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Wilson Energy Launches New PM Controller for HIUs

WilSon Energy has added a new hydraulic proportional measurement (PM) valve to its spare parts portfolio, as it looks to plug a two-year gap in market supply.

An integral part of heating interface unit (HIU) structure, the PM valve is designed to divert all primary heat to the domestic hot water side of the system, providing the end user with a fast and efficient hot water supply. WilSon Energy worked directly with the manufacturer to commission a valve which fits most types of unit and will be deployed in WilSon’s new own range of HIUs.

The launch is significant, as it will reduce costs and maximise energy efficiency for end customers. Due to a shortage in supply, plumbing and heating engineers have had to refurbish existing valves where possible, or even replace entire HIUs, costing time and money.

Andy Wilkinson, CEO at WilSon Energy, said: “Along with the rest of the sector, we have experienced a growing frustration with lack of product availability, which is why we took the initiative to commission a new alternative PM valve.

“Three variations of new valve are available, with a single valve able to handle both heating and sanitary functions, manufactured using 100% lead free brass. It incorporates a rotatable heating sleeve for setting different flow rates, as well as an integral 3-fold water-free ‘O’ ring seal which ensures separation of the sanitary and heating functions, providing a significant improvement over previous options.

“Working directly with the manufacturer on the valve’s design has given us the opportunity to include some additional technical features to bring the previous version up to date. We’re looking forward to meeting demand by providing installers with a modern and versatile product that will boost efficiency and service, providing benefits to everyone.”

The hydraulic PM valves offer solutions for HIU parts replacement in KaMo, KVM Energy, Delta Systemtechnik, Meibes, Danfoss-Redan, Flamco, Taconova and many more HIU systems.

The PM valve is available to pre-order from our spare parts online shop, visit: https://wilsonenergy.co.uk/product-category/spare-parts/.

For more information about WilSon Energy’s services, visit: https://wilsonenergy.co.uk/.

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Getting smart and staying in control with Pay as You Go metering

Private landlords, residents and local authorities are all continuing to realise the benefits SMART Pay as You Go metering delivers in controlling energy costs and safeguarding payments. Andy Wilkinson, CEO of Wilson Energy, explains how the leading provider of fully integrated heating, metering, pre-payment and billing and bureau services has been helping customers to reap the rewards of making the switch.

With interest rates rocketing and energy costs spiralling, private landlords and housing associations have had to navigate the complex challenges of reducing infrastructure costs while mitigating risks of defaults on electricity payments by tenants. Add poor energy tariffs from utility suppliers and customer complaints into the mix and it’s easy to understand why many customers are switching to end-to-end solutions to combat these problems.

Spotlight on sub metering

As one of the UK’s leading suppliers of SMART metering systems WilSon Energy specialises in secondary, sub-metering installations for all types of applications, supporting landlords across the property sector. Our customers range from holiday park operators, HMO landlords, buy to let and student accommodation landlords to private owners and social housing facilities, but all of them benefit from the same service; Pay as You Go metering that is revolutionising the sector by providing security, peace of mind and convenience of upfront payments.

Sub metering works where a customer wants to share an existing (metered) main electricity or water supply with others. Inexpensive to install, they can be set up using much of the existing infrastructure and without running new supply cables, cutting down costs of up to 50 per cent in a well-wired property. Landlords and business owners can also pass on these costs as a ‘service charge’ through the SMART meter’s built-in Fixed Weekly Charge facility to ensure they are not losing money.

A flexible solution for landlord and tenant

Versatility is a key benefit of Pay as You Go private electricity network services. Suitable for new build developments from the start, it can also be retrofitted into private network properties where the existing metering supply is on a post-pay basis and implemented into an HMO house conversion or into three or four separate flats. Apart from a few initial set-up costs, the service is cost neutral, saving customers time and money.

By providing an end-to-end solution and managing the full metering and billing process, property managers are provided with a fully automated system and accurate energy consumption data and billing. However, landlords aren’t the only people to benefit; tenants can set a budget and also take advantage of tariffs that are better than they would get from traditional pre-pay meters, as the energy price is generally lower. Top ups are quick and easy. Smart meters can be topped up in shops, online or from a smartphone using a dedicated App for added efficiency that keeps tenants in control of their utilities.

