21-Bedroom Sunderland Co-Living Infrared Heating EPC B Case Study

The project involved a large 21-bedroom co-living development with shared spaces, varied occupancy patterns and different heating requirements across individual rooms.

A key challenge was overcoming the common assumption that infrared heating automatically leads to a poor EPC result. In many SAP and EPC assessments, modern infrared systems can be grouped with older direct-electric heaters without fully recognising advanced controls, zoning, building-fabric improvements or ventilation performance.

The heating strategy therefore needed to provide individual room control while supporting the wider SAP assessment and the building’s overall energy-performance targets.

The system also needed to suit a high-occupancy property where bedrooms and shared areas would not all be used or heated at the same time.

iHelios smart infrared heating was installed as a core part of the property’s integrated energy strategy.

Each bedroom and relevant shared space could be controlled independently, allowing heat to be delivered only where and when it was needed.

The system was designed around real occupancy patterns rather than assuming that every room would require continuous heating at the same time.

The infrared heating also avoided central heating distribution losses because there was no wet pipework, central boiler or stored heat moving around the building.

Advanced controls, responsive heating and individual zoning supported more accurate management of comfort and energy use across the property.

• iHelios smart infrared heating
• Independent room-by-room heating zones
• Advanced temperature controls
• Heating aligned with actual occupancy patterns
• Upgraded insulation throughout the property
• Reduced heat loss across the building envelope
• Controlled ventilation
• All-electric heating strategy
• No central boiler
• No wet heating pipework
• No central stored-heat distribution losses

The completed Sunderland development achieved a strong EPC B rating with iHelios infrared heating fully included in the SAP assessment.

The result demonstrated that modern infrared heating is not automatically incompatible with a strong EPC result.

Instead, the rating reflected the combined performance of the building fabric, insulation, ventilation, room zoning, controls and calculated energy demand.

Independent room control allows unoccupied bedrooms or shared spaces to remain unheated while occupied rooms can be controlled according to their own schedules and comfort requirements.

The system also avoids central distribution losses associated with long pipe runs, stored hot water and a central heating plant.

This project provides a practical example of smart infrared heating being used successfully in a large, high-occupancy co-living development.