The two now re-branded OVO schemes, the ‘Zero Carbon Home Project’ and ‘Zero Carbon Heating Trial’ are funded from by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through its Energy Innovation Programme. The two schemes see a combined Government investment of £5.8m worth of funding spread across nearly 300 sites across the UK.

Mitsubishi Electric is providing its Ultra Quiet Ecodan model which is built in Livingston, Scotland to the projects with OVO as the lead energy supplier.

“We are delighted to be taking part in a project of this scale and working with the UK’s leading independent energy supplier”, said Russell Dean, head of residential heating, Mitsubishi Electric. “Domestic heating is one of the biggest areas where our carbon emissions can be cut by making a few simple changes. Combining with the network of OVO we are excited to be helping applicants reduce their carbon emissions to net-zero in this trial.”

The two trials form part of increased investment by the UK Government in renewable technology as it looks to reach its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. Domestic heating forms the largest single source of carbon emissions, accounting for 15% of the UK’s emissions output. This scheme aims to develop a mass-market smart electric heating product that can replace the use of traditional fossil fuel heating systems.

Jessica Tan, managing director, OVO Smart Home said: “Mitsubishi Electric is a well-established leader and innovator in its sector and their air source heat pumps are no exception. The trials allow us to develop alternatives to gas heating, which is a critical piece to deliver our sustainability vision under our Plan Zero - which commits to halving customers’ carbon footprints by 2030. We are excited to be leading this work with Mitsubishi Electric, to drive the technological solutions which will move us towards zero carbon living in a way that’s sustainable for our customers and the climate.”

Ultra Quiet Ecodan air source heat pump from Mitsubishi Electric provides reliable, renewable heating and hot water production for a wide range of installations. With a sound pressure level of just 45 dB(A), Ultra Quiet Ecodan makes passing Permitted Development requirements much easier. Ultra Quiet Ecodan is available in 8.5kW and 11.2kW sizes.

“These schemes will help to showcase sustainability in the way homes are heated and hopefully kick-start the domestic home heating revolution that is desperately needed in the UK if we are to achieve our commitment to net-zero,” concluded Mr Dean.