3 minute read
HVAC
With fuel prices continuing to rise, so too is the issue of fuel poverty in the social housing sector. Anthony Watton, Head of Residential Specification at Baxi Assure, explores the cost-efficient heating and hot water options available for public sector new-build and RMI projects.
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Social housing development continues to be expedited through increased and accelerated funding, as the UK Government endeavours to meet rising demand for affordable homes. Yet, sustained growth of the social housing sector is resulting in a heightened problem of fuel poverty for households across the country.
Rising fuel costs, hard-totreat homes, lack of energyefficiency measures in homes and economic vulnerability are the main contributing factors to fuel poverty status, as more and more householders spend a high proportion of their income keeping their property at a reasonable temperature. An estimated 3.18 million were living in fuel poverty in 2019, which has led to the Government setting out targets to reduce this number.
With figures showing that the majority of fuel-poor occupants live in Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band D or E properties, outlined fuel poverty targets include aims to improve energy-efficiency measures and move as many homes as possible to a minimum of band D by 2025, and a minimum of band C by 2030. Better EPC ratings will mean residents can benefit from lower energy bills and, ultimately, avoid fuel poverty status.
The social housing sector is already under pressure to decarbonise homes as part of the Government’s wider target to achieve net zero by 2050. More immediate fuel poverty targets intensify the obligation for social housing providers to install more energy-efficient heating and hot water solutions, that will sufficiently increase both EPC ratings in RMI projects and SAP ratings in new-build developments.
Air source heat pumps
a gas boiler to provide lowcarbon heating and hot water. An ASHP runs at a consistent, low temperature and uses less electrical energy than the heat it produces, making it very energy efficient. Baxi Assure provides a tailored design service to ensure the best SAP ratings for new-build homes and reduced energy costs for householders.
For RMI projects, ASHPs can also be retrofitted with boilers to form a hybrid solution that maximises heat performance and reduces running costs. EPC ratings can be moved from band E to B and C and beyond for hard-to-heat properties, as well as those that have limited capabilities to upgrade the fabric of the building or other energy-saving features.
Flue gas heat recovery (FGHR)
Also compatible with current heating technologies, FGHR is a low-carbon solution that improves the efficiency of domestic boilers. The Baxi Assure FGHR is suitable for new-build properties and can be retrofitted to existing Baxi Assure boiler systems.
As waste flue gases pass through the FGHR, any heat that remains is extracted, meaning heat from the flue gases that would normally be expelled into the atmosphere is recycled and used to pre-heat water coming into the boiler from the cold mains supply. This significantly reduces the amount of gas required to heat the water. Research testing shows that FGHR saves between 37 and 50% of the gas used to heat hot water annually, which means lower energy bills and greater carbon savings.
Heat networks
Heat networks serve as heat distribution systems for multidwelling buildings. Made up of insulated pipes, a heat network takes the heat from a centralised energy source and circulates it to a number of homes.
The centralised energy source can range from an individual plant room to largescale district heating plants. These can be for various multi-unit dwellings, including apartment buildings, multiple block districts and housing developments. Each dwelling has its own heat interface unit to control comfort settings and the amount of heat used, allowing end-users to regulate their energy usage.
Heat networks are more efficient than installing individual boilers as they reduce heat waste across multiple properties, affording a better balance of supply and lower costs of heating for households.
Sustainable development
As the pressure mounts to meet looming Government targets, social housing providers can take solace in the fact that there are plenty of options to provide cost-efficient heating efficiency for future homes and fuel-poor households. Baxi Assure offers a full suite of products to provide the best solution for each application, along with expert support and advice. To this end, the social housing sector can help to reduce fuel poverty and forge a path to sustainable development. www.baxi.co.uk/assure
