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The smarter path to housing decarbonisation
Smart thermostats are crucial in making heat pumps, writes Will Heinzelmann, product director at Passiv UK
Will Heinzelmann is product director at Passiv UK
The UK will have to decarbonise domestic heating if it is to meet its 2050 net zero targets. In England, housing associations own and manage 2.7 million homes for six million people, positioning social landlords as key players in delivering a zero-carbon economy. They must lead the way in providing warm, energy-efficient homes that can significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Housing association homes are, on average, more energy efficient than any other housing, but the scale of the challenge is no mean feat. For social landlords, achieving this goal means not only improving the thermal fabric of homes but also replacing traditional gas boilers with heat pumps.
This mission has been supported by government initiatives such as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, however, according to the National Audit Office, heat pumps represent just under 3% of the decarbonisation measures installed in social housing.
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Why is this? Installing heat pumps is a challenging undertaking. It needs new supply chains, involves new technologies, and can be a challenge for tenants. If not managed correctly, heating bills can rise and the whole scheme can be put at risk.
Unlike gas boilers, which operate at higher flow temperatures, heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures, meaning they take longer to heat a home – so having controls that are smart and easy to use is crucial.
Current heat pump controls are not easy to use. One study found that when presented with a typical heat pump thermostat, just 23% of people can set a heating schedule – one of the most basic and vital functions of any heating controller.
“Current heat pump controls are not easy to use. One study found that when presented with a typical heat pump thermostat, just 23% of people can set a heating schedule”
This is partly because most heat pump controls haven’t been designed for controlling heat pumps. Heat pump manufacturers generally fall into two categories: they are either air-conditioning manufacturers or boiler manufacturers that now make heat pumps.
And unfortunately, they tend to use the same controls for their heat pumps that they use for their air conditioners or boilers.
There’s a reason the average heat pump controller looks like the air conditioning control panel you find in a hotel room – and if you’ve ever tried to use one of those, you’ll understand why current controls are so poor!
So, manufacturer controls aren’t great, but what about smart thermostats? They must be easier to use.
Yes, they are. But only if you have an internet connection all the time and want to use a smartphone app to manage your comfort.
Fortunately, the latest generation of smart thermostats are designed with social tenants in mind. Installing these smart controls alongside heat pumps can help to address many of these challenges.
They can simplify the currently complex heating system controls for the tenant, providing a solution to controlling home comfort without the need for an internet connection or a smartphone, and can even lower heating bills.
They also allow tenants to earn additional income by providing flexibility to the electricity grid. Heat pumps pose a challenge to grid security. They are expected to increase the UK’s peak electricity demand from about 50GW to 130GW – an increase of over 150%.
“To ensure that the electricity supply remains secure, heat pumps will have to form part of a smart, flexible energy system”
Heat pumps typically consume the most power during cold winter evenings – times when demand is high and there’s no sun in the sky for solar panels to utilise.
However, they also offer households a great opportunity to earn extra cash, with a unique potential for flexible operation. Heat itself is an energy source that can be effectively stored and, if carefully managed, this doesn’t need to result in a cold home.
To ensure that the electricity supply remains secure, heat pumps will have to form part of a smart, flexible energy system and be capable of adjusting their operation in response to national electricity requirements. This can all be enabled through smart, connected controls. Tenants will therefore be able to earn money from the grid – a win-win in my view!
Embracing these latest smart technologies will ensure a smooth transition to more sustainable, energy-efficient housing that prioritises comfort, accessibility and affordability.
Will Heinzelmann, product director, Passiv UK
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