generally safe for most people. You can also pair supplementation with dietary sources like oranges, kiwi fruit and bell peppers.

3. Zinc

Why it’s essential: Zinc is vital for immune cell function and has been shown to shorten the duration of cold symptoms when taken early. It also helps your body fight off viruses more effectively.

How to take it: Lozenges containing 10–15 mg of zinc can be taken at the onset of a cold. Long-term supplementation should not exceed 25 mg daily unless advised by a healthcare professional.

4. Probiotics

Why it’s essential: A healthy gut microbiome supports immune function, and probiotics help maintain this balance. Some strains, like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, are particularly effective in reducing the risk of upper respiratory tract infections.

How to take it: Look for a high-quality probiotic supplement with at least 1 billion CFUs (colony-forming units). Yogurt and fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut can also be excellent natural sources.

5. Elderberry Extract

Why it’s essential: Elderberries have been traditionally used to fight colds and flu. They are rich in antioxidants and may reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.

How to take it: Elderberry syrup or capsules are common forms. Follow the recommended dosage on the product label, and avoid taking it if you have an autoimmune condition without consulting a doctor.

6. Echinacea

Why it’s essential: Echinacea is a popular herbal remedy that may help prevent and reduce the severity of colds by boosting immune activity.

How to take it: Look for standardised extracts and follow the manufacturer’s dosage guidelines. Echinacea is best taken at the first sign of illness.

7. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Why it’s essential: Omega-3s, particularly EPA and DHA found in fish oil, have anti-inflammatory properties that support immune function and overall health.

How to take it: Aim for 250–500 mg of combined EPA and DHA daily. Vegetarian or vegan options include algae-based supplements.

8. Garlic Supplements

Why it’s essential: Garlic contains allicin, a compound with antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties. Regular garlic intake has been associated with fewer colds and flu.

How to take it: Opt for aged garlic extract supplements or incorporate fresh garlic into your diet for the best benefits.

Final Tips

  • Consult a GP or pharmacist: It’s advisable to check with a healthcare professional before starting new supplements, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing or on medication.
  • Choose quality brands: Look for products that are third-party tested for purity and potency. A wide range of supplements and vitamins is available from Amazon.
  • Maintain healthy habits: Supplements work best when combined with a balanced diet, regular exercise, good hygiene and adequate sleep.

By supporting your immune system with the right supplements, you can give yourself a better chance of staying healthy this cold and flu season.

  • This is a revised update of an annual post.




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Wood-burning Stoves and Solid Fuel Fires - Could They Help Keep Your Home Warm in a Power Cut?

Wood-Burning Stoves and Solid-Fuel Fires: Could They Help Keep Your Home Warm in a Power Cut?

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With winter approaching, many householders are thinking about how to keep their homes warm without facing ever-higher energy bills. Recent discussions about heat pumps and the possibility of electricity outages have also prompted questions about how resilient our home heating systems really are.

One option worth considering is solid-fuel heating – burning wood, manufactured fuel or other suitable solid fuels to produce heat.

For some households, a wood-burning stove or traditional fireplace can provide welcome supplementary heating (this may be especially relevant in homes with heat pumps, as they can struggle to provide sufficient warmth if the weather gets really cold). It might also offer a degree of reassurance if the electricity supply fails during a cold snap.

Solid-fuel heating isn’t suitable for everyone, however. Installation can be expensive, fuel needs to be stored, and burning wood and other solid fuels has environmental and health implications. Some modern appliances also depend on electricity, meaning they may not work during a power cut.

So what are the options, and what should you consider before investing in one?

1. Wood-burning stoves

A modern wood-burning stove is probably the first thing many people think of when considering solid-fuel heating.

How it works: Logs are burned inside an enclosed metal or cast-iron appliance, with the smoke and combustion gases carried outside through a chimney or suitable flue. The stove radiates heat into the room, while some warmth also circulates through the surrounding air.

Wood-burning stoves are generally much more efficient than traditional open fires. They can provide substantial heat to the room in which they are installed, making them useful if you want to warm the main living area without necessarily heating every room in the house.

Advantages

  • Potentially independent of mains electricity. Many conventional log burners work without electricity, although you should check the specific appliance and installation.
  • Effective local heating. A suitably sized stove can make a living room feel warm and comfortable even if the central heating is turned down.
  • A renewable fuel option. Wood can be renewable when sourced from sustainably managed forests, although its overall environmental impact depends on how it is produced, transported and burned.
  • A degree of fuel flexibility. Householders who buy and store seasoned logs can have fuel available in advance rather than relying entirely on electricity or gas deliveries.

Disadvantages

  • Installation costs. A stove, hearth, flue or chimney alterations, ventilation and professional installation can add up to several thousand pounds, particularly where no suitable chimney exists.
  • Fuel storage. Logs need a dry, accessible storage space. Buying, moving and loading them can also be physically demanding.
  • Regular maintenance. Stoves need cleaning, servicing and chimney sweeping.
  • Air pollution. Even modern stoves release fine particles into the air. Dry wood and a well-maintained, efficient appliance help reduce emissions, but do not eliminate them.

A wood-burning stove is most attractive where a suitable chimney already exists, there is enough room for fuel storage, and the household expects to use it regularly.

If your main aim is simply to have a backup heating source for the occasional power cut, the installation cost may be difficult to justify.

2. Multi-fuel stoves

A multi-fuel stove looks similar to a wood-burning stove but is designed to burn a wider range of fuels.

Depending on the model, these might include logs, approved smokeless solid fuels and manufactured fuel briquettes.

The important point is that not every stove can burn every type of solid fuel. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and check the rules applying to your home.

Advantages

  • More choice of fuel, potentially useful if supplies or prices change.
  • Similar heating benefits to a wood-burning stove.
  • Many models can operate without mains electricity.

Disadvantages

  • Installation and maintenance costs are similar to those of a wood-burning stove.
  • Different fuels have different storage requirements, prices and environmental impacts.
  • Some fuels produce more pollution than others, and not all are permitted in every location.

In England, for example, smoke control areas restrict what you can burn. Wood and other unauthorised fuels generally require an appropriately Defra-exempt appliance, while authorised fuels can be used in accordance with the rules. Check with your local council before purchasing an appliance.

You can find further information in the government’s guide to smoke control area rules.

3. Traditional open fireplaces

Many older British homes have an open fireplace, even if it has been covered over or rarely used.

If you already have a working fireplace and chimney, you might wonder whether reopening it would provide a useful source of backup heat.

An open fire can certainly produce warmth, and it may be possible to use it without electricity. However, it has significant disadvantages compared with a modern enclosed stove.

Advantages

  • You may already have the fireplace and chimney, reducing the initial outlay if they are suitable and safe to use.
  • An open fire can provide heat without relying on mains electricity.
  • It offers a familiar and attractive focal point in a living room.

Disadvantages

  • Much of the heat can escape up the chimney rather than warming your home.
  • Open fires are generally less efficient than enclosed stoves.
  • They produce substantial smoke and fine-particle pollution.
  • Sparks and embers can escape into the room, creating additional fire risks.
  • The chimney must be inspected and maintained before use.

If you have an existing fireplace, it is worth having it assessed by a suitably qualified professional before lighting a fire in it.

For someone planning a new installation, a modern enclosed stove will generally be a better heating choice than a traditional open fire.

4. Pellet stoves and biomass heating

Another option is a wood-pellet stove. Instead of logs, it burns small compressed pellets made from wood or other suitable biomass materials.

Pellet stoves can feed fuel automatically from a hopper and regulate their output, making them more convenient than manually loading logs.

However, there is an important drawback if your concern is electricity outages.

Most conventional pellet stoves need electricity to operate their electronic controls, fans and fuel-feeding mechanisms. They may therefore stop working during a power cut unless a suitable backup power arrangement is available.

Larger biomass boilers can also burn wood pellets or other biomass fuels to provide central heating and hot water. These are more complex installations and commonly rely on electricity for pumps and controls.

Pellet stoves and biomass boilers can be worth investigating if you want a more automated form of solid-fuel heating. But if your priority is to keep one room warm during a power cut, a conventional stove that can operate without electricity may be more appropriate.

