Gareth Ash, Marketing Communications Manager at Danfoss, looks at retrofitting solutions for apartment buildings in the social housing sector, where ageing infrastructure and limited budgets can present unique challenges.
With the drive to reduce C02 emissions, legionella issues and potential gas exits to contend with, renovations and smart solutions are the key to meeting regulations, reducing carbon footprint, and ensuring a high level of safety and comfort for occupants. The path to enhancing energy efficiency, particularly in apartments, can be hard to find. However, by implementing the right solutions and strategies, it is possible to achieve net-zero targets through strategic retrofitting.
As awareness of the issues increases and regulatory change is introduced, like the Future Homes standard in 2025, social housing landlords need to take control and ensure that not only new builds, but also existing project retrofits reduce fossil fuel use and make a step change towards sustainability. Fusion21’s recent Social Housing Retrofitting Framework is a great starting point for building owners and specifiers looking to implement cost-effective and compliant solutions that enhance energy efficiency.
The good news is that retrofitting social housing properties, whether they are houses or apartments, doesn’t always have to be costly or require extensive, disruptive work for residents. Many effective energy efficiency solutions, like smart controls, have been designed to be low-hassle fixes that can make a big difference for a relatively small cost. Forward thinking manufacturers like Danfoss have even taken the industry’s skills shortage into account, creating easy-to-install solutions that streamline the process for installer and residents alike.
Hydronic balancing: the foundation for efficiency
One of the foundational elements for achieving net-zero targets is the optimisation of HVAC systems through hydronic balancing. This process ensures that heating and cooling are distributed evenly throughout the building, preventing over-heating, reducing energy consumption, and improving indoor comfort. By upgrading radiator valves and thermostats, building owners can unlock energy savings ranging from 8% to a massive 46%, depending on the specific solutions implemented. Danfoss ASV automatic balancing valves provide a simple, reliable and cost-effective way to create hydronic balance in two-pipe heating or cooling systems.
The Danfoss RAS-B2 Dynamic Valve is a 2-in-1 temperature control and automatic balancing valve that makes it quick and easy to ensure that the heating system is always perfectly balanced. Thanks to a pressure-independent regulator inside the RAS-B2 the valves will automatically perform the balancing of the entire system, ensuring the distribution of heat is even and to the pre-set levels, regardless of partial loads and weather conditions. For hydronic floor heating systems, the inclusion of dynamic hydronic balancing, either at the manifold or on the risers, can significantly enhance system performance and efficiency. Solutions like the Danfoss Icon2™ hydronic underfloor heating system offer the advantages of auto-balancing, smart home compatibility, and adaptability to a wide range of applications.
Transitioning to low-carbon heating
As building owners and specifiers work towards net-zero targets, the transition away from fossil fuel-based heating systems is a critical step. Replacing centralised heating systems powered by gas or oil with alternatives such as heat pumps or district energy networks can lead to substantial energy and cost savings, while also reducing a building’s carbon footprint.
When converting to a heat pump system, it is essential to recalculate and recommission the hydronic distribution system to accommodate the changes in flow and temperature requirements, ensuring each apartment receives sufficient heating for occupant comfort. As a rule of thumb, a 2% reduction in energy use is created for each degree less in supply temperature.
At Danfoss, we believe each apartment – with options for both district energy networks and heat pumps – can further enhance efficiency and comfort by delivering on-demand hot water and controlled heating in each apartment. Thanks to its broad substation product range, Danfoss has extensive experience providing district energy solutions to a number of high profile projects across Europe.
Balancing domestic hot water systems
Alongside the optimisation of heating systems, the balancing of domestic hot water (DHW) systems plays a vital role in achieving net-zero targets. Decentralised DHW systems not only reduce the risk of legionella but also offer significant energy savings by minimising heat loss and waste.
Performing thermal balancing of DHW circulation, combined with the replacement of old water tanks with legionella-protected models, can lead to substantial energy savings. Additionally, the integration of automatic disinfection and logging controllers can further enhance the safety and efficiency of the DHW system.
Harnessing the power of smart building controls
Underpinning the success of these retrofitting efforts is the implementation of smart building controls. Solutions like Danfoss Leanheat provide an innovative suite of software tools that optimise operational efficiency, enhance occupant comfort, and enable the tracking of energy consumption and maintenance needs throughout a building.
By leveraging AI-based IoT technology, Leanheat Building can deliver up to 10-20% savings on building energy costs while maintaining stable indoor conditions. Furthermore, the scalable and hardware-independent nature of the solution ensures adaptability to the unique requirements of each social housing project.
Building blocks to Net Zero
Achieving net-zero targets in social housing retrofits requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the building’s energy systems holistically. By prioritising hydronic balancing, transitioning to low-carbon heating, optimising domestic hot water systems, and incorporating smart building controls, building specifiers and owners can unlock significant energy savings, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance occupant comfort and well-being.
Through the strategic implementation of these building blocks, the social housing sector can lead the way in the transition towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future, setting an example for other sectors to follow.
For further information click visit: danfoss.com/en-gb/markets/buildings-residential/dhs/multi-family-buildings/energy-optimization-of-multi-family-buildings
