The UK housing stock wasn’t designed for extreme summer heat. Most homes were built to retain warmth during long, damp winters and lack the insulation, ventilation and shading needed to cope with rising summer temperatures. As climate change drives more unpredictable weather, including days soaring above 30°C, many homes become hot, stuffy and uncomfortable.
The Solution:
Opening windows isn’t always practical – especially in noisy urban areas or where outdoor air quality is poor. While air conditioning might seem like the obvious fix, it’s expensive to run, energy-inefficient and doesn’t align with the UK’s net-zero goals.
That’s where Nilan’s reversible heat pump systems provide a smarter, more sustainable solution. Designed for both heating and cooling, these compact units use mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) to maintain a steady indoor temperature and supply fresh, filtered air.
In summer, Nilan systems offer gentle, efficient cooling without the environmental cost of traditional AC. When temperatures drop, they seamlessly switch to heating. The result? A consistently comfortable home, all year round.
The Nilan unit is made even more efficient through its ability to recover and reuse energy. During cooling mode, the heat pump extracts excess heat from incoming air and then transfers that energy into the domestic hot water cylinder. This process results in free hot water while cooling, improving total system efficiency and turning waste energy into a usable resource.
Of course, the most effective approach to home comfort combines smart technology with smart design. Nilan’s systems work at their best when paired with thoughtful, passive design principles such as optimal window placement, solar shading, high-performance glazing and strategic ventilation. Together, these elements reduce the need for active cooling and create a more comfortable, energy-efficient environment. It’s not about choosing one or the other – it’s about creating homes where intelligent design and advanced technology complement each other, delivering lasting comfort, performance and climate resilience.
Whether you’re retrofitting an older property or designing a low-energy new build, Nilan offers a future-ready solution for every home. With the UK’s climate becoming more unpredictable, now is the time to invest in smart systems that actively support healthy, sustainable living, no matter the season.