Committed to customer service excellence

WilSon Energy’s dedicated UK pay-as-you-go team manages customers, facilitates payments and handles all technical and payment queries, but we also have a weather eye on the future. Our energy procurement team can offer a service to identify that a main supply is being billed correctly and claim back any incorrect charges as well as finding the the best deal when a contract is up for renewal.

By managing the whole process, including meter supply, installation and commissioning by our trained engineers, data collection, pay-as-you-go management service and transfer of funds, we can do the heavy lifting so our customers can focus on the day job.

For more information about WilSon Energy’s end-to-end utility metering services, visit: https://wilsonenergy.co.uk/.

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WilSon Energy Wins Utilities Contract for Stylish Residential Development

WilSon Energy has been appointed to install metering on the water and electricity supplies at Consort House, a prestigious new residential development in Doncaster. In addition to creating a private electricity network, WilSon Energy’s billing and bureau team will carry out remote data collection and utility billing.

A leading UK developer is spearheading the project to convert the former office building in Doncaster’s Civic Quarter into 70 stylish single-bedroom apartments built over their own private parking level. Built to the highest standards, the five-storey development supports Doncaster’s ambitious £300 million urban regeneration plans to attract new investment and improve residents’ quality of life.

The main developer awarded WilSon Energy the contract by to create a private electricity network and supply, install and commission smart metering for each of the properties. The team has also installed commercial electricity metering to monitor the consumption of the mobile telephone masts, adjacent estate agents’ office and new commercial retail unit.

Having surveyed the site and its electrical infrastructure, WilSon Energy identified scope for further electrical requirements. These included alterations to the car park lighting to accommodate a new electrical in-take room and the strip out and making all redundant electrical and data cables and equipment safe.

The team also supplied and installed the electrical containment from the new incoming position, provided a new 400amp switch fuse isolator, installed a new select panel and connected all riser supplies. Finally, a new landlord’s distribution board was installed and cables connected and the team supplied and installed new supplies to pick up various existing and reused distribution equipment.

Andy Wilkinson, CEO at Wilson Energy, said: “It’s great to win another contact within the residential space, and we’re pleased that we’ll be working together with the management and maintenance teams on an ongoing basis.”

“With each property having its own smart metering system, our billing and bureau team will be able to retrieve and analyse accurate data relating to water and electricity usage that will better inform residents of their utility spend and help to manage their expectations.”

WilSon Energy has also been contracted by the scheme’s property management representatives to provide billing and bureau services to residents, once the properties are occupied.

For more information about how WilSon Energy can support electricity and water supply and smart metering in residential developments, visit https://wilsonenergy.co.uk/about-wilson-energy-2/

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WilSon Energy Launches Online Store for HIU Spare Parts & Metering

As a leading provider of fully integrated Heating, Metering, Pre-Payment and Billing & Bureau Services for residential homes and commercial developments, WilSon Energy has launched an online store for genuine heating interface unit (HIU) spare and replacement parts.

Featuring over 100 products, the online store covers the full spectrum of spare and replacement parts required for WilSon’s range of KaMo and KVM Energy heat interface units, as well as multi-utility metering. The online store will soon be updated to also include spare parts for other third-party HIU’s.

The new site is ideal for plumbing and heating contractors, engineers, installers and maintenance teams looking for spares to manage and maintain Heat Networks and District Heating systems, underfloor heating systems and utility metering, including both Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and Smart metering systems.

Andy Wilkinson, CEO at WilSon Energy, said: “Our online shop offers a one stop solution for sourcing HIUs and genuine spare parts. Backed up by years of commissioning and installation experience, we wanted to be able to provide a complete service for plumbing and heating contractors, heating installers and M&E contractors – supporting them when out on jobs, whilst giving value for money.

“We know there are stockists out there that are making extortionate mark ups and charging people over the odds for parts. For example, an Actuator costs £42.57 with WilSon Energy and other sites are charging £85.60 for the same item. We want people to know that we offer an alternative source of genuine spare and replacement parts from leading manufacturers at competitive prices.

“WilSon Energy engineers understand that availability of the right part for the job is essential when out on site. We’ve invested in this online store to offer the right product knowledge coupled with quality and reliable service and competitive pricing to all our customers.”

The website is simple to navigate, easy to search by product or category and has a full range of approved spare parts in stock, offering next working delivery on all orders before 2pm.

For more information about WilSon Energy’s online store and complete heating, metering and billing solutions visit: https://wilsonenergy.co.uk/.