5. What about coal and other solid fuels?

Solid-fuel heating has a long history in Britain, and coal fires were once commonplace. Today, however, traditional house coal is no longer a practical option for most householders in England, following restrictions on its sale for domestic use.

Manufactured smokeless fuels and certain other authorised fuels remain available, subject to the rules governing the appliance and location.

These fuels may be useful in a compatible multi-fuel stove or fireplace. Some can be easier to store than logs, although their cost and environmental impact vary.

It is important not to assume that a fuel advertised as smokeless produces no pollution. Nor should you burn household rubbish, painted or treated wood, old furniture or other unsuitable materials. These can release harmful pollutants and may damage your appliance or chimney.

For more information on choosing appropriate fuels, see the government’s Burn Better, Breathe Better guidance.

Could a solid-fuel fire keep you warm during a power cut?

This is an important question, particularly if you are concerned about winter electricity outages.

A conventional wood-burning stove or suitable open fire can continue producing heat when the electricity supply fails. That can be a real advantage if your normal heating system depends on electricity.

However, there are several qualifications.

First, not every solid-fuel appliance is independent of electricity. Pellet stoves and systems with powered fans, pumps or controls may stop working. Check the manufacturer’s instructions rather than assuming that burning fuel means the appliance will work without mains power.

Second, a stove heats a particular area rather than automatically heating the whole house. If you have a stove in your living room, it may keep that room reasonably comfortable while bedrooms and bathrooms remain cold. Heat will travel to other rooms to some extent, but this depends on your home’s layout and insulation.

Third, a power cut can affect other parts of your heating system. If a solid-fuel boiler or stove is connected to radiators or a central heating circuit, pumps and controls may require electricity. Some systems need specific arrangements to operate safely during a power failure. Never assume you can simply continue firing a boiler or stove connected to a water circuit when the power stops.

Finally, a fire is not a substitute for a wider emergency plan. You will still need lighting, a way to prepare food and hot drinks, and a means of keeping warm if the fire cannot be used safely.

For a household that already owns a suitable stove, keeping an adequate supply of dry fuel may be a sensible precaution. Installing one solely to prepare for a hypothetical outage is a much bigger decision.

The costs: is solid-fuel heating economical?

The cost depends heavily on what you already have.

If you own a home with a sound, suitable chimney and an existing stove, the main expenses may be fuel, servicing and chimney sweeping.

If you are starting from scratch, the cost can be considerably higher. You may need a stove, a suitable flue, a hearth, ventilation improvements and building-regulations compliance. A straightforward installation can cost a few thousand pounds, while more complicated projects may cost substantially more.

You should also budget for the fuel itself. Logs need to be properly dried, and buying enough to last a winter can involve a sizeable initial outlay. Storage space, delivery charges and the effort involved in handling the fuel all matter.

It is worth comparing the cost of useful heat rather than simply comparing the price of a bag of logs with the price of a unit of electricity or gas.

A stove may be economical when it regularly heats a room that would otherwise require expensive heating. But if you only light it occasionally, the cost of installation and maintenance may outweigh any savings.

And if you already have an efficient heat pump, adding a stove will not necessarily reduce your overall heating costs. The result depends on the cost of the fuel, the efficiency of the equipment and how you use it.

Environmental and health considerations

Solid-fuel heating has benefits and drawbacks that are sometimes overlooked in discussions about energy security.

Wood can be a renewable resource, but burning it releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants. The overall climate impact depends on factors including how the wood is sourced, whether forests are sustainably managed, and the time taken for replacement trees to absorb carbon.

There is also a more immediate issue: air quality.

Domestic wood burning is a significant source of fine particulate matter in the UK. These tiny particles can affect respiratory and cardiovascular health, and the risks are particularly relevant to people with existing health problems.

Modern, well-designed stoves generally produce less pollution than older stoves and open fires, but they do not eliminate the problem.

If you choose to burn wood:

  • Use properly dried wood with a moisture content of 20% or less, ideally carrying the Ready to Burn certification.
  • Never burn painted, treated or chemically contaminated wood.
  • Use an appliance designed for the fuel you intend to burn.
  • Have the appliance serviced regularly and the chimney swept at least annually, following the advice appropriate to your appliance and fuel.
  • Ensure the room has adequate ventilation.

You should also consider your neighbours. Smoke from a domestic chimney can affect nearby homes, particularly in built-up areas.

Safety must come first

Any appliance that burns solid fuel needs to be installed and used correctly.

If you are considering a new stove, use a competent installer who can ensure the installation complies with the relevant building regulations. In the UK, HETAS is one recognised source of information and a directory of registered installers.

A suitable carbon monoxide alarm is essential, alongside working smoke alarms. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance on alarm placement and testing.

Never use a barbecue, camping stove or outdoor fire inside your home as an emergency heating or cooking device. These can cause dangerous carbon monoxide build-up.

Also remember that a stove or fire needs appropriate ventilation and a properly functioning chimney or flue. Modern homes that have been made more airtight may require particular attention to the air supply.

Finally, make sure you can safely manage the fuel, ash and maintenance. Carrying heavy logs, bending to load a stove and handling hot ash may not suit everyone, particularly as we get older.

Is solid-fuel heating right for you?

A solid-fuel appliance is more likely to make sense if:

  • You have a suitable chimney or can install an appropriate flue.
  • You want regular supplementary heat in a particular room.
  • You have enough space to store fuel safely and keep it dry.
  • You are comfortable with the work involved in lighting, tending and cleaning a fire.
  • You are prepared to meet the installation, maintenance and fuel costs.
  • You have checked the relevant local rules and considered the environmental implications.

It is less likely to be a sensible investment if you live in a flat without a suitable flue, have limited storage space, rarely need supplementary heat, or would find handling logs and maintaining a stove difficult.

It may also be unnecessary if your main concern is the occasional power cut. Other measures, such as warm clothing, blankets, draught-proofing and having a plan to stay elsewhere if your home becomes too cold, may be more practical and less expensive.

Final thoughts

Solid-fuel heating is not a universal solution to rising energy costs or concerns about electricity outages. It has real disadvantages, particularly in terms of installation costs, maintenance and air pollution.

Nevertheless, a suitable wood-burning stove or multi-fuel appliance can provide useful supplementary heat and, in the right circumstances, a source of warmth that does not depend on mains electricity.

For some households, particularly those with an existing fireplace or stove, it may be a worthwhile option to consider. For others, the costs and practical drawbacks will outweigh the benefits.

As with heat pumps, solar panels and home batteries, the best decision depends on your home, your budget and your priorities. The aim should not be to install every possible heating technology, but to find a safe, affordable and practical way to keep your home warm.

What do you think? Do you have a wood-burning stove or open fire, or have you considered installing one as a backup heating source? I’d be interested to hear about your experiences in the comments below.




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Is a heat pump right for you?

Is a Heat Pump Right for You?

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Heat pumps are being promoted as an important part of the UK’s transition to cleaner energy. They can provide an efficient way to heat your home, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and potentially cut your energy bills.

The government is encouraging homeowners to make the switch, too, with grants available to help cover the installation costs.

But does that mean a heat pump is the right choice for everyone?

Not necessarily. Although heat pumps can work well in a range of properties, the suitability of your home, the type of heating system you currently have and the cost of any necessary modifications all need to be considered.

In this article, I’ll look at the main advantages and disadvantages of heat pumps, explain which homes are likely to benefit most, and suggest some questions to ask before deciding whether to make the switch.

What exactly is a heat pump?

A heat pump works by extracting heat from the surrounding environment and transferring it into your home. Rather than generating heat by burning gas or oil, it uses electricity to move existing heat from one place to another.

There are two main types to consider.

  • Air-source heat pumps extract heat from the outside air. The main unit is installed outdoors and transfers heat into your home’s heating system. These are the most common type of domestic heat pump in the UK.
  • Ground-source heat pumps extract heat from the ground using buried pipes or boreholes. They can be highly efficient but generally cost more to install and require suitable outdoor space.

Most conventional heat pumps supply hot water to radiators or underfloor heating. They can also heat your domestic hot water, although you’ll normally need a hot-water cylinder.

