Key Takeaways from Future Build 2023

Just over a month ago we were lucky enough to exhibit at Futurebuild in London, an event that brought together so many forward-thinking individuals and companies.

We had lots of exciting conversations with visitors who were keen to learn more about how our products could help them reduce their heating bills and their carbon footprint.

However, we were particularly intrigued and reassured by sector experts who were calling for industry change surrounding an array of issues, so much so we wanted to write this blog to highlight our key Futurebuild takeaways.

Heat pumps aren’t suitable for retrofit

We all know that heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular as a heating solution for many households, especially those looking for a more sustainable and efficient option. However, a common question that arises is why heat pumps can’t simply be retrofitted into existing UK homes. The answer is a bit complicated, but there are several reasons why retrofitting a heat pump into an existing home is often not feasible or practical as highlighted by many speakers at Futurebuild.

 
1.Firstly, the installation of a heat pump requires a certain level of insulation and air-tightness within the home. This is because heat pumps work by extracting heat from the outside air and transferring it into the home, and any leaks or gaps in the home’s insulation will cause the heat to escape, making the system less efficient. Many older UK homes are not adequately insulated and have air leaks, making them unsuitable for heat pump installation without significant retrofitting.
 
2.Secondly, heat pumps require a different type of heating distribution system than traditional boilers. Heat pumps operate at lower temperatures than boilers, which means that they are best suited for use with underfloor heating or oversized radiators. Retrofitting a heat pump into a home with a traditional radiator system would require the installation of larger radiators or additional underfloor heating, which can be expensive, intrusive and time-consuming.
 
3.Finally, the electrical system in many older UK homes may not be able to handle the additional power required for a heat pump. Heat pumps require a significant amount of electricity to operate, and the existing electrical system in many homes may not be able to support this additional demand. This would require an upgrade to the electrical system, which can also be costly and disruptive.

So, while heat pumps are a great option for many homes looking to reduce their carbon footprint and energy bills, retrofitting them into existing UK homes is often not feasible or practical which was echoed across many Futurebuild conversations.

The EPC system is outdated

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) system was also another topic of debate at Futurebuild. The EPC ratings are based on assumptions about the building’s construction, insulation, and heating systems, however this may not accurately reflect the actual energy consumption and efficiency of the property.

We firmly believe this is the case as the EPC system does not take into account factors such as occupancy patterns, real-time energy consumption and the true efficiency of heating systems.

As a result, the EPC ratings may not provide an accurate representation of a building’s energy efficiency, which can be misleading to prospective buyers. At Futurebuild, it was evident that there is an opportunity to modernise the EPC system to better serve its intended purpose as technology and data analytics continue to evolve.

We have many similar conversations with landlords who are worried about meeting EPC requirements, given the narrative around electric radiators and their “inefficiency”. Although very simply, electric radiators are actually the most efficient at the point of use. The problem is, the EPC focuses on the heating systems which have traditionally served consumers but this doesn’t tell the whole story or keep up with new inventions.

For example, in most cases the recommendations being made for electric heating is via night storage heaters that use the off peak tariffs. However, this type of heating is falling out of favour with tenants and residents due to inefficiency and lack of control. Whereas in reality, they make it onto the favoured options list purely because they are being measured on the off-peak tariff versus the peak. This means there is no consideration around behaviour, lifestyle or actual running costs, further highlighting the need for change.

Our Conclusions

Overall, our experience as an exhibitor at Futurebuild was insightful and it was great to be part of a larger movement towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. Although it is clear from our conversations with industry experts and homeowners, that government change is needed to fulfil 2050 net zero targets and keep up with the quickly evolving landscape.

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