Ian Rose, Sales & Strategy Director at Passiv UK, argues that the latest generation of smart controls can help both homeowners and installers maximise the performance of Heat Pump heating systems.
Heat pumps have been firmly on the government agenda for a while now, with an ambitious target to install 600,000 annually by 2028. To achieve this target, smart controls for heat pumps will play a vital role in raising the standards for efficiencies in homes – but their true impact hinges on one critical factor: simplicity.
Having spent a decade working in heat pump optimisation, we’ve learned a crucial lesson – technology is only as good as the experience it offers. The success of the transition from boilers to heat pumps relies on making heat pumps not just effective but intuitive and effortless to use, ensuring they become a seamless part of everyday life.
For homeowners, ease-of-use and confidence in controls is essential. There’s no point in being clever with your controls if the homeowner doesn’t understand or engage with it. Similarly, for installers, it’s essential that the products are easy to install and where problems do arise, that these can be identified and rapidly resolved. Too often problems with installations and commissioning lead to chronic under performance.
The latest generation of smart controls overcome these challenges.
User-friendly controls
When it comes to heating controls, British homeowners have grown accustomed to gas boilers. Unlike gas boilers, which operate at higher flow temperatures, heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures, meaning they take longer to heat a home – so having controls that are easy to use is really important.
The latest smart controls are designed to mirror the simplicity of a boiler interface, making it easy to manage home heating. These systems don’t require an internet connection or smartphone, and they can even help lower heating bills. By prioritising user-friendly design, heat pumps become not just effective, but a part of everyday life.
Easy installations
Installing and commissioning a heat pump correctly is a complex process. For a heat pump to run as efficiently as possible, it needs to be set up correctly. Setting the correct flow temperature is one of the most challenging parts of installing a heat pump. A lot of heat pumps have been set up to run at a fixed flow temperature which can result in high bills and a cold home. Enter smart controls – these clever systems help installers get it right the first time.
Smart heat pump controls can make heat pumps easier to install by completely removing the need for an installer to set a weather compensation curve. Instead, they directly control the heat pump’s flow temperature, constantly adjusting the weather compensation curve to achieve the perfect settings. This removes a headache for installers while also guaranteeing that a heat pump operates at the best possible efficiency.
In addition to removing the need to set a weather compensation curve, smart controls such as the Passiv Smart Thermostat, feature wired or wireless thermostats and a built-in, push-fit wiring centre to speed up heat pump installation. The product can be commissioned in two minutes using only the Programmer, which also guides the homeowner through registering for the Passiv app for a quick and simple handover process.
Demand Side response
Smart, automated controls are already helping householders to earn money with their heat pump. To ensure that electricity supply remains secure, heat pumps will have to form part of a smart, flexible energy system and be capable of adjusting their operation in response to national electricity requirements – something called Demand Side Response or DSR.
The growing market for domestic flexibility services provides an exciting new opportunity for heat pump owners that allows them to earn money from their heat pump – a win for the wallet and the planet.
As these technologies continue to evolve, they will play an important role in accelerating the transition to low-carbon heating and achieving the UK’s ambitious net-zero targets. In doing so, smart controls can help heat pumps become the standard choice for sustainable domestic heating, changing the narrative from one of hesitation and complexity to one of innovation, efficiency, cost saving and environmental responsibility.
With well-designed, user-friendly heating controls, we can ensure that everyday interactions with heat pumps are seamless, paving the way for widespread adoption and making this vital shift in home heating as effortless as possible.