Air-to-air heat pumps are another option. These transfer heat directly into indoor air, rather than using radiators and a hot-water circuit, and may be particularly suitable for some smaller properties.

The advantages of heat pumps

There are several good reasons why heat pumps are attracting interest.

1. They can be very energy-efficient

A conventional gas boiler burns fuel to generate heat. A heat pump instead uses electricity to move heat from the air or ground into your home.

Under suitable conditions, it can deliver several units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed. This makes it potentially much more energy-efficient than a conventional boiler.

The actual efficiency depends on the system, the weather, the temperature at which it operates and how well the installation has been designed.

2. They can reduce your carbon footprint

Heat pumps don’t burn fossil fuels in your home. Their environmental benefits are particularly attractive as more of the UK’s electricity comes from renewable sources.

For homeowners who want to reduce their household carbon emissions, installing a heat pump can be a worthwhile step.

3. They may reduce your energy bills

Whether a heat pump saves you money depends on several factors, including the efficiency of your existing boiler, your home’s heat requirements and the prices you pay for gas and electricity.

A well-designed heat pump can be economical to run, particularly when replacing an inefficient heating system or an expensive oil-fired system.

However, electricity generally costs more per unit than mains gas in the UK. This means that efficiency alone doesn’t guarantee lower bills. It’s important to compare realistic estimates for your own property rather than relying on general claims about potential savings.

4. Government grants can help with installation costs

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales currently offers grants of £7,500 towards eligible air-source and ground-source heat pump installations.

Eligible homes heated by oil or LPG without a mains gas connection can qualify for an increased grant of £9,000, subject to the scheme’s conditions. This enhanced grant is available until 31 March 2027.

The grant is normally deducted from the installation price by the installer, rather than paid directly to the homeowner.

You can find the latest information on the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme website.

Even with a grant, however, you should obtain a full quotation and check what is included. Any additional work needed to your radiators, pipework or insulation could affect the overall cost.

5. They can provide comfortable, consistent heating

Heat pumps generally work best by maintaining a comfortable temperature over longer periods, rather than heating a cold house very quickly.

For people who prefer steady warmth throughout the day, this can be an advantage. Once you become accustomed to the system, you may find it perfectly comfortable.

Some types of heat pump can also provide cooling during warmer weather, although this depends on the equipment and how it has been installed.

The disadvantages of heat pumps

Despite these benefits, there are some important drawbacks to consider.

1. Installation can be expensive

Installing a heat pump is a substantial investment. The total cost depends on the type of system, the size of your home, the existing heating arrangements and any modifications required.

A government grant can make a significant difference, but it probably won’t cover all the costs.

If your home needs new radiators, extensive pipework alterations, a new hot water cylinder or other improvements, the final bill could be considerably higher than you initially expected.

2. Your home may need modifications

This is one of the most important considerations.

Heat pumps generally work most efficiently when supplying water at lower temperatures than a conventional gas boiler. To keep your home warm under these conditions, your radiators or underfloor heating need to be capable of delivering enough heat.

Some properties can use their existing radiators without major changes. Others may need larger radiators, additional radiators or underfloor heating.

The existing pipework also matters. Depending on its dimensions, layout and condition, modifications may be necessary to deliver the water flow required by the new system.

These changes can add to the cost and disruption of installation.

3. Running costs aren’t guaranteed to be lower

It’s tempting to assume that a more efficient heating system must be cheaper to run. Unfortunately, the reality is more complicated.

If you’re replacing an old, inefficient boiler, you may well save money. If you already have a modern, efficient mains-gas boiler, the financial benefits could be much less clear.

The price of electricity relative to gas is an important factor. Your heat pump’s efficiency and your home’s insulation will also affect the result.

Before committing, ask an installer to provide a realistic estimate of annual electricity consumption and running costs, based on your actual property and heating requirements.

4. You’ll need somewhere suitable for the equipment

Air-source heat pumps require an outdoor unit, with enough space and appropriate positioning for airflow, access and noise considerations.

You’ll also normally need room indoors for a hot-water cylinder. This can be a particular problem in smaller homes where space is already limited.

Ground-source systems require suitable ground for buried pipework or boreholes, which can make them impractical or prohibitively expensive for some homeowners.

5. They may require a change in heating habits

A heat pump is not necessarily a like-for-like replacement for a boiler in the way you use your heating.

Because they typically operate at lower flow temperatures, you may need to run them for longer periods and avoid large, sudden changes in room temperature.

This isn’t necessarily a disadvantage, but it may require a different approach if you’re accustomed to switching your boiler on for short bursts when you need heat.

6. Noise may be an issue

Heat pumps produce a certain amount of noise. Air source heat pumps – the most common – typically produce 40-60 dB at a distance of one metre, a bit more than a typical fridge. That’s still not especially loud, but it is continuous while the heat pump is working. If you are sensitive to noise, this is something to bear in mind. You may also need to consider whether the noise would cause any friction with your neighbours.

7. They won’t work in power cuts and blackouts

As discussed in this recent article, the likelihood of power cuts and (potentially) wider blackouts in increasing. As electrical devices, heat pumps clearly won’t work when the power supply is disrupted.

Gas boilers also require electricity to function, but much less than heat pumps. And they can potentially be powered for a few hours at least by a home battery or generator. Most free-standing gas fires can operate without electricity. Wood and other solid fuel fires are another heating option that doesn’t require electricity to work, though not all homes are suitable for them.

Even if you do opt for a heat pump, there is a strong case for still having a backup heating source in the event of outages. In addition, in very cold spells, heat pumps may not be able to provide sufficient heat to keep your home comfortable on their own. Many Scandinavian homes that use heat pumps have a supplementary non-electrical heating source as well.

8. High replacement cost

While grants are currently available to help offset the higher costs of heat pumps, this may not always be the case. There are also rumours that the government is set to reduce the size of grants to free up funds for defence and other public spending commitments.

In addition, grants are only available for first-time heat pump installations. Just like gas boilers, heat pumps have finite lifespans (estimates vary but around 15 years is typical). Once your heat pump reaches the end of its life and needs replacing, you will have to pay the full cost of a new one, which even now is likely to run well into five figures.

Which homes are best suited to heat pumps?

Heat pumps can work in many different types of property, including older houses. It’s too simplistic to say that they are only suitable for new-build homes.

Nevertheless, some properties are easier and cheaper to adapt than others.

Homes that may be particularly suitable include:

  • Well-insulated properties that lose relatively little heat.
  • Newer homes designed with low-temperature heating systems in mind.
  • Homes with underfloor heating or appropriately sized radiators.
  • Properties with sufficient space for the equipment and a hot-water cylinder.
  • Homes currently heated by oil or LPG, where the potential savings and available grant may make switching attractive.

Homes that may require more careful assessment include:

  • Older, poorly insulated properties with substantial heat loss.
  • Homes with small radiators that were designed to operate at high water temperatures.
  • Properties with narrow or restrictive pipework that may need modification.
  • Small homes with little space for a hot-water cylinder or outdoor equipment.
  • Large or unusually laid-out properties with high heating demands.

None of these factors automatically rules out a heat pump. Insulation improvements, larger radiators and other design changes can sometimes make an installation practical.

The important point is to establish what your particular home needs before committing to the expense.

My own experience: why I’m not rushing to install a heat pump

I’ve looked at the possibility of installing a heat pump in my own detached house in Staffordshire.

My property is around 40 years old, and one of the potential complications is the relatively narrow heating pipework. Replacing or modifying this could add significantly to the cost and disruption of the project.

That doesn’t mean a heat pump couldn’t be installed successfully. It means I would need to weigh up the benefits carefully against the cost of the work required.

For me, this illustrates why homeowners shouldn’t feel obliged to install a heat pump simply because it is being promoted as the future of domestic heating.

The right decision depends on the individual property, the existing heating system and the likely financial benefits.

