Ambion, a manufacturer of computer-controlled infrared (CCIR) space heating technology, has expanded its portfolio to include KERS water heating systems, providing social housing organisations with a comprehensive solution to help them update their properties to EPC rating C.

While social housing providers are currently obliged to maintain an EPC score of E, they are also now required to improve the EPC scores of all their properties to C or above by 2030. In addition, when the Future Homes Standard comes into force in 2025, any new homes built will not be connected to the gas grid. As a result, providers are now under pressure to install low-carbon heating solutions that can help them to significantly reduce emissions and improve the energy performance of their properties.

KERS is a highly efficient indoor heat pump with integrated mechanical extract ventilation (MEV) which works by recycling the warm air generated inside a home, such as in the kitchen and bathroom, to produce hot water. It can achieve temperatures of up to 65?, which is higher than standard air-source heat pumps (ASHPs), without using an electric immersion heater.

As well as boosting EPC scores and helping providers prepare for the Future Homes Standard, Ambion’s CCIR and KERS combination can help significantly reduce fuel poverty.  As CCIR uses 60% less energy than standard convection systems, and KERS uses 70% less energy than standard water heating systems, residents' heating bills will be significantly reduced. 

Both systems also provide a more comfortable experience for residents. CCIR heats the materials in the room rather than the air, providing a more comfortable source of heat, and reducing damp and circulating dust, while KERS removes condensation and humidity.

Oliver Baker, Chief Executive at Ambion, said: “We know from working with several social housing providers that they are looking for easy-to-install, cost-effective and highly efficient solutions to help them meet their EPC obligations and support the financial and emotional wellbeing of their residents.

“As well as our CCIR space heating systems, we wanted to offer providers a full solution to help them bring their properties up to EPC C. CCIR is a low-carbon source of heat and KERS converts waste heat into low-cost, renewable hot water, so together they provide a solution that can achieve a significant reduction in carbon emissions, lower the chances of fuel poverty, while also increasing comfort.”

Dean Guest, Managing Director of KERS, said: “As KERS is an indoor heat pump with a discreet cylinder design that can easily be installed in a cupboard, it is not susceptible to outside temperature drops, which can be an issue with ASHPs. This makes CCIR plus KERS the ideal solution for social housing providers.”

Ambion is working with C80 Solutions, the environmental consultancy, in order to give social housing providers a one-stop solution, including an EPC calculation based on CCIR and KERS, to assist in decision making.

Jonathan Hill, Energy and Sustainability Consultant at C80 Solutions, commented: “We work with many social housing providers to help them achieve their required SAP and EPC ratings, and help them to identify ways to improve their scores. The combination of CCIR and KERS is a great solution for social housing providers looking to significantly reduce energy consumption and improve the rating of their properties. Not only is it an efficient way of heating the home but also a C can easily be achieved on an EPC”

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