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Residential Heating, Cooling and Smart Metering Commission Completed at King’s Cross Triangle

WilSon Energy has recently completed another project for a large residential and commercial development at The Triangle in London. The supply and commissioning of heating and cooling interface units, plus smart metering systems, is the latest project to add to WilSon’s already comprehensive portfolio of specialist heating and metering solutions across Related Argent’s Kings Cross estate.

The Triangle is a new mixed-use development which houses 218 apartments and a mix of retail, social and cultural functions as well as a community ecology garden. It forms part of the works immediately surrounding London’s King’s Cross station. The residential units include 140 open market and 78 social rented apartments.

Working for the on-site mechanical and electrical contractor, WilSon Energy, who was specified by the main client, has supplied cutting-edge heating and domestic hot water heat interface units (HIUs) to the 218 apartments, as well as 182 cooling interface units (CIUs) to work with the fan coil units for the open market properties.

Working on the phased project, the units were shipped to Dutypoint to install into purpose built prefabricated utility pods, prior shipping to site.

The HIU’s are equipped with Kamstrup 403 heating and cooling meters and WilSon’s patented designed smart metering system. This offers ‘pay as you go’ option or can be operated on a credit billing basis.  With the smart metering system, property managers benefit from receiving 15-minute data, automatically sent to their systems, to manage services and resident queries

Andy Wilkinson, CEO of WilSon Energy, commented: “HIU commissioning is very specialised due to the fact these units are complex systems responsible for transferring heat from a central heating source to individual dwellings. They require specific knowledge and training due to their individual components, including heat exchangers, pumps, valves, and their controls which need to be set to achieve optimum performance.

“On this project WilSon Energy engineers carried out full commissioning of the HIU and CIU units, working to the main client’s specification, as well as the metering system, which now integrates with the site-wide platform.

“The WilSon Energy team also worked in conjunction with the site’s appointed commissioning contractor to ensure compliance with the checklist issued by appointed energy consultants, Fairheat.”

For more information about WilSon Energy’s heating, cooling, smart metering and billing services, visit: https://wilsonenergy.co.uk/about-wilson-energy-2/.

For more information about WilSon Energy’s metering and billing services, visit www.wilsonenergy.co.uk.

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WilSon Energy wins next-generation heating contract

WilSon Energy, a leading provider of fully integrated heating, metering, pre-payment and billing and bureau services, has been re-appointed to upgrade and manage the heating network for 36 residential properties in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

Originally funded through the British Gas Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) in 2015, WilSon was contracted to supply heat interface units (HIU) and a smart heat energy pay-as-you-go system at Summer Court, for a localised heat station with modular gas boilers and combined heat and power (CHP).

WilSon was initially appointed by the maintenance contractor to supply, install and operate the new next-generation pay-as-you go heating system across all 36 low rise properties. The client was so impressed with the initial installation, that they have re-appointed WilSon Energy in 2024 as the contracted the heating specialist to carry out and manage the upgrade.

Following the project’s success, Dacorum Borough Council has contracted WilSon to manage the system on an ongoing basis.

Andy Wilkinson, CEO at WilSon Energy, said: “Having worked with the client in 2015, we were pleased to support them with the new heating system upgrade. As a leading energy specialist, we are adept at supplying the best solution to meet our clients’ ongoing utility, needs and we are proud that our clients continue to recognise this.”

For more information about WilSon Energy’s metering and billing services, visit www.wilsonenergy.co.uk.

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WilSon Energy Appointed to Boost Utilities at Ultra-Modern Residential Development

Integrated heating and billing solutions specialists, WilSon Energy has been appointed to improve the electricity supply and manage metering at Globe Works Mill, a new residential development in Bolton town centre. The Wilson Energy team will provide a private electricity network, smart metering and billing services.

The scheme, being regenerated by a leading UK developer, is a former mill which was rebuilt in 1929 and served a variety of industrial purposes throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries.

Now, the site is being converted into 150, ultra-modern, high specification residential apartments with a mixture of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom properties, aimed at a growing professional market. The development will feature a reception and concierge service and conserve the building’s heritage, by making extensive use of copper fixtures and exposed brickwork.

Given its heritage, the existing electricity supply network has insufficient capacity for the 150 apartments. WilSon Energy has been awarded the contract by the main developer to create a private electricity network and supply, install and commission its own smart metering solution.

The build program will consist of three phases, with each phase of properties being sold or rented on completion.

