Maximising control of heating systems in the home

Sean Collins-Powell, heating segment director at Drayton Controls looks at the home of today and how maximising control of heating systems can pay dividends for homeowners.

2008 has bought around a fresh urgency on the part of the Government for the UK to become more energy efficient in order to meet its stringent energy efficiency targets.

However, whilst 2007 saw some stability within energy prices, if current predictions are correct they are expected to rise considerably over the next three years.

This increases the importance for homeowners to invest in control systems and improve efficiency measures within the home in advance of the expected price rises.

Following the budget announcement in March, the term 'energy efficiency' has certainly become the buzz word of the 21st century.

With Government targets now set for the zero carbon home by 2016, together with efficiency requirements under the Code for Sustainable Homes, as well as the introduction of energy performance certificates, it is clear the housing sector is awash, once again with regulation.

But how can heating controls help installers, and homeowners, save energy and potentially money in the long run?.

Looking at the profile of an average UK home, there is real potential for the introduction of a number of energy saving measures, providing much greater control and efficiencies.

The role therefore for the installer moving into the future is one of education, promoting the benefits of a controlled home environment from both an energy efficiency and environmental perspective, as well as addressing the issue of cost.

In fact, under the new Code for Sustainable Homes, in order for a new build property to meet even a level 2 on the code, a home must be fully zone controlled.

Whilst the issue of the code is only relevant for new homes at this moment in time, the energy criteria will also form part of the Energy Performance Certificate, which will become a requirement within the home information packs.

Within these packs there will be a requirement for all details of the home's structure and workings including the heating system, in which homeowners will need to provide the bulk of the information.

The house will then be rated on a scale from A-G, with A being the most efficient and therefore having the lowest fuel bills and G being the least.

The certificate will also detail the potential impact of a property on carbon emissions with the better rated homes with much less impact.

The report, however, will not only detail the rating but also highlight potential improvements that the homeowner can make to improve it.

This could include anything from new loft insulation, double glazing to the introduction of heating controls.

Improving a property's energy performance is therefore a crucial element, resulting in lower energy bills for current occupiers and potentially making the property more attractive to prospective buyers.

Comparatively minor changes in the energy performance of a property can have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption.

Moving forward it is imperative for installers to promote the very real benefits of heating controls within the home.

If we take the concept of the Drayton Home of Today, it is possible to see the potential of heating control technology within real life circumstances.

In 2002, Part L of the Building Regulations specified how a home over 150m2 should be divided into at least two heating zones, generally separating the sleeping areas from the living areas in addition to a fully controlled hot water zone.

If we use this model within the Drayton Home of Today, homeowners would require two independent time and temperature controls within their property, as part of an interlock arrangement to prevent the boiler from firing when there is no demand for heat.

In an existing property, a wireless control would be ideally suited to the zoning arrangement, enabling the homeowner to position the control where they desire within the home without damaging the existing decor.

A simple system would consist, of the wireless receiver, usually positioned beneath the boiler and secondly a room thermostat on the wall within the chosen room.

For the installer specifying a system, there are a number of potential solutions within the market from the simple tactile dial control and digital display featured within the Drayton Digistat +RF, to the programmable room thermostats, ranging from 2, 4 or 6 time temperature events as well as automatic summer, winter time change and both a holiday and manual operating mode, within the Drayton Digistat +2 and +3 RF.

In addition to zoning, installers should also recommend the installation of Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) throughout the property, ensuring greater independent control of room temperatures and greater energy efficiencies in the long run.

Product developments such as the Drayton chrome TRV4 are particularly popular with homeowners as they complement designer radiators and are a stylish addition to any room, whilst also maintaining efficiency.

Additional features within the Drayton Home of Today include underfloor heating, a popular addition to the modern home.

Offering a 5% increase in operating efficiency when set against a comparable radiator system, as well as the additional aesthetic benefits, UFH has become a popular choice for renovations, refurbishments and new builds, yet control of these systems remains of the utmost importance, in order to reap the greatest benefit.

One of the latest control offerings from Drayton Controls is its UFH range which includes hydronic controls; MSV manifold and pump and Flow Packs as well as the control solution, specifically designed for use with UFH technology, enabling homeowners to realise the true value of their UFH investment.

The final aspect of the home of today concept house is solar panels, a feature of increasing relevance for the UK housing market.

Here, like all aspects of the property, efficiency is reliant upon the control solutions available for it.

For a homeowner looking for a control solution for their solar heating system, a control designed specifically for the technology would certainly be the best possible option in order to maximise on the potential savings.

Whilst the issue of energy efficiency remains a top priority for both Government and homeowners, it is important that installers remain one step ahead of the game and commit to promoting the very real benefits of energy efficient control solutions.

Offering homeowners cost and energy efficiencies through their heating control system will lead to a continuing profitable market opportunity for the installer and a high quality offering for the end user.

Back to top