Commercial-to-Residential Case Study
Commercial Spaces Converted into Energy-Efficient Residential Units
This mixed-use conversion transformed existing commercial space into six residential flats and three upgraded offices with a strong focus on energy efficiency, low running costs and smart control.
The project combined iHelios smart infrared heating, rooftop solar PV, enhanced insulation, improved ventilation and home automation to create comfortable, efficient spaces while reducing energy waste.
The completed renovation demonstrates how existing commercial buildings can be upgraded into modern residential and office accommodation without relying on a traditional wet central-heating system.
The project
The project involved upgrading an existing commercial building into a mixed-use development containing six flats and three offices.
Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the renovation focused on making better use of the existing structure while significantly improving energy performance.
The strategy combined improved insulation, upgraded ventilation, solar PV, smart heating and automated energy controls.
The objective was to create comfortable residential and office spaces while reducing operating costs and improving the overall energy efficiency of the building.
The challenge
Commercial-to-residential conversions can present several heating and energy challenges.
The existing building needed to provide comfortable temperatures across multiple flats and office spaces, each with different occupancy patterns and heating requirements.
The project also needed to reduce energy waste, improve insulation and ventilation, and support a high EPC rating.
A conventional central heating system would have made it harder to provide precise independent control across every space.
The solution therefore needed to support individual zoning, scheduling and occupancy-based operation
The iHelios solution
A smart iHelios heating system was installed to provide precise temperature control across the residential units and offices.
Each area could be controlled independently, helping occupants maintain comfort without unnecessarily heating unused spaces.
The smart controls support scheduling and remote operation, allowing heating to be matched more closely to occupancy and demand.
In the office areas, occupancy control was used to adjust heating levels depending on whether spaces were being used, reducing unnecessary energy consumption when offices were empty.
Solar PV and energy integration
Rooftop solar panels were installed as part of the wider energy strategy.
The solar PV system generates renewable electricity that can contribute to the electrical demand of the flats, offices and heating system.
During periods of stronger solar generation, particularly in summer, the project experienced significantly lower electricity costs.
The combination of solar PV and smart electric heating helped reduce reliance on conventional energy sources while improving overall building efficiency.
Smart automation and occupancy control
The project also incorporated home automation and energy-management technology.
Smart lighting, thermostats and energy monitoring can be used to automate and optimise energy consumption.
For the office spaces, occupancy-based heating control allows temperatures to be adjusted according to actual use.
When spaces are unoccupied, heating demand can be reduced automatically.
This approach helps prevent wasted energy and allows the building to operate more efficiently throughout the day.
Operating cost reduction
Following the renovation, energy costs were substantially reduced.
During winter, average monthly heating expenditure was reported at approximately £600 across the development.
During summer, stronger solar generation reduced monthly costs to around £30.
Annual electricity costs were reported to have fallen from approximately £16,000 to £4,500.
Across the development, this equates to less than £40 per month per unit on average according to the original project figures.
Approx. 72% reduction in annual electricity costs
The result
The completed conversion demonstrates how existing commercial buildings can be transformed into efficient residential and office accommodation using a combination of building-fabric improvements and smart electric technologies.
The project achieved EPC A performance while providing precise room-by-room heating control.
Solar PV, smart iHelios heating, occupancy control, improved insulation and enhanced ventilation worked together to reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
The project shows the potential for commercial-to-residential conversions to deliver both improved comfort and substantially lower energy bills.
System installed
• iHelios smart infrared heating system
• Independent room and zone control
• Occupancy-based heating control
• Smart thermostats
• Remote heating management
• Rooftop solar PV
• Energy monitoring
• Smart lighting integration
• Improved wall, floor and roof insulation
• Automated energy control
Commercial Conversion Infrared Heating FAQs
Can infrared heating be used in commercial-to-residential conversions?
Yes. Smart electric infrared heating can be particularly useful in conversions because individual flats and rooms can be controlled independently without relying on one central wet heating system.
Can each flat have separate heating control?
Yes. Independent thermostats and heating zones allow each flat, office or room to operate at different temperatures and schedules.
Can heating automatically reduce energy when an office is empty?
Yes. Occupancy-based control can reduce heating when office spaces are unoccupied, helping minimise unnecessary energy consumption.
Can infrared heating work with solar panels?
Yes. Infrared heating is electric, so rooftop solar PV can contribute directly to the building’s electrical and heating demand when solar generation is available.
Can infrared heating system help improve EPC performance?
Heating is only one part of EPC performance. In this project, smart heating was combined with solar PV, insulation, ventilation improvements and other energy-efficiency measures, helping the development achieve EPC A performance.
