- Researchers analysed electricity consumption data from seven homes over one year
- Heat-pump homes had lower overall electricity consumption than expected
- Annual total energy consumption was between 40%-67% lower than UK average
Homes with heat pumps put less pressure on the electricity grid than those without, according to a case study of the first UK homes designed to meet new building standards.
The report, titled Electricity consumption in net zero ready homes with ASHP and PV and its effect on power networks, analysed data from seven homes with heat pumps and solar arrays over a year and found that those with heat pumps as opposed to gas boilers could save a huge amount of energy.
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The properties included in the study were from a 12-home social housing development known as Project 80 in Birmingham. They used as much as 67% less energy than the UK average, which researchers called “a huge saving” compared to the typical household.
On top of that, Dr Monica Mateo-Garcia, academic lead at Birmingham City University’s Centre for Future Homes, one of the study’s participants, said that the average peak electricity demand per property was one-third of the maximum capacity, much lower than expected.
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The statistics for energy consumption varied slightly as halfway through the year, the researchers found some residents to be manually switching on their immersion heaters, unaware that their heating system automatically provided hot water.
One household went so far as to turn off their heat pump and use an electric fan heater in a single room, which was much less efficient than heating the entire house with a heat pump.
The carbon savings of the homes have not yet been published, but analysis suggests that performance could be improved further with renewable technologies such as solar batteries introduced.
Aaron Gillich, professor of building performance and policy at London South Bank University, explained that the study supports the rollout of heat pumps.
“We’re finding that all those reasons not to go ahead with a heat pump are slowly but surely falling away.”
The Project 80 homes were completed in 2022 and adhere to a 2019 version of the Future Homes Standard. Although just a draft of the scheme we have today, it required an 80% reduction in predicted carbon emissions for all new-build homes in England, in comparison with 2013 building regulations.
The final Future Homes Standard Legislation hasn’t yet been published, but will require all new homes in England to be fitted with solar panels and heat pumps from 2027.
Richard Fitton, professor of energy performance at the University of Salford, called the study “a sterling bit of work,” and said that “we currently seem to be overpredicting how much power we need in new-build housing.”
Critics of heat pumps say the technology can’t effectively heat homes. However, this case study has shown that electrified homes use less energy during peak times than expected and that peak usage varies between properties, also reducing stress on the grid.
Mateo-Garcia expressed how thrilled the social-housing occupants were at the quality of the properties.
According to Mateo-Garcia, one occupant said: “It is an eco-friendly house, and we hope it will bring down our energy cost and for health reasons as well. Also, it has new technology, including PV panels and electric car charging.”
An interim report published in 2023 in regards to the development disclosed that one family, suffering from recurring asthma in the past, had not experienced the same symptoms since moving into a Project 80 home.
Some of the homes had lower overall electricity consumption for space heating and hot water than expected. This data was based on energy performance certificate (EPC) calculations, which are an outdated and unreliable way to estimate the energy performance of a household.
Midland Heart, the housing association behind the development, is currently in the planning process for a 95 home development that will follow in the footsteps of Project 80.
It says it will also explore options for energy storage solutions which means occupants will be able to take advantage of smart tariffs, leading to even greater savings.
Get £7500 towards your heat pump installation through a trusted installer
An MCS-certified heat pump installer can apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme on your behalf, get a quote from one now
