Dimplex electric heating has been specified in an important trial which is part of the Retrofit for the Future programme for social housing. Two Monterey panel heaters and two TDTR towel rails now meet the entire heating requirement for a pair of 1950s concrete build semi-detached homes, with initial figures suggesting CO2 emissions reductions of an amazing 94 percent, and residents’ fuel bills slashed.
The Dimplex electric heating has replaced gas central heating in a pair of 60 year old semi detached homes at Newark, Nottinghamshire, in a project by Newark and Sherwood Homes. The ALMO is responsible for housing for Newark and Sherwood District Council and worked with Hockerton Housing Project, a locally-based not-for-profit co-operative with the aim of sustainable change, to deliver the homes,
The houses are of Wimpey ‘no-fines’ concrete construction, a design challenged by high heat loss. Although the homes had been fitted with standard energy efficiency measures including double glazing, energy efficient boilers and loft insulation, the two properties’ energy use was still relatively high, with a total annual energy use of 44,000 kWh, costing around £2,000. As one property is occupied by a retired couple who have lived there for 40 years, and the other is home to a family of six, reducing residents’ fuel bills was a priority for the ALMO.
Another key target was to cut carbon emissions by 80 percent using ‘low tech’ durable solutions such as passive solar heating and superinsulation. An outer brick skin was built around the existing external walls and the resulting 300mm cavity fully insulated, underfloor insulation was installed, and a 1.5 storey sunspace added to the rear of the homes. Although due to the orientation of the homes, the sunspace is east- rather than south-facing, solar gain is still considerable.
These measures mean that the total heating requirement for each home can now be met by two Dimplex Monterey panel heaters and two Dimplex towel rails. MVHR ensures that as much of the heat as possible is retained within the homes, while a central programmer means that the heaters’ operation can be tailored closely to the residents’ daily routines, to minimise energy waste.
Mick Carman, contracts manager at Newark and Sherwood Homes, explains: “We didn’t want a whole raft of complex equipment to maintain. Although used to using gas central heating, the residents are familiar with electric heaters. We actually took out the mains gas supply, since our calculations showed that the Dimplex heaters in each house would provide enough warmth to heat the whole property. The system works perfectly, with average temperatures inside the houses stable at 18°C. Even during the extreme weather conditions of late 2010, when daytime outdoor temperatures were around -5°C, the residents only had to increase the timed period of heating by an hour a day.
He continues: “The Dimplex heaters were easy for a qualified electrician to fit, and will require no specialist maintenance skills. Plus, unlike the gas system we took out, there’s no annual safety inspection needed, further reducing our ongoing costs.”
With estimated annual energy use costs down to £500 and initial figures suggesting a 94 percent CO2 reduction, the project’s goals have been far exceeded.
“Our trial has proved that these efficiencies can be achieved using simple measures and minimal standard electric heating, and our residents are absolutely thrilled with their new homes,” says Mick Carman.
Simon Tilley, director of the Hockerton Housing Project, comments: “There is a risk when organisations consider committing to alternative technologies, but we hope projects like this will help to demonstrate best practice and encourage other organisations to consider a wide range of options when it comes to reducing their carbon footprint. With over 300,000 homes in the UK of a similar construction to the project, there are certainly opportunities for considerable CO2 savings.”
The project is part of the nationwide Retrofit for the Future programme for social housing, which aims to address the challenge of making existing homes more energy efficient. Results will be monitored by Loughborough University for a year, and this is likely to be extended to a three-year study. Assistance was received through a grant from the Technology Strategy Board, a body which runs investigative pilot schemes to help inform government policy.
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