Over the past few months work has been carried out and equipment installed to two bungalows in Lapford, Devon which reflect the highest level of energy efficiency Mid Devon District Council hope to achieve within this building type. The performance of the systems within the homes will be monitored for the first year of their occupancy and will help to:

Determine the lowest possible carbon footprint the Council can expect to achieve;
Determine budgets for future works; and
Indicate the level of carbon offset required to achieve net zero targets.

Space saving roof space installation

House in Lapford with finished heating controls, for Unico.

A state-of-the-art heating and cooling system from UNICO has been installed in both properties, delivering benefits of air filtration (similar to that of a GP surgery), adjustable heating and cooling for cold winter months/hot summer months as well as a humidistat controlled mechanical extraction vent (MEV) which can remove excess moisture. This means that they would be suitable for people with respiratory diseases whilst also suitable for people with a compromised immune system.

Further adaptations have been made, including: increased cavity wall and loft insulation, newly fitted doors and windows, solar PV and/or solar thermal, internal renovation with upgraded kitchens and level access showers making these truly lifelong properties.

These homes meet decarbonisation targets set out in the recently adopted Housing strategy, with the Council looking to achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate of C (standard) in all properties by 2030 and becoming net zero by 2050 by retrofitting and upgrading existing properties.

Councillor Bob Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Service said:

“It was a great opportunity to see these properties first hand. They are real, tangible examples of how we can achieve our decarbonisation targets through bringing our current housing stock up-to-date. Making the Councils housing stock carbon neutral a reality is not going to be easy and will be financially challenging but these first steps are a positive sign of progress.

“The many benefits of these properties speak for themselves. It is my hope that we can bring more and more of these improvements to Mid Devon residents in the near future – helping to make houses more liveable and most importantly, feel like home.”

The Council has existing carbon budget commitments to meet its targets with a recent bid for additional funding of £2.1 Million submitted to the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).

From 2022, all new projects and new build Council homes will be an Energy Performance Certificate of A (very efficient) and zero carbon.

View the full case study here

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Mid Devon District Council select Unico based on its innovative design

Superior Comfort

Installation background

Installation Date: Summer 2021
Property Type: Off gas one bedroom bungalow
Unico System: 1218 BL1 Blower Module, S.M.A.R.T. Control, Variable Speed EC Motor, 1218 CL1 Heatpump Coil Module & Ultraviolet Lighting System for air purification
Energy Source: Daikin Altherma EDLQ-CV3 air to water monobloc heat pump
Controls: Nest – Pro Learning Thermostat

The aim of this project was to provide a system that delivers efficient, high-quality heating, cooling and ventilation to an existing traditional build bungalow.

The system needed to be controllable, efficient, simple, effective and affordable. The installation is required to be scalable, in terms of application and value whilst addressing issues of ventilation, indoor air quality and possible overheating within the property.

Discreet climate control

Previous issues within the property

Property & occupants

Householders in this property type are more likely to be elderly and less mobile
Many householders have downsized to a smaller property, and with a lifetime of possessions means that space can be at a premium. Radiators and panel heaters may become obstructed and this impedes heating and the flow of air within the property.
Costly and inefficient heating systems are less likely to be used. This results in under heated, poorly ventilated properties that may be subject to damp and mould.
Householders often create conditions that are likely to cause issues., ie, don’t open windows, cook without lids, don’t close the door to the bathroom, hang wet washing by heaters, etc.

To meet these challenges, they turned to the Unico System.

Solution

Mid Devon District Council selected the Unico SDHV system based on its innovative design which delivers conditioned and enhanced indoor air quality. The system integrates a humidistat controlled MEV and maintains an exchange of fresh air to the property. The advantage of being able to locate the distribution system in the roof space. The longer term operational benefits include the price point, the integration of known technologies (ASHP) and the potential for future installations to be delivered by the DLO. The enhanced environmental controls maintain healthy households, reducing pressure on the local NHS and GP surgeries. We also expect the system to be fundamental in helping with the reduction of disrepair claims as a result of damp and mould.