HEATING INNOVATION
www.heatingandventilating.net
An innovation in low carbon home heating
Oliver Baker, chief executive at Ambion Heating examines the benefits of low carbon heat panels and role in unlocking Net Zero
O
ne of the core objectives of recent government publications, such as the Heat and Buildings Strategy, is to ensure more properties are fitted with low-carbon heating systems.
Indeed, last year the Future Homes Task Force, including some of the UK’s
largest property developers, regulators, suppliers and environmental groups, agreed to the sector-wide Future Homes Delivery Plan to build homes that are ‘zero-carbon ready’ and sustainable by 2025. The Task Force was established to help the housebuilding sector meet the
Government’s Future Homes Standard, which is set to come into force in 2025, ensuring all new homes will produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes delivered under current regulations. However, this only tells part of the story. The UK also has a hugely diverse
range of existing housing stock that needs to be made more efficient. This was highlighted as a major issue in the Climate Change Committee’s most recent Net Zero progress report to Government, which said that the UK would miss the Net Zero by 2050 target unless there was a greater policy focus around the decarbonisation of buildings. Central to this will be heating. Heat pumps have grabbed the headlines as the technology deemed most likely to meet this challenge, but they don’t come without their issues. There are millions of properties where heat pumps aren’t the most feasible, cost-effective or efficient solution such as accommodation blocks, terraced homes or properties with low thermal efficiency. Therefore, there is a need for a range of innovative heating technologies to fill the gaps, to achieve a low-carbon transition that is accessible for all. These technologies will include innovative, future-proof, efficient electric heating systems. Some, such as Ambion’s low carbon heat panels, are already being installed in Net Zero homes trials across the UK, to assess how they perform when compared to conventional heating systems. So, what will these heating systems need to achieve?
A significant reduction in energy costs and carbon
Amidst the current cost of living crisis, reducing energy demand is a high priority. Low carbon heat panels use 60% less electricity than conventional electric heating by combining constant dynamic pulsing of electricity with radiant infrared heat panels to reduce bills and minimise carbon emissions. It works by saving energy through a control system, which replaces thermostats. This control system uses constant dynamic pulsing of electricity to each panel – therefore each ‘off’ pulse is saving energy. Infrared heat panels are used because building materials absorb and store
infrared, releasing it between pulses, making it a suitable partner for the pulsing approach. The pulsing routine needs constant updating to match the changing thermal conditions in a room. This is achieved using software and algorithms which determine the optimum duration and timing of the pulsing routine at any given moment. In all, this reduces both energy consumption and carbon emissions while maintaining a warm, comfortable heat.
The system also reduces the unit cost of electricity because it works best
across 24 hours. This flat demand profile – there are no morning or evening energy spikes in usage ¬– also means that if a homeowner is on a flexi tariff, the system can achieve around a 25% saving in the unit cost of energy. So, if you put those two things together – the 60% reduction in electricity usage with the 25% saving on unit cost – the running cost is very comparable with gas.
Effective efficiencies across a range of properties
Importantly, this technology also drives efficiencies across a wide range of properties, and is particularly effective in accommodation blocks, terraced homes, and old, less thermally efficient buildings, as well as new builds. The system is always-on (and always pulsing) and so it’s great for those working from home, young families and the elderly who spend long periods at home, as they get constant thermal comfort at an affordable price.
Simple installation and minimal maintenance
One of the benefits of this system is that the units are easy to install, whether they’re being retrofitted into an existing building or installed within a new build, because they simply need wiring into the mains rather than plumbing in. Therefore, a contractor can install the system and move onto the next job in minimal time. Another benefit is that they reduce the administrative burden of processing
warranty claims. The system has no moving parts and requires no annual maintenance, so makes an ideal choice for end user customers who want to ensure that they have minimum after sales issues.
A future-proof solution
For us, the future of heating is electric – it is the sensible choice for the low- carbon transition. However, while some heating solutions could seem to be a ‘safe bet’ right now, it is likely they will be overtaken by newer and more innovative and efficient systems in the not too distant future. Therefore, it is important to take time to understand and investigate all the
alternatives to fossil fuel heating to ensure that the benefits are not only felt in the short term but are also sustainable solutions for the longer term.
30 August 2022
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