The Living with Heat Pumps project aims to investigate the advantages of using an air source heat pump over a traditional gas boiler in homes. Ideal Heating has collaborated with Hull City Council and the regional initiative, Oh Yes! Net Zero, to fit four of its premier Logic Air heat pumps in council properties in Hull, alongside four new gas-powered combi boilers in adjacent homes.
This initiative will monitor the thermal comfort of residents, as well as the cost, energy performance, and efficiency of both the heat pumps and boilers.
The findings are expected to provide valuable insights and experiences regarding the adoption of heat pumps in social housing.
Originally established as Ideal Boilers, Ideal Heating was set up in Hull in 1906, where it still operates its manufacturing base and UK headquarters.
£60m overhaul
The firm is currently implementing a £60m overhaul at its Hull location, enhancing manufacturing, distribution, and research and development capacities, with a strong emphasis on transitioning to heat pump technology.
John Jackson, heat pump technical sales manager at Ideal Heating, oversaw the installation and commissioning element of the heat pumps project.
He said: “We’re delighted to be working with Hull City Council on a project which could have a real impact on the way homes in the city are heated in the future.
“Ideal Heating has a strong relationship with Hull City Council and shares its commitment to creating a sustainable future for all.
“It’s so important that residents living with heat pumps enjoy the same level of comfort and convenience. In addition, they will benefit from reduced energy bills.
“This project aims to demonstrate that the transition from boilers to heat pumps is a simple one and one which shouldn’t impact on the way we live and use our homes.”
Day to day impact of transitioning to low carbon heating tech
The trial is taking place at eight flats in Nornabell Street, east Hull. All of the properties are similar-sized flats which have the same level of energy efficiency and performance.
Over the coming months, data will be collected from the homes’ air source heat pumps to measure their energy efficiency and compare this to the efficiency of combination gas boilers.
Residents will be directly involved in the project, sharing their experiences to better understand the day-to-day impact of transitioning to low carbon heating technologies.
Hull City Council’s 2030 carbon-neutral strategy sets out eight key themes which require focused action. One of these key themes is heat, an area which will be explored through the new project with Ideal Heating.
Tackling fuel poverty
The Government’s Future Homes Standard will mean no new build homes in the UK can be heated by fossil fuels from 2025, reducing carbon emissions of each property by as much as 80 per cent.
Social housing does not form part of that legislation, but with the UK’s net zero target of 2050 driving the low carbon transition, it is widely expected that similar legislation will in future dictate the way all homes are heated.
The project builds on an existing strong relationship between Ideal Heating and Hull City Council.
The organisations have previously worked together to tackle fuel poverty in Hull, providing energy efficiency courses to residents and donating cold weather hampers to those most in need across the city.