News

Worcester welcomes revision to EPBD

Published: 06-06-2018

• The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) now includes mandatory individual room temperature controls ‘where technically, economically and functionally feasible’.
• Individual room temperature controls, such as Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs), must now be installed either during the construction of new buildings, or when boilers are replaced
• The benefits of TRVs are enhanced further when paired with smart controls, such as the new Bosch EasyControl.

The addition of mandatory individual room temperature controls to the EPBD is “a welcome validation of best practice for the plumbing and heating industry”, according to Martyn Bridges, our Director of Technical Communication and Product Management.

The revision requires individual room temperature controls, such as TRVs, to be installed either during the construction of new buildings, or when boilers are replaced.

Martyn says: “TRVs are highly effective at improving heating efficiency and comfort in the home. This has long been known by many installers in the UK but has only recently been acknowledged in this legislation, despite being overlooked in the Boiler Plus scheme.”

Many installers already opt for this type of temperature control as a common method of improving energy efficiency in the home, with the 2014 English Housing Survey Energy Report revealing that 76% of homes with gas central heating had either a full system or at least a partial system of TRVs.

“Using individual heating controls in conjunction with room thermostats provides individual room comfort. It also equips the system with a boiler interlock from the room thermostat, which is sited in a location that should offer an overall mean temperature of the house,” Martyn says. “TRVs are far more sophisticated, creating heating zones and supplying a controlled level of heating to suit individual rooms. With their installation now a legal requirement, thousands more homes across the UK can benefit from the energy efficiency and cost savings that TRVs provide.”

According to the EPBD, individual room controls need only be installed ‘where technically, economically and functionally feasible’.  “Given that TRVs are fairly inexpensive, have a fast payback period and, in most cases, can be easily installed onto existing radiators, I can foresee them becoming a requirement for most installations moving forwards,” Martyn says.

The benefits of TRVs are enhanced further when paired with smart controls, which allow users to monitor and control a household’s heating and hot water easily. Our new Bosch EasyControl, for example, can control heating and hot water from any external location with a web connection, via an app, to provide maximum comfort and energy efficiency. When paired with two or more Smart TRVs, the control offers a 5% uplift in efficiency, thus meeting the conditions of the Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive.

“Although TRVs are not an entirely new solution for most installers, now is the time to ensure that they are not overlooked,” Martyn says.  “Making them a legal requirement, not only validates best practice, but also ensures that TRVs are considered for all new and replacement boiler scenarios.”

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