Overview

Centre for Net Zero and Nesta have partnered on HeatFlex UK, a project to pilot and then develop a trial to investigate heat pump flexibility, consumer preferences and how these are affected by third party automation and pre-heating.

Key findings

Pilot findings suggest we are able to shift heat demand:

① We found broad acceptance of automation
9 out of 10 participants found the intervention acceptable.

② Thermal comfort was not generally affected
This finding was based on elucidated personal preferences.

③ People were less accepting of morning events.

④ Temperatures generally decreased by small amounts during the flexibility window
By 0.3C on average from start to end.

We'll be sharing further insights from this ongoing trial in October 2024.