PHAM NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2024 26 Renewable Energy


Measurement is the key to low carbon take up


It is widely acknowledged that the UK needs to move away from a reliance on fossil fuel heating, but the accurate measurement of heat loss is vital to enabling installers to provide the low carbon solutions that will meet their customers’ needs – says Luke Smith from Build Test Solutions.


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atest fi gures show 23 million homes in the UK have a gas boiler and two-thirds of UK residents


planned on using gas central heating to heat their homes in 2023, demonstrating the behemoth task ahead to switch to renewable energy heating sources. If the UK is to reach net zero


by 2050, it needs to shift from carbon-intensive fossil fuel- based heating to low-carbon heating solutions as a matter of urgency. There is never a one-size-


fi ts-all solution when it comes to low-carbon heating. Training, measurement and software innovations are needed to help identify the most suitable heating technology for a given situation. This shift presents manufacturers, installers and the wider industry with many business opportunities and the potential to unlock signifi cant growth. But this will of course only be realised if householders and landlords are fully bought in and are on the receiving end of eff ective heat system solutions. With legislation and


standards, such as PAS 2035, BS 40101, BS 40104 and the Future Homes Standard, placing ever-greater emphasis on the value of measurement in understanding building energy


performance, getting a handle on what testing solutions are available is critical. Measuring heat loss can help


installers to more accurately size the low-carbon heating solution before it is installed, helping to optimise the system design and ensure it performs effi ciently and customers get the expected comfort and running costs.


Luke Smith MD at Build Test Solutions


Measuring heat loss can help installers to more accurately size the low-carbon heating solution before it is installed, helping to optimise the system design and ensure it performs efficiently


 Smart HTC off ers a non-invasive method to accurately measure thermal performance


Field trial My company, Build Test Solutions (BTS), and Elmhurst Energy wanted to determine how accurate home heat loss measurement could be a signifi cant tool in understanding peak heat demand, while also supporting heat pump specifi cation, sizing and system design. We collaborated and


performed a fi eld trial of 56 UK homes with heat pumps installed, in line with BS EN12831 – the method for determining design heat load for heating systems in buildings. The heat load highlights the amount of cooling or heating needed in a building to keep a consistent temperature. By determining the measured


heat load, installers can provide better quality service and insights. Carrying out measurements early in the installation process means they can provide better advice about changes that are needed to the home and help customers save money in the longer term by ensuring the heating solution is as effi cient and cost-eff ective to run as possible.


The measured process All BS EN12831 calculations in the measured study were carried out using the Heat Loss Calculator, a new calculator platform from Elmhurst Energy, to create predicted heat load results. BTS then measured the heat transfer coeffi cient of the homes, which is also directly compatible with BS EN12831. We carried out the testing


over a three-week period while the home was occupied, which is a simple, low cost and non- invasive process for residents. The testing found that


traditional BS EN12831 calculations only delivered an accurate assessment of heat loss 30% of the time. In fact, the majority of assessments (59%) created an overestimation. Moreover, a fi fth of the measurements were incorrect by more than 50% against the presumed fi gures. This has huge implications


for future adoption of heat pumps and consumer confi dence in these solutions. Incorrect heat loss calculations can signifi cantly impact the size or type of low-carbon heating solution residents are recommended, the eventual effi ciency of the system, and the future carbon impact these properties could have. In a post-testing survey,


residents also reported that the heat loss measurements didn’t cause signifi cant disruption, which shows the limited impact these tests had on their daily lives.


Meeting demand Before replacing a conventional gas boiler system with a low-carbon alternative it is important to fi rst consider the required heat load or changes to the pipework, electrics, emitters, hot water storage or where to site new equipment. As a result, the main key


consideration is peak heat demand and how this can be most effi ciently met. While a heat pump system can be designed to meet any peak load, there can be benefi ts to improving the thermal effi ciency of the building with basic insulation and draught stripping measures. This not only reduces the size of the heat pump required but also additional work that might need to be done to rework pipework and radiators. Undertaking a heat


loss measurement before installation, using technology like Build Test Solutions’


SmartHTC, allows heating installers to make informed decisions based on measured data, rather than assumptions derived from visual inspections or estimates. This measuring process is


typically less onerous than conducting a full room-by- room heat loss calculation. This can make it a useful tool to engage householders and educate them about the merits of insulation versus heating system size and cost.


Step by step Heating installers can blend heat loss measurement with their existing customer journey: Step 1: Measure heat loss for


three weeks during normal occupancy using SmartHTC sensors. Step 2: Use the data to


educate the householder and to inform the design and size of a heating solution. Step 3: Provide a quotation


and agree on a way forward. Step 4: Use the same


measurement data to help heating engineers make more detailed and accurate designs. Step 5: Finalise the


specifi cation, purchase and installation. Step 6: Complete system


commissioning, customer care and support. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/924/34


CUT TO THE CHASE


 The heating industry is about to transition toward various low- carbon heating solutions


 Capacity needs to be increased and measured heat loss is key to the process


 Technology such as SmartHTC enables installers to make informed decisions based on measured data


 Installers can use measurement to optimise the customer journey and improve conversion rates


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