HEATING, VENTILATION & SERVICES 75
Navigating the future of sustainable heating
Peter Mintoft of Charlton & Jenrick explores the future of sustainable heating, focusing on ‘secondary’ heating appliances, and their impact on architectural practice
T
he importance of integrating energy-efficient solutions within architectural design has never
been more critical. As environmental concerns grow, so too does the demand for sustainable building practices. Architects are now expected to create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also energy-efficient and environmentally responsible. The challenge lies in balancing these demands with the need for comfort and functionality, especially when it comes to heating systems.
Sustainable heating is a key area where architects can make a significant impact. Traditional heating methods, which often rely on fossil fuels, contribute to high carbon emissions, and are increasingly seen as unsustainable. As a result, the industry is witnessing a shift towards more eco-friendly alternatives. Architects are uniquely positioned as innovators to lead this transition by incorporating the right sustainable heating solutions into their designs, ensuring that buildings are energy- efficient, low emission and future-proof. The adoption of high efficiency-low- emission heating technologies for the primary heating system now tends to be standard practice in the design process. Heat pumps are excellent at a steady state or low change operation and can capably provide the base heat load requirements for a building. However, practical usage of spaces within the building is often anything but steady state, so a strategic secondary heating appliance allows the user to rapidly tailor the temperatures at times when needed as well as bringing far wider wellbeing benefits to the living area. Electric fires, wood-burning stoves, and gas stoves that meet stringent environmental standards offer architects the opportunity to reduce a building’s carbon footprint while still
ADF SEPTEMBER 2024
delivering effective heating solutions that can provide improved responsiveness and flexibility.
Electric heating solutions have gained traction due to decarbonisation of the grid resulting in their carbon emissions being lower compared to traditional gas and oil appliances. Additional appeal is that they are therefore zero emission at the point of use which may attract certain clients or fulfil a specific brief. Electric fires provide a versatile and clean alternative that can be easily integrated and built into various design schemes. Most units being turnkey or ‘plug and play’ minimises the need for any specialist trade other than a regular construction team. Varying from the functional and simple to the realistic, dramatic and feature rich, they offer the added benefit of being highly controllable, allowing for precise temperature management, which is essential in creating energy-efficient buildings for both
Sustainable heating is a key area where architects can make a significant impact
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