Questions to ask before installing a heat pump

If you’re considering making the switch, I’d suggest asking an experienced, suitably certified installer the following questions:

  1. Is my home suitable? Ask for a proper assessment of its heat requirements, rather than a recommendation based solely on its age or size.
  2. Will my existing radiators and pipework work? Find out whether replacements or alterations are needed and how much they will cost.
  3. How much will the installation cost? Obtain a detailed quotation, including any associated building work and modifications.
  4. What are the likely running costs? Ask for an estimate based on your current heating system, electricity tariff and property.
  5. What grant can I receive? Confirm your eligibility and ensure the grant is reflected in the quotation.
  6. What disruption should I expect? Establish how long the work will take and whether you will need to make temporary arrangements for heating or hot water.

It is worth obtaining more than one quotation, particularly if substantial modifications are proposed.

The bottom line: is a heat pump right for you?

For the right home a heat pump can be a good heating solution. They offer high energy efficiency, can reduce household carbon emissions, and may lower heating bills in the right circumstances. But they aren’t automatically the best financial choice for every homeowner.

If your home is well insulated, your heating system is suitable and the installation can be completed at a reasonable cost, a heat pump could be worth considering.

If your property needs extensive modifications, however, the economics may be less attractive. A grant can help, but it doesn’t remove the need to consider the total cost and potential savings.

My advice is to approach the decision with an open mind. Don’t dismiss heat pumps because you live in an older house, but don’t assume either that installing one is automatically the right move.

Get a proper assessment, compare the figures and make the decision that best suits your home and your finances.

After all, the aim should be to have a warm, comfortable home at a cost you can afford – not simply to install the latest technology, however heavily it is being promoted by the industry and government.

As always, if you have any comments about this article, please do post them below.




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Beware of Going 'All-In' on Electricity

Why You Should Beware of Going ‘All-In’ on Electricity

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In my update today, I’m focusing on a topic that has become of growing concern to me.

Over the past decade, UK households have been encouraged to electrify almost everything. Cars are going electric. Gas boilers are being phased out in favour of heat pumps. Even cooking is increasingly moving from gas to electricity.

On paper, this all fits with the Government’s drive towards Net Zero. But there’s a growing issue that doesn’t get discussed nearly enough:

What happens if the electricity supply isn’t always there when you need it?

As we look ahead to the coming years, relying solely on electricity to power and heat your home could leave you exposed – financially and practically.

Growing Pressure on the UK’s Electricity System

Electricity demand in the UK is rising sharply. Two of the biggest drivers are:

  • Electric vehicles (EVs) – millions of households charging cars at home, often at similar times of day

  • Electric heat pumps – particularly air-source heat pumps, which draw large amounts of power in cold weather

At the same time, electricity generation is becoming increasingly weather-dependent. Wind and solar are growing fast, but they don’t always produce power when demand is highest – especially during cold, still winter evenings, when heating demand peaks.

The National Grid has so far managed to keep the lights on, but it has done so by relying on emergency measures, reserve power contracts and public appeals to reduce usage at peak times. That’s a sign of a system under strain.

The Risk of Power Cuts Is Increasing, Not Decreasing

While widespread blackouts are still relatively rare, the risk of localised or short-term power cuts is rising.

Reasons include:

  • an ageing electricity distribution network

  • rapid increases in peak demand

  • greater reliance on intermittent renewable generation

  • delays and cost overruns in upgrading grid infrastructure

For households that depend entirely on electricity for heating, hot water and cooking, even a short power cut in winter can quickly become a serious problem.

To be clear, I am not saying that widespread blackouts are inevitable. In fact, the latest assessment from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) is fairly reassuring. It expects Great Britain’s electricity supply to remain secure during winter 2026/27, with an estimated 5.5 GW surplus over expected peak demand. On the other hand, there are growing numbers of dissenting voices who believe that blackouts are increasingly probable.

When Electricity Goes Off, Everything Stops

If your home uses electric heating only:

  • heat pumps stop working

  • electric radiators go cold

  • immersion heaters stop producing hot water

  • induction hobs and electric ovens are unusable

By contrast, homes with non-electric power and heating options retain a degree of resilience. That resilience has real value, particularly for older people, families with young children, or anyone living in rural areas where power cuts tend to last longer.

Diversification Isn’t Just for Investments

Regular readers of Pounds and Sense will be familiar with the idea of diversification. You wouldn’t normally put all your savings into a single investment – and the same principle applies to household energy.

Having more than one way to heat your home reduces risk and gives you flexibility when prices spike or supplies are disrupted.

Alternative and Backup Heating Options to Consider

Here are some heating methods that can be used instead of, or alongside, electricity:

Gas Heating (Where Available)

Despite its declining popularity in policy circles, mains gas remains:

  • reliable

  • relatively inexpensive

  • highly controllable

  • independent of the electricity grid (for heat, though central heating boilers still need some power to operate)

  • much less polluting than other fossil fuels like oil and coal

A gas boiler can continue to provide warmth during electricity shortages if paired with a simple backup power source, such as a home storage battery or generator. In addition, many free-standing gas fires can operate without any need for electricity.

  • If you are considering a battery or generator to keep a gas boiler running during a power cut, make sure the equipment is suitable for the purpose and installed safely.

Wood-Burning or Multi-Fuel Stoves

A properly installed stove can provide useful independent heat during a power cut. It has the advantage of producing heat directly in the room without needing electricity.

There are, however, important qualifications. You need a suitable chimney and installation, somewhere to store fuel and a supply of appropriate fuel. There are also environmental and local air-quality rules governing the use of solid-fuel appliances.

For all of these reasons, a stove may not be a practical solution for everyone.

Oil or LPG Heating (Rural Homes)

For off-grid properties, oil or LPG systems offer:

  • independence from the electricity network for fuel supply

  • predictable heating performance in cold weather

They are often criticized on environmental grounds, but from a resilience perspective they remain useful options.

Simple Emergency Measures

There are also some cheaper ways to prepare for a short power cut. These might include:

  • rechargeable LED lights or lanterns
  • a couple of fully charged power banks
  • a battery or wind-up radio
  • torches
  • warm blankets and extra clothing
  • a thermos flask
  • keeping some food that doesn’t require cooking

Be particularly careful with portable gas heaters, camping stoves and other combustion appliances.

Never use a barbecue, camping stove or outdoor heater indoors because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire.

The aim isn’t to re-create normal life during a power cut. It is simply to make a few hours without electricity much less uncomfortable.

Balancing Net Zero with Common Sense

The Government’s rush towards Net Zero is placing enormous pressure on the UK’s energy system. Whether the huge cost and disruption caused can be justified is (in my opinion anyway) arguable. What’s in no doubt, however, is that the transition period will be messy, expensive and uncertain.

Households that move too quickly to an all-electric set-up may find themselves exposed to:

  • higher running costs

  • reduced resilience

  • greater vulnerability during supply disruptions

That doesn’t mean rejecting electrification entirely – but it does mean thinking very carefully before putting all your power and heating eggs in one basket.

My Personal Situation

I live in a detached house built about 40 years ago in semi-rural Staffordshire. I have gas central heating and an electric cooker. I also have a free-standing gas-fire in the lounge. I have solar panels on the roof and a Givenergy home-storage battery, which I bought three years ago.

When I first heard about heat pumps I did look into the possibility of getting one. I soon realised, however, that I didn’t want to go down this route. As discussed above, I didn’t like the thought of becoming too reliant on electricity, especially with the growing likelihood of power outages. Also, the heating pipes in my house are quite narrow and I have been advised that if I were to get a heat pump, the existing pipes would all have to be taken out and replaced as well. Needless to say, that would add considerably to the cost, not to mention the disruption.

In addition, heat pumps generally operate at lower flow temperatures than gas central heating, meaning they have to be kept on most of the time to ensure the house remains at a comfortable temperature. I have also heard it said that in very cold weather they may not be able to provide adequate warmth on their own. So you really do still need a back-up heating option anyway.

With all these considerations (and others), I therefore plan to stick with my present set-up for the foreseeable future. If at some point gas boilers are banned and/or gas is cut off completely, I will obviously have to rethink this. But as I am now 70, realistically that’s unlikely to happen in my lifetime. In the improbable event that it does, I would think about switching to an electric boiler, which could be installed instead of my old gas boiler without all the pipes in the house having to be torn out and replaced. This would be a lot cheaper to buy and less disruptive than switching to a heat pump (though possibly more expensive to run). Looking to the future, other non-heat-pump alternatives are very likely to appear as well.

