Heat Wayv, a UK energy technology company, has unveiled the world’s first microwave boiler intended as a zero-emissions replacement for gas boilers, with a view to the phase-out of natural gas in new-build homes from 2025.

The company originally developed the microwave technology as a portable cooking device for military use and has now applied it to the heating of water.

Same to buy, same to install and same to run as a gas boiler.

Co-founder Phil Stevens said: “The end of the [natural] gas boiler is inevitable and scheduled. But the proposed replacement technologies do not work for consumers as they are either too expensive to install or too expensive to run. We looked for a clean technology where the boiler would cost the consumer the same to buy, same to install and same to run as a gas boiler.”

Mr Stevens and co-founder Paul Atherton believe that it can provide a lower-cost and simpler alternative to heat pumps for use in new-build homes, while at the same time being straightforward to fit in existing homes. This they believe gives the technology a dual advantage over gas boilers – its lack of carbon monoxide emissions and electric power make it a compelling option for boiler replacement now, while ultimately it offers a more practical and lower cost alternative to the hydrogen grid, currently being proposed.

A more practical solution than hydrogen?

Mr Atherton said: “We believe this technology offers a more practical solution than hydrogen, with considerably less investment than the billions hydrogen will cost, but even if the hydrogen grid does become a reality, for the next 30 years or however long it takes this is a perfect bridging technology.”

The company is in advanced talks with housebuilders to trial the technology in a real-world setting next year, and then to optimise it with a plan to sell the boilers through wholesalers in 2024

96% efficient

The concept brings with a host of claimed benefits beyond its plug and play installation: it is 96% efficient; it is silent in operation; installers can be trained on a half-day course and as it is largely based on solid-state components, it is low in maintenance, so will be offered with a ten-year warranty.

Mr Atherton said: “There are really only three components and no mechanical moving parts – the pump comes in cassette form so it can simply be removed.”

On top of that, its electronic control system and silent running lend it well to optimised electricity use as well as to making use of demand side response incentives from the National Grid.

Can be remotely monitored and maintained

As an IoT device, the HeatWayz boiler can be remotely monitored and maintained, and can be optimised and even upgraded without the customer having to make callouts, the founders say.

The Heat Wayv system is based on the microwave technology used in domestic cooking settings, with the heart of the system what is termed a Technology Stack. The patented Wayv Technology Stack is a solid-state, robust, RF framework that utilises configurable and controllable high-performance amplifiers to generate energy.

Its microwave-emitting ‘magnetron’ uses a specific frequency to transfer energy to individual water molecules and so heat up the volume of water.

Designed and shielded in a superior way to microwave ovens

The company says it uses ‘a combination of sequential pulse-width modulation and specialist materials to provide what is effectively continuous heating but at reduced power settings…The microwave boilers are designed and shielded in a far superior way to regular microwave ovens so that they can never interfere with household electronic equipment such as wi-fi routers.

A multi-blade assembly heats the water through a proprietary system where flow rates are determined by sensors and AI-based controllers – ensuring that a consistent water temperature is reached in the most efficient way possible, the company says: “Where energy is inevitably lost to the surroundings, a turbo charge approach recycles this energy back into heating the water.”

The system will preheat the water to 20-22 deg C then lift it to 65 deg C for delivery at around 9 litres a minute.

Fitted on any interior wall or retrofitted into any current system

The boiler will initially be offered in two configurations: The Heat Wayv one is equivalent to a standard combi-boiler in size with a 40 litre holding tank, and, since it doesn’t need an external vent, it can be fitted on any interior wall or retrofitted into any current system in less than a day, the firm says.

The HeatWayv max, is a scaled-up unit incorporating a pressurised 280 litre internal hot water tank for larger households and is the size of a standard single double-height kitchen unit.

The units are modular, enabling them to be configured in sizes from 5 kW to 60 kW, with the standard unit set at around 10.5 kW, although the precise capacities are to be decided after the post-trial optimising process.

Manufactured and available for installation before 2025

The company says it is working with leading semiconductor companies for some of its componentry and a world leading contract manufacturer that should enable the new microwave boilers to be manufactured and available for installation before 2025. Mr Stevens is confident that manufacturing can be scaled up to meet demand to whatever level becomes necessary. He said: “These companies are used to scaling up to produce things like iPhones in their millions, so there are no concerns about their ability to produce thousands or even hundreds of thousands if necessary.”

Starting with newbuild homes and housing associations

The founders say they are aiming at domestic applications, starting with newbuild homes and housing associations. A total of 170,000 new homes are currently being built with plans to expand this to 300,000 homes per year, and from 2025 these new homes will not be allowed to install gas boilers. The social housing sector in the UK, with its 1,500 housing associations managing some 2.5m households, is also keen to move away from gas boilers for environmental, safety and maintenance reasons.

Mr Atherton said: “The beauty of our microwave boiler platform is that it is completely compatible with existing home radiators, easy to install and maintain, but with zero emissions – as the UK and the world moves to renewable energy, we need to have appliances that are zero-emissions in the home, but also connected so that the devices can work intelligently with the grid.”

Just half a day to install

A key attraction for installers will be the combination of ease of installation and potential product margins, the founders believe. Mr Stevens said: “It shouldn’t take installers more than half a day to install, so they can comfortably fit two a day, if not more.”

The company believes the technology will be ripe for embracing by both the gas and electric heating installation sector. Mr Atherton said: “We are saying you can go on a half-day course and once you’ve learned how to install the boiler, the opportunities with this technology could give a job for the next 25 years. We believe the gas boiler’s ship has sailed.”

