New ‘Neat Heat’ Zero Emission Boiler trial launches, where customers could cut their carbon emissions by 40%

• Trial – funded by UK Power Networks – will see OVO partnering with tepeo to install their cutting-edge Zero Emission Boilers in homes

• The boilers, developed and built by UK clean tech company tepeo, run on electricity, and offer a more widely accessible option

• Average household could cut their carbon emissions by 40% in the same period

• OVO customers based in the South East and East of England can register their interest from today by visiting: ovoenergy.com/neat-heat-trial

TUESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2022: A groundbreaking new trial will see innovative Zero Emission Boilers (ZEBs) installed for free in OVO customers’ homes, as part of UK Power Networks’ project Neat Heat, in the South East and East of England.

The project sees OVO, Distribution Network Operator UK Power Networks, and UK clean tech company tepeo come together to provide real-world data on how tepeo’s innovative new solution interacts with the electricity network, allowing OVO Energy to develop new offerings that will reduce costs to customers and UK Power Networks to use its existing infrastructure in a smarter way.

The Zero Emission Boilers are a low carbon alternative to a gas or oil boiler, providing the same heating service, but without the associated emissions. The boiler works like a battery to store heat efficiently, until needed, charging at the cheapest and greenest times of the day to help households cut down their usage and in turn, their energy bills. 

During the trial, which will last for 12 months from the point the customer signs up, participants could cut their carbon emissions by up to 40% year-on-year. Customers will also have access to Neat Heat credits, which means they can unlock cheaper than average energy rates when charging their boiler at around 12p per kWh – the current energy price guarantee sees the unit rate for electricity sitting at 34.04p per KWh.

An estimated 40% of UK homes lack the space required for alternative low carbon solutions, so it’s hoped Zero Emission Boilers will offer an accessible alternative to those who want to switch to a low carbon model. 

Raman Bhatia, CEO of OVO, comments: “We’re thrilled to be offering this exciting and truly innovative new trial to our customers in partnership with tepeo and UK Power Networks. With household heating accounting for 17% of the UK’s carbon emissions, Neat Heat drives forward our commitment to promoting zero carbon living and a sustainable future, whilst helping our customers to lower their energy bills through the provision of smart green tech solutions.”

Johan du Plessis, CEO of tepeo, said:  ”We urgently need to deploy solutions for low carbon heating at scale – helping UK customers transition away from fossil fuels as fast as possible. It is fantastic to be working with UK Power Networks and OVO on this project to demonstrate how low cost, low carbon, flexible heating solutions like our Zero Emission Boiler provide an option for millions of homes across the UK to go electric while supporting the UK energy system in the shift to net zero heat.”

Ian Cameron, head of customer services and innovation at UK Power Networks, said: “It’s our role to help make low carbon heating a reality for customers, ensuring no one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero. Taking steps to make pioneering solutions, like these boilers, accessible to customers ultimately saves everyone money and offers new opportunities to make our homes greener. It is key to accelerating the transition, enabling more low carbon technology to connect to the electricity network at lowest cost for everyone involved.”

The Zero Emission Boiler will be installed for free and all participants will be able to keep it once the trial ends. Eligible OVO customers can register their interest in the trial HERE. tepeo will contact customers directly if they have been accepted with more information. 

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Figures and further information:

• Customers could cut their carbon emissions by 40%: based on tepeo’s field trials run through winter 2020-2022.
• Household heating accounts for 17% of total UK carbon emissions: here.
• The Zero Emission Boiler is worth up to £7,500 and will be installed for free.

About OVO

OVO was founded in 2009 and redesigned the energy experience to be fair, effortless, green and simple for all customers. OVO was awarded Company of the Decade at the BusinessGreen Leaders’ Awards and has won multiple awards, including Innovation Project of the Year, for investing in the market leading technology, customer service operations and digital products to help customers cut their carbon emissions. OVO is on a mission through its sustainability strategy Plan Zero to tackle the most important issue of our time; the climate crisis, by bringing our customers with us on the journey towards zero carbon living. OVO Energy has committed to being a net zero carbon business and achieve bold science-based carbon reduction targets, while helping customers reduce their household emissions at the same time. 

About tepeo

Since being founded in 2018, UK clean tech company tepeo have been tackling the challenge of delivering low carbon heating for everyone.

tepeo have developed a new form of low carbon heating – the Zero Emission Boiler (ZEB®). This plug-in replacement for existing boilers works with existing heating & hot water systems to deliver low carbon & low cost heating with minimal changes to the home. Using off-peak electricity, the ZEB charges up when electricity is cheaper and greener, storing energy until it is needed. This supports the development of a low carbon electricity system – using the flexibility of thermal storage to support an increasingly variable generation mix.

tepeo are scaling up fast to help the UK deliver Net Zero – driving the transition to a world where heating is carbon free, low cost and accessible to everyone.

About UK Power Networks

UK Power Networks is the country’s biggest electricity distributor, making sure the lights stay on for more than eight million homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England. 

Network operators aren’t the same as energy suppliers; network operators manage local power lines and substations, while energy suppliers sell the electricity that runs through the power lines. 

UK Power Networks continues to be listed in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For, and made industry history by becoming the first company to win Utility of the Year two years running. 

The company invests more than £600 million in its electricity networks every year, offers extra help to vulnerable customers at times of need, and is undertaking trials to ensure that electricity networks support the transition to a low carbon future. It also moves cables and connects new electricity supplies. If you have a power cut ring 105, see www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk or tweet us @UKPowerNetworks