A pilot program introducing a new gadget that heats residents’ hot water tanks at no cost is underway in certain Housing Executive locations.
Michael Moore from Omagh is among approximately 20 homeowners participating in a project initiated by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and EnergyCloud NI.
He mentioned that it’s consistently scalding, and occasionally reaches extremely high temperatures.
There is hope that these devices, utilizing surplus locally-produced renewable energy, will aid in reducing fuel poverty. In just the initial two weeks, participants have received the equivalent of four full tanks of hot water.
For Michael, whose grown-up son underwent a kidney transplant, this implies avoiding the use of the immersion heater for hot water since his family already incurs expenses to maintain a cozy home temperature.
“As soon as you turn it on, I don’t have to do anything; it all happens automatically,” explained Michael.
In the morning when you wake up, the water is nice and warm, which feels wonderful.
‘The potential is huge’
If an excess of renewable energy is generated beyond what is needed for use, producers can receive instructions to decrease or halt operations to maintain grid stability.
This issue may occur more frequently during nighttime when public demand decreases.
According to the lead for sustainability at the Housing Executive, as up to 22% of homes in Northern Ireland struggle with fuel poverty—defined as spending over 10% of household income on staying warm—the initiative has the potential to significantly affect many families.
“As an organization housing 82,000 homes, the possibilities are enormous,” stated Robert Clements.
Usually, about a hundred times each year, the homeowner will receive complimentary hot water.
The night before, they will receive a message informing them.
There is a fuel poverty problem in Northern Ireland, and this approach helps mitigate and decrease it.
Aiding individuals and nature
Initiatives to harness “unused” renewable energy were launched in the republic starting from 2023.
Nearly 40% of the wind energy produced in Northern Ireland during December 2024 went unutilized because of limitations in the electrical grid infrastructure.
In 2024, approximately 915 GWh of renewable energy was produced in Northern Ireland overall. This amount, according to EnergyCloud NI, could have provided heating for over 300 million tanks of hot water.
Redirecting surplus energy to give free hot water to households at risk of fuel poverty both improves the efficiency of renewable generation and supports vulnerable people.
“The power utilized for warming up those tanks full of water throughout the nighttime is considered green energy and clean energy with significantly lower carbon emissions,” stated Jamie Delargy, who chairs EnergyCloud NI.
Thus, it genuinely assists individuals while doing so in an environmentally friendly manner.
- Solar panels and heat pumps have made an incredible impact.