LOW CARBON BUILDINGS
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Stepping into the future with new homes and new heating
Sean Keleher, technical director at Navien UK, takes a look at what really matters when recommending heating solutions for new build properties - and why installers should be stepping up their game to deliver the future of the heating industry
T
he mounting costs of energy have been squeezing homeowner’s budgets for years, driving more focus to be placed on improving and optimising heating technology to deliver more energy efficiency and reduce household bills – with a key focus being placed on new build properties. A recent Uswitch research shows that first-time
buyers are generally getting older, with an average age of 34 when they enter the property market for the first time. Unsurprisingly, this new generation of tech-savvy and environmentally conscious house-buying millennials is changing how things are done. Typically, those buying new builds are looking for boilers with high-efficiency ratings and more advanced heating technology to achieve even greater savings and a lower carbon footprint. For the installer, more can be done to help customers’ back pockets as well as the planet - especially in new build homes, so let’s delve a little deeper into how you can do just that.
New policy drivers
Firstly, you’re not alone in supporting your customers’ evolving needs. Recently, the government has set out an ambitious plan to build 1.5 million new homes across England in the next five years, which has served as a wake-up call for the heating industry and presents a significant opportunity to change the current practices to support the housing sector in moving to more sustainable heating solutions. On top of its commitments to new build homes,
the government is also pushing a more sustainable agenda. In the Chancellor’s first budget, she committed £3.4 billion towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency over the next three years. While some of this will support fuel poverty initiatives and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales, a significant slice will also support the growth of the heat pump industry. Complementing this, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero has selected six towns and cities as trial areas for the nation’s first heat network zones. With the chosen areas Leeds, Plymouth, Bristol, Stockport, Sheffield, along with two areas of London, participating in the £5.8m pilot programme.
The new schemes will use trailblazing technology
to provide heating. Excess heat from data centres - which would otherwise be wasted - will heat the Old Oak and Park Royal Development in London. In Leeds, commercial buildings will get their heating from a nearby glass factory. The scheme is focused on large commercial and public buildings such as hospitals, universities, hotels, supermarkets and office blocks, demonstrating the technology at scale. However, we could see future heat network zones used for residential properties. This government has made it clear that they see the future of heating as being smart, sustainable and better connected, something that we’re actively supporting here at Navien UK – and clearly demonstrating from our history of innovation.
Modern solutions
As a result of these changes, we can see that there is a push-and-pull demand for more sustainable new homes – the drive from the government and the changing needs of younger house buyers. For installers working on new build
developments, it is crucial to understand these twin drivers for cost-effective heating systems
that enhance energy efficiency and reduce utility bills while also meeting the needs of a modern household. To help installers make an informed decision
on what’s right for the property, let’s take a look at what heating solutions need to be considered:
Combi boilers
New build developments also address the growing demand for multiple bathrooms in each property. Research from Savills indicates that this can lead to a price premium of up to 20% more per square foot. Traditionally, to meet these demands, a system boiler would be required, which takes up additional space for a cylinder. However, this desire for more hot water outlets does not mean that installers have to recommend system boilers. Modern combi boilers are more than capable of meeting this increased demand while still retaining their efficiency and cost-saving benefits. Ultimately, what you can get for your money today seems to be shrinking, especially in built-up urban areas; that’s why space is essential for buyers. Despite a sleek and modern design, ideally, no
26 February 2025
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