Obviously, all of this is just my personal opinion. You may disagree, but I thought it might be helpful to explain my thinking on these matters as they stand now.

The Bottom Line

Electric heating will undoubtedly play a major role in the UK’s future. But in my view relying on electricity alone for heating is increasingly risky.

Where possible, having an alternative or supplementary non-electric heating source provides:

  • peace of mind

  • practical resilience

  • protection against both power cuts and price shocks

As always, I’d be interested to hear your views. Have you deliberately kept a non-electric heating option in your home, or have you gone completely electric? And if you have solar panels and a home battery, does your system provide backup power during a power cut?

This is a fully updated version of an article from 2025.




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Amazon Prime Big Deals Day

Amazon Prime Big Deals Day is Almost Here!

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In case you’ve not heard, Amazon Prime Big Deals Day is almost with us. It extends over two days, Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th October 2026.

This is a special event for Amazon Prime members only. Amazon say they will be offering members their lowest prices of the year on selected products across a wide range of categories, from consumer electronics to groceries.

Some of the best deals will be reserved for Amazon’s own products, such as their Kindle e-book readers, Amazon Echo smart speakers and Ring video doorbells and security cameras. Discounts of up to 65% will be on offer for these products. If you’re thinking of buying any of them, Amazon Prime Big Deals Day is definitely the day – or two days – to do it.

I have been a member of Amazon Prime for over ten years now. As a regular Amazon shopper, I find it well worth while for the free one-day delivery on millions of items alone. But as a Prime member you get access to a host of other benefits and services as well, including Amazon Prime Music and Amazon Prime Video.

If you’re thinking of joining Amazon Prime, therefore, I highly recommend doing it in the next few days, so you can benefit from the Prime Big Deals Day offers. Personally I think it’s worth it for the free delivery alone, let alone everything else that’s on offer. But if you wish, you can get a 30-day free trial now, take advantage of the Prime Big Deals Day offers, and then cancel without owing any money. It’s your choice!

  • You can also see all the latest Prime Big Deals Day offers by clicking here.

As always, if you have any comments about Amazon Prime or Prime Big Deals Day, please do post them below.

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission for introducing you. This will not affect the price you pay or the products or services you receive.



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My Investments Update October 2026

My Investments Update – October 2026

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Here is my latest monthly update about my investments. You can read my September 2026 Investments Update here if you like.

I’ll begin as usual with my JP Morgan Personal Investing (previously Nutmeg) Stocks and Shares ISA. This is the largest investment I hold other than my Bestinvest SIPP (personal pension).

As regular readers will know, in June last year I transferred most of the money in my former Nutmeg Fully Managed portfolio (just under £25,000) to a new Nutmeg Income Portfolio. I discussed this in detail in this post, but basically money in this port is invested to generate an income from share dividends and other sources. This is then paid monthly. Capital appreciation is targeted as well, but these portfolios are aimed primarily at older people (and others) who want/need their investment to generate a regular cash income.

In September my JPM income portfolio generated £60.45 of income, which was duly paid into my bank account on 24 September 2026. That means I have now received (tax-free) income of £954.86 in 2026 and a total of £1,426.32 since I opened the account in June last year. That’s a return on capital of nearly 5% a year to date. That is in line with JPM’s original projected annual return for income ports at my chosen risk level (five).

My income portfolio fell slightly in value in September. It’s now worth £28,876 compared with £29,010 at the end of August, a drop of £134. As the screen capture below shows, my income port is still up by a respectable £3,272.81 (12.78%) after fees since I opened it in June 2025.

  • As a matter of interest, I recently received an email from JPM saying they are making some adjustments to income portfolios with the aim of increasing monthly payments. They say the trade-off may be that if there is a fall in the markets, the value of these portfolios may fall a bit further and faster than it would have before. I don’t really have a problem with this, as my priority with this port is income generation rather than capital growth. But obviously I will continue to monitor it carefully.

JPM Income Port October 26

I still have a smaller, growth-oriented pot using JPM Investing’s Smart Alpha option. This is now worth £3,302 compared with £3,313 a month ago, a fall of £11. Here is a screen capture showing performance over the year to date. As you may recall, I sold £2,000 worth of this portfolio in May this year to pay for some building work.

JPM Smart Alpha port Oct 26

Finally, at the start of December 2023 I invested £500 in one of Nutmeg/JPM’s thematic portfolios (Resource Transformation). In March 2024 I also invested a further £200 from referral bonuses (something I no longer receive). As you can see from the YTD screen capture below, this portfolio is now worth £1,048 (rounded up) compared with £1,055 last month, a fall of £7.

JPM Thematic port Oct 26

Overall in September the value of my JPM investments fell by £152 or 0.46%. In addition, I did of course receive £60.45 in income from my income portfolio. In total, then, I was down by £106 for the month.

Excluding income generated (and allowing for the £2,000 I withdrew in May this year) the overall value of my JPM investments has risen by £2,803 since the start of October 2025. If you add to this the £1,352.74 of income generated by my Income portfolio since then, that gives a total profit for the last 12 months of £4,155.74 – a pretty good return in these uncertain times. Another way of looking at this (which I like!) is that the £2,000 I withdrew in May this year has been comfortably covered by the growth in value of my JPM investments (and income generated) over the last year.

Obviously it’s important not to read too much into a single month’s performance. Ups and downs are very much to be expected with stock market investments. In the longer term they tend to even themselves out and typically outperform bank savings accounts (though that’s never guaranteed). In general the worst thing you can do is panic and sell up when downturns occur. You are then crystallizing your losses rather than giving the markets time to recover. That is something I had cause to discuss last year in this blog post.

You can read my full original Nutmeg/JPM review here. If you are looking for a home for your annual ISA allowance, based on my overall experience over the last nine years, they are certainly worth considering. They offer self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs), Lifetime ISAs and Junior ISAs as well.

Moving on, I also have investments with P2P property investment platform Housemartin. As discussed in this post, the company rebranded last year from Assetz Exchange.

My investments with Housemartin continue to generate steady returns. Housemartin focuses on lower-risk properties (e.g. sheltered housing). I put an initial £100 into this in mid-February 2021 and another £400 in April. In June 2021 I added another £500, bringing my total investment up to £1,000.

Since I opened my account, my HM portfolio has generated a respectable £346.48 in revenue from rental income. I have made a small net loss of £17.60 on property disposals. Capital growth generally has slowed, in line with UK property values generally.

At the time of writing, 24 of ‘my’ properties are showing gains, 5 are breaking even, and the remaining 19 are showing losses. My portfolio of 48 properties is currently showing a net decrease in value of £59.54. That means that overall (rental income minus capital value decrease and loss on disposal) I am up by £269.34. That’s still a respectable return on my £1,000 and does illustrate the value of P2P property investments for diversifying your portfolio. And it doesn’t hurt that with Housemartin most projects are socially beneficial as well.

  • A further consideration is that property investments on Housemartin are less likely to be affected by stock market downturns, as happened in March this year due to events in the Middle East. This again demonstrates the potential value of such investments for diversifying your portfolio during challenging times.

The net fall in capital value of my Housemartin investments is obviously a little disappointing. But it’s important to remember that until/unless I choose to sell the investments in question, it is largely theoretical, based on the latest price at which shares in the property concerned have changed hands. The rental income, on the other hand, is real money (which in my case I’ve reinvested in other HM projects to further diversify my portfolio).

To control risk with all my property crowdfunding investments nowadays, I invest relatively modest amounts in individual projects. This is a particular attraction of Housemartin as far as i am concerned. You can actually invest from as little as £1 per property if you really want to proceed cautiously.

  • As I noted in this blog post, Housemartin is particularly good if you want to compound your returns by reinvesting rental income. This effectively boosts the interest rate you are receiving. Personally, once I have accrued a minimum of £10 in rental payments, I usually reinvest this money in either a new HM project or one I have already invested in (thus increasing my holding). Over time, even if I don’t invest any more capital, this will ensure my investment with Housemartin grows at an accelerating rate and becomes more diversified as well.

