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LOW CARBON BUILDINGS boilingpoint
Overheating concerns see rise in focus on roofing ventilation
With the Future Homes Standard (FHS) set to come into effect this year, tackling the issue of overheating in homes is taking greater priority. Rising temperatures and growing awareness of climate change are highlighting the critical need for effective ventilation strategies that support mechanical extract ventilation while also balancing airtightness.
one wants to see a boiler on show in their home; that’s why the space-saving features of combi boilers are appealing. Their compact dimensions make it easier to hide discretely and offer more possibilities for locations like a kitchen cupboard or under the stairs. It’s also a win-win for installers, as combi boilers can save time on installation because you don’t need to fit a separate hot water cylinder and extensive pipework, streamlining the installation process. An example of a combi boiler capable of fulfilling the hot water needs of large
or multi-occupancy homes, is Navien’s NCB700 ON. The boiler is capable of delivering domestic hot water (DHW) to three bathrooms simultaneously, its high hot water flow rate meets these demands while still ensuring compliance with energy efficiency standards. Studies show that when installed with NaviCirc its intelligent DHW recirculation can save the average household up to 7,787 litres of water per year and up to 38% on their gas bills. It also has an ErP A rating – or ErP A+ when installed with Navien’s Smart
Plus controller - and is 20% hydrogen blend ready, helping reduce energy consumption and your customers’ bills in the long run.
Smart technology
Homeowners increasingly expect smarter appliances, and boilers are no exception. If they can control and monitor lighting or the fridge-freezer from an app, they want the same functionality from their heating system. For instance, popular features like an app that provides downloadable Home
Energy Management System (HEMS) reports now offer consumers informed insights into their energy consumption. Some apps, such as Navien’s, also enable the user to set up geofencing to a radius of 5km from the home, meaning they can set the boiler to switch on or off whenever they cross that line. This results in the property always being at the right temperature when they return home – and that they’re not burning gas to heat an empty property. And it doesn’t stop there; It has other practical benefits, such as Smart Diagnostics. Through the app, homeowners can quickly identify issues, helping to prevent a minor problem becoming a major issue. And the installer doesn’t have to worry about updating the system; ON AI uses wireless technology to download and install firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) updates. Boilers with smart technology integration enable homeowners to keep a
close eye on their energy use in real time, further fostering an energy-conscious culture within the household.
A winning combination
The adoption of cost-effective and hybrid boiler systems in new builds represents a significant opportunity to create more sustainable living environments. Together, these technologies help new build homeowners achieve sustainable living through efficient heating solutions.
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lober is emphasising the importance of correctly installed roofing ventilation to address this challenge. These measures support mechanical extract ventilation which help to balance airtightness
with effective airflow, ensuring homes meet regulatory requirements and provide healthier, more comfortable living environments. Overheating has become a pressing topic in recent years and has led to
the introduction of Part O of the Building Regulations, which specifically aims to limit solar gains and provide sufficient ventilation to remove excess heat. This responds to both the increasing climate change issues, while also helping to improve building efficiency. This is a problem that is only going to get worse, with temperatures
continually rising. According to the Met Office’s State of the UK Climate 2023 report, the number of ‘hot’ days (28°C) has more than doubled, and ‘very hot’ days (30°C) more than trebled for the most recent decade (2014-2023) compared to 1961-1990. In 2023, the UK experienced its eighth warmest summer since 1884, with June the hottest on record in the country. Under the CIBSE TM59 methodology, properties can be considered to be overheating if the internal temperature of bedrooms exceeds 26°C for just a small percentage of the night, and this can have negative impacts on peoples’ health,
wellbeing, and productivity. It can also be dangerous for the most vulnerable groups of people. In a report from Arup that was commissioned by the Climate Change Committee however, it revealed that about 55% of the UK’s housing stock is classed as overheating in the current climate. Commenting on the importance of effective ventilation strategies in meeting the standards set by Part O of the Building Regulations, Nick King, portfolio manager at Klober said: “Overheating is already a problem for many homes – with stifling temperatures being uncomfortable and known to cause issues such as exhaustion and generally triggering productivity to drop. It’s vital that, as a nation, we get on top of this issue, given that the global climate is expected to go up by a further 1.5 - 2°C in the next few decades. “Where, for example, Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) systems
are used, it is essential that effective outlets are in place to ensure their efficiency. Using high-quality roofing ventilation solutions helps to combat the overheating challenge while supporting overall building performance. “There are different options available for ventilating the roof space, with
different vents that can tackle different scenarios. By bringing awareness to the topic, we can begin to reduce this issue of overheating in the home, before the problem escalates.”
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