DECARBONISING FOR HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS/SOCIAL HOUSING OR SOCIAL HOUSING
minimising heat loss. A Heat Interface Unit (HIU) transfers the heat into individual properties to deliver heating and hot water, negating the need for a boiler to be fitted in each home.
DECARBONISATION ON NEW BUILDS For new build social housing projects, many of the issues providers face in retrofitting existing homes are diminished. This is because buildings can be designed specifically with net zero requirements in mind. New social housing will also be built in line with the Future Homes Standard, which should ensure that homes built to the standard when it is enacted produce 75-80% less emissions compared with those built under previous regulations. As such, providers generally have greater freedom to take
advantage of the latest innovations that will help them to achieve decarbonisation on their projects. Given their ability to deliver low carbon heating
and hot water, heat pumps are often the solution of choice, particularly in well-insulated new builds. This is because they provide a highly efficient, sustainable method of supplying low- carbon heating or indirect hot water requirements, especially in well-insulated buildings. Again, modular pods can be a smart option, with
heat pumps strategically placed within the design of homes. With shorter installation times, fewer skilled trades required on site and economies of scale leading to lower manufacturing costs, modular solutions can help social housing providers deliver high-efficiency, low carbon heating faster to much-needed new
build properties. It’s worth noting that
modular methods of construction can also be applied highly effectively to the production of low carbon energy centres within communal heat networks, offering the means to centralise high and low-rise heating systems on larger-scale projects.
IMPACT THROUGH COLLABORATION It’s clear that there are a number of options available to social housing providers when retrofitting heating systems in existing homes or designing solutions for new properties. If the UK is to hit its decarbonisation targets, the
social housing industry has an important role to play. Providers must work together to leverage the solutions and expertise necessary to contribute meaningfully towards the nation’s net zero goals. As the policy landscape around decarbonisation
continues to evolve, forging partnerships with heat specialists like Baxi will be key to this, and we stand ready to support providers in choosing the right solution for their project, and for the needs of tenants.
Modular pods can be a smart option
Baxi
www.baxi.co.uk www.baxi.co.uk/professional/specifiers-and-social- housing
Rob Pearse
TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION - ADVERTORIAL
ACV UK delivers fully electric hot water and heating solution for landmark Canary Wharf building
As part of a major decarbonisation initiative in one of London’s most prestigious commercial districts, ACV UK, a leading specialist in hot water and heating solutions, has delivered a fully electric plant room solution for a high-rise building in Canary Wharf. Featuring E-Tech W electric boilers and Smart L 600 indirect cylinders, the new system replaces the site’s gas fired plant, supporting the client’s transition to a low carbon future.
To meet net zero legislation for commercial buildings by 2050, the project required a system that could eliminate fossil fuel use while maintaining high performance and reliability. The rooftop plant room’s 11th floor location also added logistical challenges, making equipment size, weight, and ease of installation essential considerations.
Working closely with the project’s specified contractor, EPPH Ltd, ACV UK provided a tailored solution comprising four
E-Tech W electric boilers and four Smart L 600 indirect cylinders, integrated with air source heat pumps to create a high-efficiency hybrid system.
“The Smart L 600 cylinders were the perfect fit,” explains Jamie Lewis of EPPH Ltd. “They offer excellent heat retention, fast recovery times, and first-class hot water generation as part of this hybrid system. Their tank-in-tank design also helps minimise energy waste and ensures hot water is always available when needed.”
The E-Tech W boilers also offered key advantages in this high-rise retrofit. Their compact, lightweight build and flue-free operation simplified transport and installation, eliminating the need for heavy lifting equipment and complex flue routing. This not only streamlined the installation
www.essmag.co.uk
process but also preserved the building’s architectural integrity.
In addition to supplying the new plant equipment, EPPH Ltd delivered a complete mechanical and electrical overhaul. This included the replacement of all LTHW, DHW, and MCW pipework, installation of thermal insulation and trace heating, comprehensive water treatment, and the integration of a modern Building Management System (BMS) for remote monitoring and control.
To complete the decarbonisation strategy, the building’s entire gas supply was purged and permanently capped, rendering the site completely gas free.
Despite the challenges of limited access and working at height, the full retrofit was delivered in just eight weeks, resulting in a modern, fully electric plant room. With over a decade of experience specifying ACV products, EPPH Ltd
credits the reliable performance, product availability, and technical support from ACV UK as key to the project’s success.
“We have a great, long-standing relationship with ACV, and this project was no exception,” adds Jamie Lewis. “Their products consistently deliver, and the support from the team is excellent throughout.”
The building now benefits from an energy-efficient, all-electric system that improves operational resilience, reduces emissions, and supports long-term net zero goals.
u
https://www.acv.com/gb ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Autumn 2025 35
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