My investment on Housemartin is in the form of an IFISA so there won’t be any tax to pay on profits, dividends or capital gains. I’ve been impressed by my experiences with Housemartin and the returns generated so far, and intend to continue investing with them. You can read my original review of Assetz Exchange/Housemartin here and my article about the rebranding to Housemartin here. You can also sign up for an account directly via this link [affiliate].

In 2022 I set up an account with investment and trading platform eToro, using their popular ‘copy trader’ facility. I chose to invest $500 (then about £412) copying an experienced eToro trader called Aukie2008 (real name Mike Moest).

In January 2023 I added to this with another $500 investment in one of their thematic portfolios, Oil Worldwide. I also invested a small amount I had left over in Tesla shares.

In January this year, as Oil Worldwide hadn’t exactly been setting the world alight, I decided to switch my entire investment in this to another smart portfolio, InTheGame. This port, focusing on the computer gaming industry, had been the top performer for some time in my eToro virtual portfolio.

Unfortunately just as I switched away from Oil Worldwide, President Trump decided to invade Venezuela. This gave the oil industry a significant boost, which I would otherwise have benefited from. Meanwhile InTheGame went south, partly due to the war in the Middle East. At one point I was down by over 10% on this investment. Fortunately in the last few months InTheGame has made a good recovery and is now in profit by 12.55%.

As you can see from the screen captures below, my original eToro investment (total value £888.36 in pounds sterling) is today worth £1,264.96, an overall increase of £376.60 or 42.39%.

  • Note: eToro now displays the value of investments in your native currency, although you can change this if you wish.

 

 

Etoro Main October 2026

Etoro portfolio October 2026

You can read my full review of eToro here. You may also like to check out my more in-depth look at eToro copy trading. I also discussed thematic investing with eToro using Smart Portfolios in this post.

As mentioned above, my new investment in InTheGame is currently up by 12.55%. And my copy trading investment with Aukie2008 is showing an impressive overall profit of 71.77%. Of course, I have held this investment for quite a bit longer.

My Tesla shares, which I purchased as an afterthought with some spare cash I had in my account, are also up this month. They are now showing an overall profit of over 219% since I bought them. If only I had put a bit more money into this!

You might also notice that I have small holdings in Prosus NV, a Dutch internet group, and South Bow, a Canadian energy infrastructure company. To be honest I don’t understand how I acquired these, but I assume they are some sort of bonus I was awarded. In any event, I am happy to have them in my portfolio.

Moving on, I published several posts on Pounds and Sense in September. I have listed below those that are still relevant.

How Eating a Handful of Nuts Each Day May Help Lower Your Blood Pressure is a syndicated guest post from Shireen Kassam, University of Winchester and Dagfinn Aune, Imperial College London.  It’s on a subject I believe many older readers (in particular) may find of interest. High blood pressure is the single biggest metabolic risk factor for early death, driving diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and dementia. This article reveals how adding just one serving of nuts into your daily diet may lower your risk.

In Get Your Will Written Free of Charge in October I discussed Free Wills Month. This brings together a group of well-respected charities to offer members of the public aged 55 and over the opportunity to have their wills written or updated free using participating solicitors across the UK. Appointments are limited and on a first come, first served basis, so it’s best to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Read my post for more info.

In UK Government Bonds – Are Gilts Worth Considering Now? I looked at why gilts have been attracting renewed attention from investors recently. In recent months gilt yields have risen substantially. In September 2026, the yield on 10-year UK government bonds climbed above 5.3%, its highest level since 2007. Even more strikingly, yields on 20- and 30-year gilts have reached their highest levels since 1998. In this in-depth article I explained what gilts are and the pros and cons of investing in them. I also discussed a number of different ways you can add gilts to your portfolio.

Finally in The £12,000 Cash ISA LImit – What Will Change in 2027? I discussed this important change to savings rules coming next year. It concerns the Government’s decision to reduce the annual Cash ISA allowance from £20,000 to £12,000 from April 2027. There is one very important caveat, which is that the new £12,000 limit will only apply to people under the age of 65. If you’re 65 or over, you will still be able to put up to £20,000 a year into a Cash ISA. This post explains everything we know so far.

One other thing is that, if you’re looking to change your energy provider as winter approaches, EDF Energy have enhanced their usual bonus offer. Instead of £50 you can now get a £75 bonus credited to your account if you sign up with EDF via my referral link. This offer closes on 6 October 2026, so you will need to move smartly now. I’ve been with EDF myself for several years. In my experience they offer a reliable service along with prices that are generally very competitive. If you do choose to do this via my link I will receive a bonus as well, which is very much appreciated 🙂

Also, the Trading 212 welcome offer has reopened. If you haven’t done this before, you can get a free share worth up to £100 just for signing up to this investment platform using my referral link, You can also see my blog post about this at https://www.poundsandsense.com/get-a-free-share-worth-up-to-100-with-trading-212. The current offer closes on 3rd November 2026.

I’ll close with my customary reminder that you can also follow Pounds and Sense on Facebook or Twitter (or X as it is now). Twitter/X is my number one social media platform and I post regularly there. I share the latest news and information on financial matters, and other things that interest, amuse or concern me. So if you aren’t following my PAS account on Twitter/X, you are definitely missing out!

  • I am also on the BlueSky social media network under the username poundsandsense.bsky.social. Twitter/X remains my primary social media platform, but I also post details of my latest blog posts, third-party articles and other financial news and resources on BlueSky for those who prefer to follow me there.

As always, if you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them below. I am always delighted to hear from PAS readers 🙂

Disclaimer: I am not a qualified financial adviser and nothing in this blog post should be construed as personal financial advice. Everyone should do their own ‘due diligence’ before investing and seek professional advice if in any doubt how best to proceed. All investing carries a risk of loss. 

Note also that posts on PAS may include affiliate links. If you click through and perform a qualifying transaction, I may receive a commission for introducing you. This will not affect the product or service you receive or the terms you are offered, but it does help support me in publishing PAS and paying my bills. Thank you!

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Get Your Will Written Free of Charge in October

Get Your Will Written Free of Charge in October

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Did you know that October is Free Wills Month?

Free Wills Month brings together a group of well-respected charities to offer members of the public aged 55 and over the opportunity to have their wills written or updated free using participating solicitors across the UK.

The charities involved include the NSPCC, Dogs Trust, British Heart Foundation, Mind, Age UK, The Stroke Association, PDSA, and many others. Free Wills Month happens twice a year, in March and October.

The scheme covers simple wills only, including ‘mirror wills’ for couples. In the latter case, only one member of the couple has to be 55 or over. If you need a complicated will (most people don’t) you can still have this done but may have to pay a top-up fee.

I have talked about the importance of creating a will and why you should get it done by a properly qualified solicitor previously on PAS. An up-to-date will written by a solicitor will ensure that your wishes are respected and will avoid causing legal complications for your loved ones after you are gone.

Free Wills Month means what it says. There are no catches, although the organizers hope that you will choose to leave a donation to charity in your will. There is no obligation to do this, however.

To take part in Free Wills Month click through to the website during October and fill in your details. You can then pick a solicitor from the list of companies taking part and contact them to book an appointment. Appointments are limited and on a first come, first served basis, so it’s best to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

  • Free Wills Month October 2026 starts officially on Thursday 1st October 2026 but you can sign up now on the FWM website to be notified when when the campaign starts in your area.

If you have any comments or questions about this subject, as ever, please do post them below.

Note: This is a revised and updated version of my original post on this subject.



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UK Government Bonds: Are Gilts Worth Considering Now?

UK Government Bonds: Are Gilts Worth Considering Now?

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UK government bonds – better known as gilts – have been attracting renewed attention from investors.

That is hardly surprising. After years when interest rates and bond yields were unusually low, gilt yields have risen substantially. In September 2026, the yield on 10-year UK government bonds recently climbed above 5.3%, its highest level since 2007. Even more strikingly, yields on 20- and 30-year gilts have reached their highest levels since 1998.

For investors looking for a relatively low-risk home for some of their money, this may look attractive.

But there is more to gilts than simply seeing a headline yield of 5% or more. Bond prices can fall as well as rise, and the return you actually receive depends on which gilt you buy, the price you pay and how long you hold it.

So, are gilts worth considering now – and what are the best ways for private investors to buy them?

