Panasonic provides efficient heating solutions in social housing with Service Cloud software

Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions is the preferred manufacturer of air-source heat pumps for family-run installation company, Concept Heating Systems Ltd. Making the transition from boiler installations to heat pumps 10 years ago, Concept Heating is the Lancashire contractor for a large social housing provider, Together Housing, also in collaboration with Graham Plumbing, the accredited Panasonic distributor supplying the Panasonic units.

In a bid to decarbonise Together Housing’s social housing stock, Concept Heating turned to Panasonic to provide high-quality heat pumps for tenants. Panasonic’s Aquarea J Series air-to-water heat pumps were specified to meet the request, along with its Aquarea Service Cloud software to help monitor energy efficiency. Panasonic and Graham Plumbing, have already provided sustainable heat pumps to over 700 of Together Housing’s properties, including one-bedroom apartments, terraced houses, and semi-detached homes. This year, an additional 600 properties are expected to transition to air-to-water heat pumps.

The Panasonic Aquarea Service Cloud app enables Concept Heating to identify when tenants are incorrectly operating their heat pumps, a common mistake amongst those converting from a gas boiler. To support this, Panasonic offers technical assistance through remote or on-site engineers and has Panasonic-trained and accredited engineers at Concept Heating's training centre in Bolton. The company is dedicated to educating tenants on the proper and efficient use of their heat pumps. The remote cloud platform provided by Panasonic is an essential tool for installers managing multiple properties and sites.

Director of Concept Heating, Paula Byrom, said, “Panasonic is our preferred manufacturer, and we find the units to be good quality and reliable. The service from both Panasonic and the team at Graham Plumbing regarding supplying the units has been very reliable, with no supply issues. The Panasonic Aquarea Service Cloud monitoring system is far better, in comparison than any of the other manufacturers currently on the market. We find the Smart Cloud app very useful, as we can see how the heat pumps are being utilised in each household. If the unit is not being operated efficiently by tenants, we can often either solve a problem remotely or visit the property to educate and advise the tenant on their operation of the units.”

Together Housing tenant, Graham, had his old gas heating system replaced with a Panasonic air source heat pump. “The old system was very inefficient,” said Graham, “and with the high bills these days, I didn’t want to switch it on too much, so it was pretty cold. With the heat pump, I can control how warm it is much easier. You set it to what you want and then the heating just clicks on when it drops to that temperature. I don’t have gas at all now so no standing charge, so there’s a saving there straightaway. It’s been fantastic.”

Providing tenants with a warm, comfortable and futureproofed home is at the heart of Concept Heating, Panasonic and Together Housing, plus lowering bills, is a welcome bonus. Following the comparison of a property with Q-Bot insulation and spray foam floor insulation versus without, figures indicated a saving in profit of up to 25%. Identifying the importance of insulation for effective heat pump operation, tenants of Together Housing found during the winter that their heating bills were as low as £1 per day. The 7-year warranty offered by Panasonic supports the investment in Panasonic heat pumps, ensuring higher energy efficient homes for years to come.

Panasonic Aquarea heat pump

The Panasonic J Series High Performance heat pump boasts an A+++ Energy Class, achieving average water outlet temperatures of 35°C and maximum output temperatures of 60°C. Bespoke software for maximum efficiency delivers low output temperatures. The Panasonic cloud control app and service app, with an easy-to-use remote controller for end user accessibility, enables a low carbon and holistic solution to heating. The Panasonic units are available in a range of sizes from 5, 7 and 9 kW, with an internal domestic hot water tank and external unit for ease of installation.

To find out more, please visit https://www.aircon.panasonic.eu/GB_en/ or www.conceptheating.com