last updated 26th January 06
by Chris Davis, marketing manager for Dimplex

Most significant development in electric heating in over a decade.

UK Building regulations Part L requires space and water heating systems that are controllable and energy efficient. Although electric heating has always been 100% efficient at the point of use, the historical generation mix of electricity (coal, oil and gas) coupled with declining contributions from nuclear means that overall carbon emissions remain relatively high when compared to other fuels.

This will change over the next five to ten years as Government policies on sustainable, renewable sources of generation take hold, however in the mean time to get the best result for new housing, specifiers and installers need to choose electric heating products that give the best levels of controllability and environmental performance.
SAP2005

The measurement tool for demonstrating compliance with Part L is SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure for energy ratings in dwellings) and a new version is being produced in line with the 2006 regulation changes due on 1 April.

In carbon terms, electric panel heaters will always give the lowest emissions due to their high levels of controllability and therefore provide the easiest route to compliance with Part L. Arguably the most controllable and responsive of any type of heating system, direct electric heating is ideally suited to small, well insulated properties such as new build flats and apartments, a sector which for some years now this type of product has been growing in popularity as the heating system of choice. Slim line and modern in appearance and low in capital cost, top of the range systems also provide the ability to be centrally controlled, just like a traditional central heating system.

In the past, the downside here has been the relative lack of controllability (when compared to panel heaters) and therefore a subsequent higher carbon emission factor.

That is until now...The new Dimplex DuoHeat(r) radiator combines the benefit of low cost energy from off-peak tariffs, with the controllability advantages of direct response electric heaters in a product that is without question, the most significant development in electric heating in over a decade.

Heat is provided from a carefully balanced mix of off-peak and direct acting sources, giving DuoHeat the flexibility and controllability to match the users lifestyle, while managing to keep running costs low. In SAP terms, this allows DuoHeat to provide the best of both worlds - low carbon emissions due to it's high level of controllability and low running costs because it is able to take advantage of lower cost off-peak electricity.This is achieved more easily and the costs of building fabric improvements minimized.