What exactly is a gilt?

A gilt is essentially a loan to the UK Government.

When you buy a gilt, you are lending money to the government. In return, the government normally pays you interest (known as the coupon) twice a year and repays the face value of the gilt when it matures.

For example, suppose you buy a gilt with a nominal value of £1,000 and a 4% coupon.

You would normally receive £40 a year in interest, paid in two instalments of £20.

At maturity, assuming the gilt is held to redemption, you receive the £1,000 face value back.

Gilts are issued by HM Treasury and the UK Debt Management Office (DMO) manages the gilt issuance programme.

There are also index-linked gilts, where both the interest payments and redemption value are linked to inflation. These work somewhat differently from conventional gilts and can potentially provide useful protection against inflation.

Why have gilt yields risen so much?

Bond yields move around for several reasons, but interest-rate and inflation expectations are particularly important.

The recent rise has been driven by a combination of factors, including concerns about inflation, higher oil prices, expectations about future Bank of England interest rates and worries about government borrowing.

The latest move has been particularly pronounced at the long end of the market. On 8 September, for example, the UK Government sold 30-year gilts at a yield of 5.82%, the highest borrowing cost for a comparable issue since 1998.

This matters to investors because higher gilt yields generally mean lower gilt prices.

That may sound counter-intuitive. After all, wouldn’t a higher yield be good news?

It is – if you are buying the bond now.

But existing bonds have to adjust in price to compete with newly issued bonds offering higher yields.

Coupon versus yield – an important distinction

One of the easiest mistakes to make with gilts is to confuse the coupon with the yield.

Suppose a gilt has a 3% coupon but can currently be bought for £90 for every £100 of face value.

You still receive the coupon based on the £100 face value. But because you only paid £90, your overall return if you hold the gilt to maturity is higher than 3%.

This is where the yield to maturity comes in.

The yield to maturity takes account of:

  • the purchase price
  • the coupon payments
  • the time remaining until maturity
  • the £100 redemption value.

The DMO gives a useful example of this. A gilt bought for £90 and held to maturity can produce a yield significantly above its coupon because the investor also receives a £10 capital uplift when the government redeems it at £100.

This is why investors should generally compare gilts using their yield to maturity, rather than simply looking at the coupon.

The big attraction: relatively low credit risk

One of the main reasons people buy gilts is security.

The borrower is the UK Government, rather than a company or individual. Provided the gilt is held until maturity and the UK Government meets its obligations, the investor receives the promised interest and redemption payment.

That makes gilts considerably less risky from a credit perspective than shares or corporate bonds.

However, “low risk” does not mean “no risk”.

There are two particularly important risks to understand.

Risk 1: Gilt prices can fall

If you buy an individual gilt and hold it until maturity, short-term movements in its market price may not matter much.

But if you need to sell before maturity, they certainly do.

Suppose you buy a 20-year gilt paying a relatively attractive yield today. If interest rates subsequently rise further, newly issued bonds may offer higher yields.

Your gilt therefore becomes less attractive and its market price can fall.

The longer the maturity, the more sensitive a conventional gilt tends to be to changes in interest rates. A 20- or 30-year gilt can therefore experience quite substantial price movements.

The DMO itself warns that the market value of gilts can go down as well as up, potentially resulting in a loss if you sell before redemption.

This is one reason why investors approaching or in retirement should be cautious about automatically choosing the longest-dated gilt simply because it offers the highest yield.

Risk 2: Inflation

A gilt paying 5% might sound very attractive.

But if inflation is running at 4%, your real return is much less impressive.

And if inflation were to remain high for several years, a fixed-interest gilt could lose purchasing power.

Index-linked gilts are designed to address this particular problem because their payments and redemption value are linked to an inflation index.

They have their own complexities, though, and aren’t necessarily suitable for everyone.

So why consider gilts now?

There are several reasons why gilts may be worth a look.

1. Yields are much more attractive than they used to be

For much of the 2010s and early 2020s, investors had to accept extremely low yields on government bonds.

That situation has changed.

With longer-term gilt yields now around 5% or more, bonds can potentially make a meaningful contribution to portfolio income.

2. You can lock in a return for a known period

With an individual gilt, you know the maturity date and the payments that are due under its terms.

If you choose a gilt maturing in, say, five years and hold it to redemption, you don’t have to worry about what the market price is doing in the meantime.

That can be particularly useful for someone who knows they will need a particular amount of money at a particular time.

3. Gilts can diversify a share portfolio

Shares and government bonds behave differently.

They can both fall in value, particularly during periods of financial stress, but they are driven by different factors.

Holding some gilts alongside equities can therefore reduce the overall volatility of an investment portfolio.

4. There is a valuable tax advantage

One particularly attractive feature for UK investors is that capital gains on UK government gilts are exempt from Capital Gains Tax. HMRC confirms that gains on qualifying UK government gilts are exempt from CGT.

This can make certain gilts particularly interesting to investors who hold investments outside an ISA or pension.

For example, if you buy a gilt below its £100 redemption value and hold it until maturity, the difference between what you paid and the £100 you receive at redemption is normally a capital gain. With qualifying gilts, that gain is not subject to CGT.

There is an important catch, however: the interest you receive is still taxable income when gilts are held outside a tax wrapper.

For that reason, gilts can also be worth considering inside an ISA or pension/SIPP, where the investment income receives the relevant tax advantages of the wrapper.




How can you invest in gilts?

There are several routes.

Option 1: Buy individual gilts through an investment platform

For many private investors, this is probably the most straightforward approach.

Platforms such as Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell, Interactive Investor and others allow investors to buy individual gilts through their dealing services.

You can choose a particular gilt based on:

  • its maturity date
  • its current price
  • its coupon
  • its yield to maturity.

You can then hold it until maturity or sell it beforehand.

This approach gives you considerable control over exactly what you are investing in.

It can be especially useful if your objective is something like:

“I want to invest £20,000 and have it mature in approximately five years.”

You can select gilts with a suitable maturity date rather than leaving the timing to a bond fund manager.

Option 2: Buy gilts through the DMO’s retail service

The UK Debt Management Office also operates a Purchase and Sale Service for UK retail investors.

This provides access to gilts in the secondary market and is administered by Computershare.

However, it is an execution-only service and doesn’t offer the convenience or functionality of a modern investment platform.

For many investors, a mainstream investment platform will therefore be easier.

Option 3: Invest through a gilt fund or ETF

Instead of buying individual gilts, you can invest in a gilt fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF).

This has some important advantages.

A fund can hold dozens or even hundreds of government bonds, giving you diversification without having to select individual issues.

You also don’t have to worry about choosing a particular maturity date.

However, there is an important difference.

A gilt fund does not mature.

If you buy an individual gilt and hold it to maturity, you know that the government is scheduled to repay its face value at a specified date.

A bond fund continually buys and sells bonds as part of its management. Its value can therefore continue to rise and fall indefinitely.

This means a gilt fund can be more volatile than someone might expect from the phrase “government bonds”.

Funds and ETFs can nevertheless be an excellent choice for investors who want broad exposure to the UK government bond market rather than a specific maturity.

Which is better – individual gilts or a gilt fund?

It depends on what you are trying to achieve.

If your priority is… You might consider…
Knowing exactly when your investment matures Individual gilt
Locking in a yield to a particular date Individual gilt
Creating a ladder of future maturities Individual gilts
Diversifying across many bonds Gilt fund/ETF
Simplicity Gilt fund/ETF
Regularly adjusting the portfolio Gilt fund/ETF
Avoiding the need to select individual issues Gilt fund/ETF

For someone in or approaching retirement, I think the individual gilt approach is particularly interesting when you have a known future spending requirement.

For example, if you know that £10,000 will be needed in four years’ time, buying a suitable gilt maturing around then can potentially be a useful way of matching an investment with that future liability.

What about ISAs and SIPPs?

Gilts can be held within tax-efficient wrappers such as Stocks and Shares ISAs and SIPPs, subject to the rules of the particular platform.

This can be attractive because the interest and investment gains then benefit from the tax advantages of the wrapper.

However, remember that gilts already have the unusual advantage of being exempt from CGT when held outside a wrapper.

