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heating, ventilation & damp proofing
the future homes standard – what smart controls must deliver next
Neil Budd, Head of Residential Sales at IMI Heatmiser, discusses the role of intelligent controls within modern heating systems...
As the Future Homes Standard drives demand for more energy-efficient and lower-carbon homes, developers are facing new challenges in balancing compliance, comfort and long-term performance. Since its formal integration into the
UK’s Building Regulations, particularly through updates to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power), housebuilders and developers have been working to align specifications and delivery models with these requirements. However, the FHS must be approached holistically, recognising how these elements work in parallel. Crucially, the conversation also needs to focus on what sits at the centre of the modern heating system, which is, intelligent controls. Delivering comfort and efficiency As the industry moves towards low- temperature heating, the role of controls is becoming far more important than simply switching heating on and off. The challenge now is delivering comfort,
energy efficiency and system performance together, rather than sacrificing one for the other.
Heat pumps and underfloor heating (UFH) are naturally aligned because both operate efficiently at lower flow temperatures. However, achieving real-world performance across an entire home is more complex. Developers are increasingly specifying mixed systems, with wet UFH downstairs, radiators or skirting heating upstairs, electric UFH in bathrooms, and in some cases, heating and cooling integration too. This creates a clear need for a more rounded control strategy. Requirements of the Future Homes Standard Historically, heating systems were relatively simple, as homes were fitted with a boiler, radiators and a programmable thermostat. But under the FHS, the requirements are different. Heating generation, emitters, hot water and smart home integration are now interconnected parts of one
ecosystem. Controls must evolve to manage that complexity while remaining simple for homeowners to use. That means developers should be thinking beyond standalone thermostats, and considering integrated whole-home control platforms that are capable of managing multiple heating types from one app, creating one user experience. Open-loop and micro-zoning The industry must avoid becoming overly polarised between open-loop systems and aggressive micro-zoning. There is no single solution for every property type or homeowner, given the wide range of influencing factors such as location, construction materials and property size. Every home is different, as are the needs and expectations of the people living in them. Some homes may benefit from carefully
grouped zones, for example, rather than individual room-by-room control. Others may require more flexibility to compensate
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