The power at our fingertips – how Wiser is ready for the UK’s transition to low carbon heating
How important are heating controls in the UK’s net zero goals?
Domestic heating is a crucial part of the UK’s journey to net zero and many challenges will need to be overcome, so research and communication with the Government are vital steps in driving uptake of low carbon heating solutions.
But it’s not just the fuel type that matters; heating controls govern the energy outputs of heating systems and puts the control in the hands of the householder, with modern controls, like Wiser, offering superior control in or out of the home, with boiler modulation support to increase energy efficiency at every stage.
What is Wiser?
Wiser is the smart home system that makes it simple to manage your energy use, lower bills, and prepare your home for a more sustainable future. By combining multi-room control for standard or mixed central heating systems, app control at home or away, energy use feedback and smart energy-saving modes, Wiser takes care of your home and the planet.
Find out more about Wiser on the website
As a key player in the heating controls industry for more than 70 years, Drayton – the brand behind Wiser – sponsored the BEAMA Net Zero Homes webinar series and has signed the latest BEAMA Climate Commitment, along with 36 other organisations. We’re delighted that Remi Volpe, Managing Director at Drayton was invited to speak at one of the webinars, ‘The Power at our Fingertips – Heating Controls for Net Zero Homes’, which aired on Tuesday 19th September 1-2pm, powered by elemental.
Watch the webinar on demand now.
Summary of the BEAMA Whitepaper into THE POWER AT YOUR FINGERTIPS – Heating Controls for Net Zero Homes
Key findings from the BEAMA whitepaper on Heating Controls for Net Zero Homes include the following:
1. With a wide array of ageing technology still in UK homes, the Government must take more steps to help homeowners upgrade outdated heating controls to increase heating efficiency
2. Thermostats simply being connected, or ‘smart’, is not enough – modern thermostat technology must include boiler modulation to increase boiler efficiency and reduce energy usage
3. There are three key components of heating controls that should be a part of all central heating systems: the room thermostat, programmer and individual room controls
4. There are proven, significant energy savings that can be achieved by upgrading to best practice heating controls, which could exceed 30%
5. The emissions that could be saved by upgrading the UK to best practice heating controls could total 11 million tonnes, which would be a vital step forward to achieving UK net zero goals, as well as saving householders over £2billion in energy bills
BEAMA has issued the following six recommendations to increase the uptake of low carbon heating technology to the level required for the UK to achieve its net zero goals by 2050:
1. Fully implement and enforce the new requirement for self-regulating devices to be installed when a boiler is replaced
2. Introduce by 2022 minimum standards so that all room thermostats installed are a minimum of Class IV
3. Implement by 2025 a strategy to transition to Directly Modulating Room Thermostats
4. Financial incentives for good practice and best practice controls should be available
5. Improve Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to better drive the uptake of controls
6. A target for all existing homes to have a minimum of good practice controls by 2030
Download BEAMA’s full report here
What is OpenTherm Boiler Modulation?
Essentially, boiler modulation is the set of rules used to communicate information between smart heating controls and your combi boiler, modulating the temperature flow through the system. This increases energy efficiency in a heating system whilst maintaining the desired setpoint temperature.
OpenTherm modulation operates on a similar principle to ON/OFF modulation but is achieved more directly by setting the desired water temperature from the boiler, rather than by cycling it ON and OFF.
The key benefits of full OpenTherm modulation are more stable and accurate control of the room temperature, even when compared with ON/OFF load compensation controls.
Smart thermostat systems by Wiser support OpenTherm modulation, satisfying recommendations by BEAMA that rather than just being internet-connected, smart controls should include boiler modulation support to increase efficiency to the level needed to further reduce carbon emissions.
Harnessing Low Carbon Heating Technology with Wiser
Drayton’s range of modern heating controls, including Wiser, will play a key role in the transition to low carbon heating systems, and our net zero homes of the future.
Wiser – A Summary
• Intuitive control from anywhere via the Wiser Home app
• Quick & simple to install using industry standard wallplate
• Easy multi-zone heating control using smart radiator thermostats
• Supports OpenTherm boiler modulation
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant and IFTTT
• Heating system and energy savings feedback via the app’s Insights and Heat Report
• Compatible with mixed heating systems, including wet underfloor heating and electrical heating
• Free online training for installers, with Wiser Approved status plus benefits on completion
• Householders could save up to £200* a year in energy bills by upgrading basic Class I controls to Wiser multi-room heating and making the most of its smart modes
• Wiser Thermostat Kits have Class VI status, whilst Wiser Multizone kits Class VIII, exceeding the recommended 2022 minimum standard of Class IV
*BEAMA
Find out more about Wiser on the website.
Calling all installers!
Did you know that early adoption of upcoming new minimum installation requirements could help you grow your business?
You may have seen the recent news that there are changes on the way to Part L of Building Regulations.
It’ll mean multi-room controls like TRVs and system flow rate balancing will become mandatory for all new boiler installations, these are interim changes to help the UK’s heating systems prepare for low carbon heating technology like heat pumps.
Now’s the perfect time to adopt these standards if you haven’t already and become an energy efficiency expert that stands out from the competition.
Demand for skills in energy efficiency are on the rise and Drayton can help you up-skill for our more sustainable future, with free training in making the most of Drayton heating controls and maximising their energy-saving features.
Simply join the 9° Network today to access the 9° Know How training hub, and get other benefits.
