DOMESTIC AIR CONDITIONING


Homes of the future need climate control not central heating


Rick Clarke, product manager for NIBE, looks at the future of domestic HVAC, which in the new build sector utilises technology that covers heating, ventilation and cooling all in one; perfect for inner-city apartments and the latest energy effi cient homes.


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It is likely that we will see EAHPs used more widely across all types of new build in the coming years.


omes of the ‘future’ are happening now, with a focus on comfort, sustainability, air quality and increasingly, cooling as we tackle both climate change, and more


energy effi cient buildings that prevent heat loss, potentially leaving occupants too warm. To create this future-proof housing, modern housebuilders have to meet a number of standards and building regulations, including Part L, the conservation of fuel and power Part F, which focuses on ventilation and internal air quality and increasingly, Part O, centred around the mitigation of over- heating in residential buildings. The Future Homes Standard is also just around the corner. While older UK properties have a reputation for being


draughty, new homes are extremely energy effi cient and good at retaining heat. In inner-city locations, where noise and pollution are an issue, opening a window is not always the best option and with rising summer temperatures, including a record-breaking 40°C + in 2022, mechanical cooling is becoming essential for health and comfort. In commercial workspaces and often high-end apartments, the trend for extensive glazing also exacerbates the risk of overheating. Delivering this cooling (and heating) presents a challenge


where a lack of space and aesthetic considerations mean external citing of heat pumps and/or air conditioning units – many heat pumps do both – is sometimes not a viable option. Flats and apartments don’t usually have gardens, and if there is some outside space, a balcony or roof terrace, most specifi ers and residents don’t want this premium commodity fi lled with HVAC plant. Heating and cooling needs to take place centrally, through a district system, and/or internally within each home.


These challenges, seemingly at odds with each other – sustainability vs comfort and then comfort vs aesthetics – can be countered by the latest heat pump solutions that deliver more than just heating and hot water and crucially, don’t take-up external real estate. Taking our cues from


26 January 2025 • www.acr-news.com


Scandanavia, where both heat pumps and more energy effi cient homes have been commonplace for decades, Exhaust Air Heat Pumps (EAHPs) off er a solution that meets the climactic, wellbeing and space-saving concerns of modern buildings and are particularly well suited to densely populated locations. EAHPs extract heat from inside a building, with the heat pump, hot water cylinder and sometimes ventilation, all housed within one box situated internally. Relatively simple to install, the latest versions benefi t from enhanced environmental credentials, utilising ‘natural’ refrigerant, R290. The evolution of this product is the addition of cooling, so the same unit, with no need for any additional pipes or ducting, but providing temperature control all year round.


A new type of cooling The other benefi t of the latest EAHPs is that they deliver dual


cooling through increased, ventilated air fl ow and also by delivering colder temperatures via underfl oor heating and fan coil radiators, which can be run as low as 15⁰C, ensuring a comfortable environment on even the hottest days, a feature that can work particularly well at night. When coupled with the latest controls, which enhance


energy effi ciency by working with time of use tariff s, feature weather compensation and even adjust CO2 levels based on the number of people in the room, EAHPs off er a cost-eff ective year-round climate control solution for the modern home. For end users, Wi Fi connectivity, voice activation and


interconnection with a ‘smart’ home, means these appliances fi t well with the expectations of new build customers, many of whom value a hi-tech approach to home automation. In tenanted properties, having a central place to view


HVAC operation, through an app, for example, such as NIBE’s MyUplink Pro, can be benefi cial to landlords, as well as providing a place for installers to trouble-shoot issues remotely, often removing the need for site visits.


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