Heating and Ventilation

Paul Taylor, Head of Renewables for Panasonic UK discusses how social housing providers can help tackle fuel poverty at the root, using heat pumps to provide more energy efficient homes.

The government’s recent release of new research exploring the challenges faced by fuel-poor households in winter 2022/23, has brought renewed focus to the conversation on tackling fuel poverty. It is in no doubt that Housing Associations want to do all they can to help mitigate the impact of rising energy prices on tenants and leaseholders. However, with gas supplies continuing to be disrupted by the impact of the war in Ukraine, there is a need to seriously invest in energy efficient alternative technologies to the gas boiler, to support those who cannot afford the rise in energy bills.

Leading British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia is supporting Clean Air Day on Thursday 15 June 2023 and welcomes the theme “Clean up our air to look after your mind this #CleanAirDay”. Clean Air Day is led by environmental charity Global Action Plan and is the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution. It aims to improve public understanding of air pollution, build awareness of how air pollution affects our health, and explain the easy actions we can all take to tackle air pollution, helping protect the environment and our health.

With Monday 5th June being World Environment Day, the focus will rightly be on how we preserve our planet’s fragile environment.

But never forget that other special mini-environment - the one within our homes.

Improving and managing air quality, both for new-builds and existing dwellings, will be a major priority as the EPC regulations change up to 2030.
 
Advice published by NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, urges authorities to ‘embed a plan for improving indoor air quality in an existing strategy or plan to improve people’s health.’ It adds that ‘the emphasis should be a balanced approach to ventilation, insulation and heating to achieve it.’
 
The BRE Trust, an independent charity dedicated to improving the built environment, goes further. It estimates that poor housing is costing the NHS £1.4billion a year to treat those affected.

So what are the main problems that need to be overcome and the latest high-tech solutions that could help?

Whilst we move into the summer months, now is an ideal time to consider retrofitting your housing stock and to take the opportunity to switch from traditional boilers and move towards more renewable technologies such as air source heat pumps. Paul Taylor, Head of Renewables for Panasonic UK, takes a closer look at the latest developments in heat pump technology for a more energy efficient heating and sustainable future.

A new wave of government funding is driving fresh opportunities for social housing providers and developers to decarbonise their UK housing stock. Adam Greaves, Panasonic Key Account Manager – Heating Solutions, puts forward the case that embracing renewable technologies such as installing heat pumps can have a significant effect in meeting net-zero goals.

Leading ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia is delighted to announce it has been shortlisted in the Unlock Net Zero Live Awards. The Sussex-based company has reached the final line up in the Innovation of the Year - Product or Service category for its Heat Recovery Retrofit Solution. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony, taking place alongside Housing 2023, on Tuesday 27 June at Manchester Central.

The inaugural Unlock Net Zero Live Awards seek to recognise and champion progress on the journey to decarbonisation for the UK housing sector and the supply chain that supports it. Vent-Axia's Heat Recovery Retrofit Solution aims to help deliver decarbonisation in social housing by providing the right ventilation support on the journey to Net Zero Homes by 2050 and healthier homes.  

Leading trade retailer ElectricalDirect has added the innovative Radbot 1 Intelligent Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) from Secure to its expanding range of heating solutions. This new type of heating control has been designed to optimise energy usage which is an ideal solution for those looking to reduce their energy bills in the cost of living crisis.

The easy-to-fit device, now available at ElectricalDirect, can be installed within minutes on any radiator that has an existing thermostatic radiator valve. It is compatible with wet central heating systems, including gas, oil boilers and heat pumps, and works with all standard heating controls and smart thermostats.