PHAM NEWS | FEBRUARY 2024 30 Domestic Boilers


‘Plug and play’ boiler offers an alternative to heat pumps


PHAM News takes a closer look at the Zero Emissions Boiler (ZEB) from UK manufacturer Tepeo, a direct replacement for gas boilers which is powered by off-peak electricity and is claimed to offer consumers a less disruptive way to decarbonise their heating system.


N


umerous reports have suggested that there is no reason why heat pumps shouldn’t


operate effectively in the vast majority of UK homes, but the likely upheaval and cost of installation still represents an almost insurmountable obstacle for millions of consumers who are reluctant to move away from their familiar gas boiler system. That’s why some have argued that we need to look at other, less costly and more viable ways to decarbonise domestic heating. Johan du Plessis, CEO of UK start-up company Tepeo, believes he has one such solution. Founded in 2018, Tepeo has


developed the Zero Emissions Boiler (ZEB) which is described as a direct ‘plug-in’ replacement for a gas or oil boiler. Unlike heat pumps, it will work with a property’s existing pipework and radiators, so there is less disturbance for the end-user and it will deliver the high flow temperatures that they are used to.


A further big benefit of


the ZEB is that it can be programmed to take advantage of the electricity supply when it is at its cheapest and greenest, storing energy and then distributing heating and hot water around the home when needed. “This is one of the key ways


in which the ZEB can reduce the carbon intensity of heating homes,” explains Johan du Plessis. “It automatically optimises the purchase of electricity based on a household’s tariff and the carbon intensity of their local grid. The boiler is able to charge overnight, but also top-up during the afternoon in


need for planning permission for an outside space. Tepeo says that installation can usually be completed over one or two days. Once installed, the ZEB


takes electricity from the grid or from solar PV panels and works like a high density thermal energy store, storing up to 40kWh of energy. Pipes contained within the core distribute the energy when it is needed to be released to radiators, underfloor heating or a hot water cylinder. All ZEB boilers are internet


connected, so users can access an app which provides information as to how the boiler is performing. The Internet of Things (IoT) platform also enables the technology to respond to outdoor temperatures and forecast exactly how much heating each individual home is likely to need over the next day.


Johan du Plessis, CEO of Tepeo, with the ZEB unit


advance of peak demand in the evening.”


Probably the strongest case for ZEBs is in places where there isn’t the outdoor space to install an air or ground source heat pump


How they work About the size of a washing machine, the ZEB units contain a high density concrete, similar to that found in a storage heater, with insulation surrounding it. With a hefty weight of 375kg, a wall hung unit is currently out of the question, but once delivered installation should hold no difficulties for qualified heating engineers and professional electricians. And, unlike heat pumps, there is no


Growth targets Tepeo, which so far has received most of its funding from venture capitalists, is based in Berkshire and has grown staff levels to 60 at the turn of the year. Although only a few hundred units have so far been installed, recent investment in another manufacturing facility that will quadruple production capacity provides good evidence of the company’s ambitions.


The company is aiming to produce around 1500 to 2000 units a year and has set a target of 1200 installations this year. The main focus is on smaller, 2/3 bedroom households, flats, terraced houses and semi-detached properties, which are said to represent 40% of UK homes. With no subsidies currently available, cost is one of the


biggest stumbling blocks to growth, with the ZEBs typically coming in with an installed price of about £8000 (£6000 for the unit and £2000 for installation). However, Tepeo claims that they will last longer than a gas boiler. Although the unit has a 10- year warranty, its life-span has been estimated at more than 20 years. “Heat pumps aren’t the right solution for millions of homes,” argues Johan du Plessis. “I think we need a pragmatic approach if we’re going to decarbonise heating. We think having a technology agnostic approach to the whole issue is an essential part of decarbonisation. “Probably the strongest case for ZEBs is in places where there isn’t the outdoor space to install an air or ground source heat pump, such as flats and mid-terrace houses. Without a solution like the Zero Emission Boiler, there really isn’t another option for those people to decarbonise their heating.”


Flexible response The company also points out that the more electricity is derived from renewable technologies, the more that systems will need to be in place to help flatten peak demand and shift to low cost times of day. “We clearly need to electrify


heating, but the bigger problem is that we need to move to a system where we use electricity when renewables are available and this means making the demand side much more flexible,” says du Plessis. “We need to move from


our centralised system, which is tailored to big coal or gas power plants, to a decentralised system that supports renewables.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/224/48


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44