heating

For housing associations, maintaining efficient and reliable heating systems across large and diverse property portfolios remains a significant challenge. Ensuring tenant comfort, meeting sustainability goals, and keeping maintenance costs under control all depend on one critical factor — system protection.

Across thousands of homes, even minor inefficiencies can lead to increased energy consumption, higher maintenance workloads, and dissatisfied residents. In almost every heating system, contamination occurs over time, such as rust, dirt and magnetite particles caused by corrosion and if left untreated, these particles circulate through pipework and components, reducing efficiency, increasing wear, and potentially causing costly breakdowns.

Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions has been helping with a study at the University of Salford and the Energy House 2.0 research project in conjunction with Bellway Homes. The research looks at the effects of the planned Future Homes Building Standard (FHS) and how this will impact on new build properties. This experimental eco home is a ground-breaking research study by the University, combining eco efficient processes to meet the impending Future Homes Standard (FHS) for new build houses. The research also tests how low-carbon technologies impact the cost of living. The Future Home at Energy House 2.0 is built by Bellway inside a climate-controlled chamber at the university. Panasonic is one of the manufacturers selected to power the heating with its Aquarea J Series air-to-water heat pump. 
 

Panasonic heat pumps have been installed into 33, two, three and four-bedroom new build homes as part of a “Homes England” research project to provide innovative zero carbon ready homes. Gedling Green, a regenerative housing project in Nottinghamshire has been developed on an old coal mining colliery site by open-market affordable housing developers, Keepmoat Homes. Panasonic’s Aquarea J Series units with smart controls were selected for the research project by Keepmoat, due to their high energy efficiency and low noise characteristics. The installations were completed by electrical contractors M. A. Broughton and plumbing company, Nigel Smith.
 

Mitsubishi Electric is proud to announce the expansion of its highly efficient and environmentally friendly Ecodan R290 heat pump range. Following the successful launch of the 5kW and 6kW models in October 2023, the range now extends to include 8.5kW, 10kW, and 12kW models—offering a powerful, low-carbon heating solution for larger homes and properties with higher heat loss.

It is essential to ensure that heat pumps installations in social housing performs as designed and with minimal issues for residents. Here James Griffiths Projects Manager at GF Building Flow Solutions (formerly Uponor) outlines how the correct pipework specification can help ensure optimal system performance, simplify installation and prevent future issues.

The UK has set a target to reach net zero by 2050 and with around 40% of the UK’s total carbon emissions coming from residential properties, a shift to low carbon heating is required if we are to meet this objective.

This solution combines the efficiency of a heat pump with the reliability of a traditional boiler, offering homeowners a sustainable and efficient way to heat their homes and water.

The Xtend Hybrid is designed to address the unique challenges presented by the UK’s diverse range of home insulations. While heat pumps offer an eco-friendly heating solution, they often struggle to meet the demands of less insulated properties, particularly during the colder months. The Xtend Hybrid bridges this gap by utilising a high-efficiency boiler to support the heat pump, ensuring homeowners enjoy uninterrupted comfort and hot water supply throughout the year.

Award-winning principal contractor, the Procast Group, has successfully partnered with Trianco to install their Activair indoor air source heat pumps in a £100,000 development programme.

The Scotland-based firm have completed an indoor air source heat pump trial on six flats in Argyll, in conjunction with Trianco, showcasing some of the newest technology of its kind to be introduced into the UK as they seek an alternative to communal heating and district heat networks.

Working with Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA), Procast have fitted Trianco’s innovative technology to houses on Glebe Street, Rothesay, and will monitor the effectiveness of the new installations.