Date published: 22 February 2022
Stonewater, in partnership with electricity network operator UK Power Networks, Social Energy, Passiv UK, and gas distribution network - SGN – will ensure nobody is left behind in the switch to low carbon technology – which plays a key role in tackling the climate crisis.
The project will see new hybrid boilers that use both gas and electricity, installed in the coming months alongside solar panels and batteries in up to 25 homes across the South East to create a template for green heating in social housing.
The compact hybrid heating systems work by using smart controls that can automatically switch between gas and electricity at certain times, depending on different factors including changing energy costs. By using electric heating at times, residents will use less natural gas overall.
With solar panels providing renewable energy and batteries storing the power for later, residents will also use less energy from the electricity network – helping to save money and reduce household emissions.
Paul Brennan, a Stonewater customer who had a heat pump installed last winter as part of an earlier trial, said: “Even though my heat pump has only been installed a short time, it was immediately noticeable how much I was saving. If you think about all the people in this area using less than the energy they would normally use, it’s not just the savings to the people that would matter, but the impact overall would be brilliant as well.”
Adam Masters, Environmental Sustainability Manager at Stonewater, said: “We understand the importance of everyone having a warm, comfortable and affordable place that they can call home. Our involvement with Right to Heat will enable more of our customers, but also residents of other housing providers, to reap the environmental and cost benefits of low-carbon heating - sooner rather than later.”
Ian Cameron, Head of Customer Services and Innovation at UK Power Networks, said: “Right to Heat is about creating a scalable template for social housing so no one is left behind in tackling the climate crisis. We’re determined to make the transition work for all of customers, no matter their circumstances.”
SGN’s regional development manager Dave Raymond added: “What makes this exciting project so unique is the exceptional collaboration from all the partners involved, as well as its focus on those in society who otherwise would have difficulty in keeping up with Net Zero.”
Right to Heat continues to March 2023, and follows UK Power Networks’ HyCompact project, which is testing hybrid heating systems in seven homes across Wales, London and the South East with gas network Wales & West Utilities.