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In the past, building homes more energy efficient required major investments. With the rising cost of energy, most new home buyers are unwilling to pay these costs. But in recent years, home builders have made major upgrades to their homes that make them more efficient. And those improvements are helping consumers avoid higher utility bills. But how do we know which homes are the most energy efficient?

We can start by visiting our Home Energy Assessment page. Here are some steps to make your home more energy efficient:

When building a new home, there are many options available. A well-built home will be more comfortable and save money in the long run. With improved insulation, it won’t have hot and cold spots and won’t require nighttime A/C. In colder climates, air leaks and poor insulation will make your house feel colder than it is. But better insulation and better heating systems will solve these issues. In short, it’s a win-win.

Retrofitting Older Homes

The benefits of retrofitting older homes are numerous, but not all of them have the same environmental impact. Some are just uncomfortable and drafty, while others are a contributing factor to rising energy bills. Fortunately, retrofitting is a good option for both households and climate change.

The UK is the world’s second-largest net carbon emitter, responsible for around 14% of total emissions. As part of the UK government’s net zero targets, it is essential to retrofit at least one million homes annually.

While piecemeal improvements are often effective, they fail to consider the overall impact of the project. Although blocking off a chimney or replacing wooden window frames can reduce heat loss, they can also increase moisture levels and increase the risk of mould and damp.

Ultimately, it is best to consider the environmental impact of any renovation project before beginning work. Whether you choose to retrofit an existing home or build a new one, it is important to remember that different aspects of a building require different levels of energy and maintenance.

Improving Home Energy Performance

If you’re considering a major renovation project, consider Improving Your Home Energy Performance before you start. Energy efficiency will help you lower energy costs and cut your carbon emissions, while also helping your pocketbook. And remember, government incentives are available to offset the costs of these upgrades. And with many incentives stacking up, you can choose to invest in one project or many. Regardless of your remodelling plans, the most important thing is to keep your energy bills low.

While you’re in the midst of a renovation project, don’t be afraid to ask for references. This can help you narrow down your choices. Look for professionals with relevant experience in energy renovation. You can also look for those with referrals from trusted sources, strong portfolios, and professional associations. And remember to get everything in writing!

Find builders and renovators that build and renovate homes with high energy efficiency, and Net Zero-certified status. You can check their credentials here.

Get Retrofit Ready

The UK government is committed to tackling climate change and reducing its impact on the environment, but many homes are not ready for retrofitting. The government is now launching a scheme to help people get retrofit ready for their homes. However, the scheme has a long way to go to make all homes energy efficient. There are still many obstacles to overcome, though.

One of the main ones is a lack of information. The report says that fewer than half of UK homeowners want to upgrade their homes despite the potential benefits.

One of the first steps to retrofitting your home is to check the fabric of your house. Your home’s fabric, including your walls, floors, roof and windows and doors, will have a large impact on the retrofit work you need. It’s best to assess the fabric of your home before embarking on larger projects. By checking your home’s fabric, you can make sure that you’re retrofitting in the right place.

You can also benefit from their expert advice on the various types of improvements that can be made to your property. Here are some tips to help you get started. Read on to find out more about what a Retrofit Assessor does.

PAS 2035 is the overarching document in the Retrofit Standards Framework. It lays down the requirements for assessment, EEM package design, and monitoring. The new version has been streamlined and contains several sections from PAS 2030.

A retrofit assessor will assess the energy performance of a property

The retrofit assessor should be able to assess the energy performance of a property. This will include its insulation value, its heating and ventilation systems, its exterior and interior, and the number of rooms in the property.

An experienced Retrofit Assessor can ensure that a home’s retrofitting process is seamless. If you’re interested in becoming a Retrofit Assessor, be sure to contact a local organisation to find out more about the training and the role.

A qualified Retrofit Assessor should be able to assess a property for energy efficiency. In addition to assessing the energy performance, they should also be able to assess the design and the layout of the property. An assessment should be based on the risk path outlined in PAS 2035. Once the Retrofit Assessor approves the design, the installation process can begin. Once the work is complete, the project can be certified and registered.

PAS2035 assessor

Using a PAS2035 assessor will ensure that the retrofit process is performed as required by the government. The process focuses on the whole building and how the improvements will affect the property’s performance. You can identify the measures that must be installed together and estimate the capital costs. Then, you can assess the measures by determining their impact on the performance of the building. This will help you find the best retrofit for your home.

A retrofit assessor can work alongside local authorities

When choosing a Retrofit Assessor, make sure they are certified by a Government Endorsed Quality Scheme. This will ensure that they are properly trained and competent to do the work. The assessment will also ensure that the retrofit assessor is able to work with the local authorities and the local authority. It will also protect your property. The process is simple, and you can consult with the expert anytime you like to get a quote.

Once you have chosen a Retrofit Assessor, it is important to consider the types of improvements that they can implement in your home. This includes installing window vents and improving the airtightness of the building’s envelope. Additionally, you need to ask them about the cost and how long the work will take. You need to be a member of a local planning authority and a registered RdSAP is an excellent way to do this.

A Retrofit Assessor can help you find the best solution for your building

A Retrofit Assessor will help you find the best solution for your building. The assessment will determine whether the building is air-tight or not. It will also help you choose the right type of retrofit. It is best to hire an assessor who has a proven track record in retrofitting buildings. There are several types of experts in the field of energy efficiency. It is crucial to choose a professional who is knowledgeable in these fields.