Consequently, the tax calculation isn’t always as straightforward as it is with shares or funds.

For someone with substantial taxable investment income, keeping interest-generating investments inside an ISA or pension can still be valuable.

And for investors who have already used their ISA allowance, the CGT exemption on qualifying gilts can make them worth considering in a taxable investment account.

What about short-dated gilts?

Don’t assume that longer-dated gilts are necessarily better.

If your main objective is protecting your capital over a relatively short period, a short-dated gilt may be more appropriate.

Shorter-term bonds are generally less sensitive to changes in interest rates than long-dated ones.

There is also a growing UK Treasury-bill market. Treasury bills are very short-term government securities and are intended primarily as liquidity and cash-management instruments rather than long-term investments. The government is also expanding the range of Treasury-bill maturities available.

For an investor who simply wants somewhere relatively low-risk to park money for a year or two, these shorter-duration instruments may be worth investigating alongside conventional gilts.

Should you buy now?

This is the difficult question.

The fact that gilt yields have risen sharply doesn’t mean they cannot rise further.

Indeed, recent events demonstrate how quickly bond markets can move. On 10 September, for example, the 10-year gilt yield reached 5.378%, while 30-year yields approached 5.95%.

If inflation remains stubbornly high or interest rates rise further, gilt prices could fall and yields could rise again.

On the other hand, if inflation subsides and interest rates eventually fall, today’s relatively high yields could prove attractive. Bond prices would also tend to rise, particularly for longer-dated gilts.

In other words, nobody knows whether today’s gilt yields represent the top of the market or merely another stage in a longer-term rise.

This is why I would be wary of trying to call the exact bottom or top of the gilt market.

Instead, investors could consider spreading purchases over time, particularly if investing a substantial lump sum.

A simple gilt strategy

One approach I particularly like for cautious investors is a gilt ladder.

Rather than putting £50,000 into one long-dated gilt, for example, you might divide the money between several gilts maturing at different dates.

You could have gilts maturing in approximately:

  • 2027
  • 2028
  • 2029
  • 2030
  • 2031

As each gilt matures, you receive the capital back and can decide what to do with it.

You could spend the money, reinvest it in another gilt, or use it for another investment.

This reduces the risk of having to make one big bet on where interest rates will be five, ten or twenty years from now.

Don’t confuse gilts with savings accounts

There is one final point worth stressing.

A gilt is not the same thing as a fixed-rate savings account.

With a savings account, you normally know exactly how much interest you will receive and how much money you will get back at the end of the fixed term.

With a gilt, you can lose money if you sell it before maturity.

For example, if you buy a long-dated gilt and interest rates subsequently rise sharply, its market value could fall considerably.

If you are certain you will need the money before maturity, this matters.

If you can hold the gilt until redemption, the interim price fluctuations are much less important.

My verdict

For many UK investors, particularly those approaching or in retirement, gilts are worth another look now that yields are substantially higher.

They can offer:

  • relatively low credit risk
  • a potentially attractive income
  • known maturity dates
  • portfolio diversification
  • protection from CGT on qualifying gilts
  • the ability to match investments with future spending needs.

But they are not risk-free.

The biggest danger is buying a long-dated gilt without appreciating how much its price can fall if interest rates rise further. And a 5% yield isn’t necessarily a 5% real return if inflation remains high.

For investors who want simplicity and diversification, a gilt fund or ETF may be the better choice.

For those who want to know exactly when their money will be returned, buying individual gilts and holding them to maturity can be particularly appealing.

With yields now at levels rarely seen in recent decades, I think gilts deserve a place on the shortlist of options for cautious investors. But, as ever, the right choice depends on your timescale, tax position, need for income and willingness to accept fluctuations in value.

And perhaps the most important lesson is this: Don’t buy a gilt simply because the headline yield looks attractive. Look at the yield to maturity, the maturity date and the risks involved before investing.

NOTE: This article is for information and education only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invest. If you are in any doubt how best to proceed, I strongly recommend speaking to a professional financial adviser or financial planner. 




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How Eating a Handful of Nuts Each Day May Help Lower Your Blood Pressure

How Eating a Handful of Nuts Each Day May Help Lower Your Blood Pressure

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Today I have a syndicated guest post for you from Shireen Kassam, University of Winchester and Dagfinn Aune, Imperial College London.  It’s on a subject I believe many older readers of this blog (in particular) may find of interest.

This article was originally published in The Conversation and is republished here under a Creative Commons licence.

More than 1.4 billion people worldwide live with high blood pressure (hypertension). It’s the single biggest metabolic risk factor for early death – driving diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and dementia.

Most of these cases of high blood pressure are shaped by how we live and what we eat. This means that making changes to your diet can have a big impact on your risk of developing high blood pressure.

Even small changes can help, as our latest research shows. We found that adding just one serving of nuts into your daily diet is linked with lower hypertension risk.

It’s well known that eating more plant foods is associated with a lower risk of hypertension – but research on the impact of nuts has been limited to date.

Fruits and vegetables are associated with a lower risk of hypertension, with consumption of 800g (ten portions) per day reducing the risk by 11%.

Whole grains – brown rice, oats, wholemeal bread – are similarly linked to lower risk of hypertension. Our research found that the people who consumed the highest amount of whole grains each day had a roughly 26% lower risk compared to people consuming the least.

We have also shown that legumes and soya are associated with a 16% and 19% lower risk of hypertension respectively.

Our latest analysis published in the British Journal of Nutrition, now shows the clear impact eating nuts can have on hypertension risk.

Our study pooled data from 143,000 people – including 20,665 people who had hypertension. We found that eating around a handful of nuts daily (between 30-35g) was linked with a 26% lower risk of hypertension compared to not eating any nuts.

Why plant foods work

Plant foods share a few key characteristics, which may explain why they’re beneficial for the heart.

They are an excellent source of potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure by shedding sodium and relaxing blood vessels.

Plant foods also provide fibre that feeds gut bacteria so they can produce short-chain fatty acids – compounds that are linked to lower blood pressure.

Many plant foods also contain L-arginine and nitrates, which the body converts into nitric oxide in order to widen blood vessels. Plant foods are rich in polyphenols, which have also been associated with lower blood pressure.

Despite nuts being energy-dense, they’re linked to lower obesity rates – thus helping to mitigate another risk factor for hypertension.

These overlapping mechanisms all nudge blood pressure down, and help explain the link between plant-rich diets and lower risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Eating a well-balanced diet that contains plant foods will have the greatest heart health benefits.

But as tempting as it might be to call nuts a heart health “superfood,” their real power lies within a broader pattern of healthy eating. While reductions in hypertension risk are observed with intake of even just one daily serving of nuts, a diet built around several whole plant foods may provide even further benefits.

This is exactly what Dash, Mediterranean and plant-based diets prove. They all work because they put these different plant-based foods on the same plate.

However, it’s worth noting that the studies included in our analysis are observational. This means they show that people who eat more nuts tend to have lower blood pressure, but they cannot fully prove that nuts are the cause.

People who consume more plant foods in their diet also tend to follow other healthy lifestyle habits such as regular physical activity. Although our analysis adjusted for many of these factors, we cannot fully rule their impact out.

But the randomised controlled Dash diet trials, where diet is actually changed to include more vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, are what give us confidence the link is real. Similarly, intervention trials, which compared the effects of multiple different plant-based diets, also show benefits for blood pressure reduction.

There are knowledge gaps to note, too. The nut studies we included in our review did not separate salted from unsalted. Since salt raises blood pressure, the true benefit of unsalted nuts may even be larger than reported.

Most of the data also came from Europe, the Americas and East Asia. Little evidence came from Africa and India. More large studies conducted in a variety of regions will help sharpen the evidence base.

The takeaway is practical and affordable. You don’t need supplements or fads. Fill half your plate with fruit and veg, choose whole grains, build meals around beans and tofu and add a handful of unsalted nuts. These are small habits that add up to a significant reduction in one of our biggest health risks.The Conversation

Shireen Kassam, Visiting Professor, Health and Wellbeing Research Group, University of Winchester and Dagfinn Aune, Research Fellow, School of Public Health, Imperial College London

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

As always, if you have any comments about this article, please do post them below.

 




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