AFFORABLE HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Digitalisation and the future of low-carbon housing
The UK housing sector is at the forefront of a digital transformation, as the nation pushes towards a sustainable, Net-Zero future. Digitalisation is reshaping the way homes are built, managed, and lived in, playing a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency. Tom Brough, GTC sales and marketing director explains
B
y leveraging smart technologies, digitalisation enables seamless integration between low-carbon heating systems, the electricity grid, and user interfaces, making sustainable living both practical
and accessible.
The role of digitalisation in decarbonising the UK housing sector
Digitalisation is transforming the UK housing sector by enabling data-driven insights, automation, and connectivity between systems. This shift plays a significant role in decarbonising homes, aligning with the Future Homes Standard, which mandates new homes to achieve high energy
efficiency and low-carbon emissions. With the help of digital technologies, energy-efficient heating systems can now operate in harmony with the electricity grid, balancing energy demand and supply while giving users greater control over their consumption.
Heating, which traditionally depended on carbon-intensive sources, has become a critical area of focus in this digital transformation. Low- carbon heating systems like Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps and Community Heat Hubs, when coupled with smart technologies like a Passiv Smart Thermostat, create sophisticated ecosystems where data is used to optimise energy use, enhance comfort, and support grid stability. Through this digital integration, homes can achieve high efficiency without placing undue strain on the grid, making electrification sustainable at scale.
Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps: a digital-ready, low- carbon solution
Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps, when installed as part of a smart bundled solution, can meet the demands of modern, digitalised homes. Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps work by extracting thermal energy stored in the ground, which is then amplified by a heat pump to provide consistent, efficient heating. As an electrically driven system, Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps represent an essential component of electrification efforts, but their digital capabilities are what truly enhance their value.
When integrated with smart thermostat technology, Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps enable residents to set their comfort levels. The device then optimises the homes energy use in real-time, making informed adjustments. This removes the need for manual adjustment, creating a seamless, easy-to-use home energy management system. This smart technology also contributes to grid stability by allowing homes to respond to demand-side incentives. For example, users can be incentivised to reduce their heating demand during peak times, reducing pressure on the grid and lowering overall energy costs. This level of digital flexibility makes homes future-proofed, supporting not only today’s energy needs but also those of a rapidly evolving, decarbonised energy landscape.
Community Heat Hubs: centralised, digitalised heating for larger developments
Community Heat Hubs bring low-carbon heating to multi-unit developments and urban communities, where individual heat pumps may not be feasible. Community Heat Hubs use a shared heat network to distribute renewable heat to multiple homes, centralising energy use and creating efficiencies that align well with grid demands. Through digitalisation, Community Heat Hubs offer even greater benefits, with
12 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AUGUST 2025 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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