When upgrading over 55s housing in South Wales, Hedyn housing association chose to combine several renewable technologies to future-proof housing stock and improve tenant comfort. The properties were fitted with Thermino heat batteries for hot water, NexGen infrared heating, solar PV panels and electric batteries.
The challenge
Hedyn looked to upgrade the heating and hot water systems in 18 one-bedroom flats, a three-bedroom house, and a community hall. Some of the properties had existing solar thermal systems and air source heat pumps, but these were old and ineffective.
One goal for Hedyn was to future-proof the properties by making forward-thinking choices which would allow them to come off fossil fuels and improve overall energy efficiency, ahead of net zero targets.
In terms of residents, Hedyn aimed to deliver comfortable warmth in each home, in a way which would also help lower bills and reduce the risk of fuel poverty.
The solution
Hedyn took the opportunity to include a combination of renewable technologies in the upgrades, to maximise the environmental benefits and ensure tenant satisfaction.
Each property was fitted with NexGen infrared heating, with discrete infrared wallpaper providing warmth and comfort evenly in each room, without the need for bulky radiators.
Diagram showing how infrared heating works is courtesy of NexGen. Photo shows discrete infrared wallpaper on the ceiling of one of the homes at Roderick Hill.
A Thermino heat battery was installed to provide mains-pressure hot water on-demand. Again, this helps maximise space in the flats, as a Thermino is up to four times smaller than the equivalent hot water cylinder.
Solar PV panels were also installed, with the combination of electric battery and Thermino heat battery allowing renewable energy to be captured at times of peak generation and stored for use when needed, whether as electricity or to provide hot water. Both the Thermino and electric battery can also be topped up with electricity from the grid using an off-peak tariff.
Additional energy efficiency measures were also installed to improve the overall energy performance of the buildings, including triple glazing to reduce heat losses.
The benefits
Alongside meeting Hedyn’s aims of providing a low-carbon, future-proof solution for the homes, the upgrades have brought significant benefits for residents.
The Thermino heat batteries provide a reliable supply of mains-pressure hot water, using solar and off-peak electricity to maximise savings. Hedyn chose to incorporate these systems following another successful project where heat batteries replaced traditional hot water cylinders.
The NexGen infrared heating is paired with room thermostats and an optional app, putting residents in control of which rooms to heat and when, helping them manage their bills without compromising on warmth and comfort.
Residents have reported that the system is quick to warm up and provides a comfortable heat. One resident shared, “Visiting family have noticed that my living room is now cosy and warm, it was the one room I could never get warm.”
Anthony Elston, sustainable homes project manager at Hedyn, said:
“We knew we had to take action to improve this outdated scheme of flats, which no longer met the needs of our older residents. Rather than patching up the issues, we made the decision to invest in innovative, low-carbon technologies that would make a real difference.
By installing solar PV and NexGen infrared panels for electricity and heating, and using Sunamp thermal batteries for hot water, we’ve created a modern energy system that’s both sustainable and cost-effective.
We also worked to improve the fabric of the buildings—refilling wall cavities, upgrading triple-glazed windows—so the homes are warmer, and more efficient to run. This project reflects our commitment to providing affordable warmth, cutting carbon, and future-proofing our homes for the people who live in them.”
By installing solar PV and NexGen infrared panels for electricity and heating, and using Sunamp thermal batteries for hot water, we’ve created a modern energy system that’s both sustainable and cost-effective.
Anthony Elston, sustainable homes project manager at Hedyn