New technologies can provide a solution to fuel poverty where conventional energy efficiency improvements are inadequate or impracticable. They can provide heat and power more cheaply through greater efficiencies or through cheaper fuels. They are particularly relevant therefore in solid-walled and non-traditional construction properties, and in those houses which are not connected to the mains gas network and therefore rely on more expensive fuels.
The relevant new technologies are:
- High efficiency boiler technologies
- Fuel cells
- Micro-CHP (combined heat and power)
- Heating controls
- Solar thermal (hot water)
- Photovoltaics
- Biofuel heating
- Wind
- Heat pumps
- Hydro
- Heat recovery ventilation systems
- Geothermal
Each of these technologies may be more appropriate to an individual household or to communal use.
NEA supports the development of these technologies and their contribution to tackling fuel poverty, environmental protection and job creation. However, there are a number of issues that need to be considered and resolved before NEA can fully support the widespread installation of these technologies in fuel-poor households. These are:
Minimising fuel use – homes should be fully insulated to reduce the fuel requirement and cost to the householder
Providing whole-house heating – systems should be capable of providing whole-house affordable heating on demand. This should not be dependent on weather conditions or the operating requirements of the heating system
Systems should be correctly designed – to provide the householder with flexibility and back-up heating for cold spells
Technologies must be proven – whilst field trials will be necessary, the fuel poor should not be used as research subjects for new technologies
User friendly – technologies must be understood by the householder who must also be able to operate them fully
Adequate advice provision – advice should be available before, during and after installation since the level of “general awareness” of new technologies will be low
Training for installers – installers should be fully trained and able to advise the householder on the operation of the system
Cost – the new technologies should provide a cost-effective solution over their lifetime
Warranty – the householder should be provided with a suitable warranty and a maintenance contract for an initial period to ensure that the system operates efficiently
New Energy Technologies (1 page /56 kb)