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HEATING, VENTILATION & PLUMBING
Oliver Baker, CEO of Ambion Heating, makes his case as to why a diverse approach to heating technology is critical for the success of the Future Homes Standard.
Oliver Baker, CEO of Ambion Heating
Hedge Your Bets N ext year, the Future Homes Standard (FHS) will come into effect in England. Its purpose is to ensure that newly built houses are future-proofed with low-carbon heating and leading levels of energy efficiency to help the UK meet its legally binding net zero target by 2050. To effectively achieve its purpose, the FHS must take a diverse approach to heating. Without it, the UK may struggle to reach its emissions target on time. Residential properties in the UK contribute to approximately 17% of the country's carbon emissions due to the majority of properties being heated with natural gas. To transition homes away from fossil fuels, the new standard heavily focuses on heat pumps or heat networks to reduce emissions in future buildings, alongside improved energy efficiency measures. While many properties have already had heat pumps installed, the UK has just 412 heat pumps per 100,000 people, significantly behind its European neighbours.
Eggs in multiple low-carbon baskets
With a lower-than-expected uptake for heat pumps over the last two years for existing properties, can this technology be relied on to meet the ambitions of the FHS? Heat pumps have a vital role to play in the future of heat, but they shouldn’t be the only consideration around low-carbon heating. Even with world-leading levels of energy efficiency, heat pumps don’t fully address the high cost of energy and have large upfront installation costs. Space is also another factor to bear in mind for property developers and housebuilders. The FHS will cover all homes, including urban and social housing, for which space is a key aspect. Of the current number of heat pumps already installed, 74% were in a rural location and for typically larger homes, with an average of four bedrooms. For properties in urban areas, where space is
38 July/August Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer
limited, heat pumps may not be the most suitable solution, and heat networks offer little control for the occupants to change energy suppliers.
Benefits of infrared heating panels
Taking all this into account, one piece of the FHS puzzle should include low-carbon infrared heating panels. These are ideal for smaller homes, like flats, with no barriers around limited installation space. Infrared heating is well positioned to overcome the challenges of traditional convection systems, as well as the environmental concerns of gas heating. Infrared heat works like the sun, without any harmful rays. The fabric of the building and the materials within a room absorb and store the infrared waves, making it easier to maintain an ambient temperature for longer. Installation is quick, easy and hasslefree, as no pipework or radiators are needed. Any qualified electrician can install infrared panels, and installation costs are half that of a heat pump. Infrared heating panels, when paired with Ambion’s unique control system, can also dramatically reduce energy usage and the unit cost of electricity by maintaining a room’s temperature within 0.1°C of its target, 24 hours a day. This flat demand profile means there are no morning or evening energy spikes in usage, reducing costs for energy consumers as well as developers. Low-carbon heat panels also provide an attractive low-carbon solution, especially when combined with solar PV and battery storage. By taking advantage of all the low-carbon heating technologies currently available, all future homes have the potential to be net zero while being cost-effective.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
For more on infrared heating panels, visit www.rdr.link/daw042