AN energy firm based in the Bradford district is aiming to ease the impact of higher gas prices for customers using innovative new technology it has created.

Switch2 Energy, based in The Waterfront in Shipley, has designed and manufactured a new ICON connected heat interface unit which could save customers hundreds of pounds.

The system, just unveiled by the heat networks improvement specialists, aims to improve the efficiency of heat networks used by housing providers by up to 35 per cent.

As well as saving large sums of money, it also reduces carbon emissions by as much as 40 per cent.

The new system has been launched at just the right time, with tens of thousands of households across Bradford and millions across the country facing a huge hike of almost £700 in their energy bills when the energy price cap goes up in April.

Even with a Government loan to energy firms and Council Tax rebates which the Government says will "take the sting" out of the rising prices, households still face a sharp rise in their heating bills, with many already paying exorbitant amounts.

Richard Harrison, chief executive of Switch2 Energy, said it new invention will help make "dramatic cost savings".

He said: "Soaring wholesale gas prices mean residents on heat networks are facing much higher energy costs.

"Our ICON HIU is taking efficient heat network operation to the next level. We're helping operators to achieve dramatic cost and carbon savings so that they can keep energy bills as low as possible and work towards net zero goals."

The new ICON connected heat interface unit is similar to conventional individual gas boilers, but instead of converting the mains gas into heat, they link with a central energy centre to create hot water and heating or cooling for each home connected to the heat network.

Mr Harrison added: “We are proud to lead on smart technology innovation and look forward to helping more operators to deliver greener, high efficiency, lower cost new generation district and community heating schemes."

The ICON HIU is aimed at landlords to make heating their homes for residents cheaper and greener. It can be electronically controlled and monitored, allowing maintenance and adjustments to be done remotely, and can be controlled simply and quickly using just a smartphone.

Landlords who are interested in installing an ICON HIU in their properties are urged to contact Trevor Ralph at Switch2 Energy.

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