Having surveyed the site and the electrical infrastructure, the main electrical contractor has installed individual switched fused isolators for each apartment with meter tails, ensuring that meter installation time will be straight forward and time efficient, supporting the overall build programme timeline.

Globe Electrical Switch

Andy Wilkinson, CEO at WilSon Energy said: “Our engineers will be deploying individual MID approved (billing standard) single phase electricity meters, each operating with a SIM card on GSM, to transfer automated data to our servers.

“As each of the apartments will have an electrical heating system via panel heaters and an electrical water storage facility, the detailed data retrieved from the meters will assist, not only for the billing, but for energy analysis and to help manage customer queries.”

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WilSon Energy has also been contracted by the scheme’s property management representatives to provide billing and bureau services to residents, once the properties are occupied.

For more information about how WilSon Energy can support electricity supply and smart metering in residential developments, visit: https://wilsonenergy.co.uk/about-wilson-energy-2/.

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WilSon Energy Creates New Energy Wave for Cornish Residents

WilSon Energy, a leading provider of fully integrated heating, metering, prepayment and billing and bureau services for residential and commercial properties, has been appointed to upgrade and manage utility meters within an exclusive Cornish development.

The development, called Cribbar, is located in an upmarket area of Newquay and comprises 14 properties, including both permanent residences and Airbnb-managed holiday lets.

The development initially had utility meters installed on a private network to monitor cold water, heat energy and domestic hot water for each dwelling. However, the client was experiencing issues with meter readings, leading to inaccurate energy billing for residents.

WilSon Energy conducted a survey that identified various issues, including the incorrect installation of the heat and hot water energy meters. The associated temperature sensors had also been stuffed inside the piping lagging and taped, rather than being installed correctly within the pipework’s designated sensor pockets.

To rectify these issues, Wilson Energy replaced all of the meters, installed data collection equipment and commissioned the system. New meters were also installed to monitor energy usage in the plant room and adjacent surf shop. Since installation, Wilson Energy has been collecting data from the main incoming gas meter and bulk heat meter, so they have a full audit of the entire system to identify communal usage and system losses.

All of these measures have drastically improved the accuracy of the meter readings and subsequent tenant billing and, as testament to the success of the new partnership, Wilson Energy has been awarded all subsequent billing and bureau services.

Andy Wilkinson, Managing Director at WilSon Energy, said: “This type of remedial work is, unfortunately, all too common. We always follow best practice across all of our services to ensure that developers, landlords and tenants benefit from the best outcome for their energy usage.

“We were pleased we could step in to fix the issues being experienced at Cribbar and deliver value back by improving their systems and ensuring all tenants receive accurate billing.”

For more information about WilSon Energy’s private energy networks and smart metering services, visit: https://wilsonenergy.co.uk/.

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Wilson Energy troubleshoots energy system for residential development

WilSon Energy, a leading provider of fully integrated Heating, Metering, Pre-Payment and Billing & Bureau Services, has been commissioned to carry out a full audit of the heat network system and private wire electricity network for commercial supplies and 48 residential retirement properties in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

WilSon Energy supplied the heat interface units (HIU) and metering for Lace Housing, a development catering for over 55s with supported living, back in 2010. However, since installation, the system had not been regularly managed or maintained in house, except for a few ad hoc purchases of spare parts, so had become dormant, reducing its efficiency and causing poor quality water.

Recently new staff members have joined the client team and have a new vision for the development. WilSon Energy has been appointed to support them in auditing and updating the heating system, eliminating water quality issues and improving metering and billing.

Andy Wilkinson, CEO at WilSon Energy, said: “Having previously worked with the client in 2010, we were pleased that we could step in to rectify some of the issues they were experiencing.

“Residents were complaining that their apartments were too hot because of heat gain from the HIU. We found that insulation jackets covering the complete HIU were effective, yet heat trapped within the unit was causing components to prematurely fail.

“They were also experiencing issues with a lack of transparency around metering information, billing details and could not access charging and consumption data for heating, hot water and electrical energy usage. Approximately 80% of the heat energy meters installed had error codes, so were not recording consumption. Many tenants had previously complained about incorrect bills and queried energy usage, while the management team was finding it difficult to manage billing.”

Under the contract, WilSon Energy has conducted an initial site survey, which highlighted various issues, including system data collection, monitoring and component failure. In addition, there was air circulating within the system which was causing alarms on the heat energy meters.

Andy Wilkinson continues: “Having identified metering and data transmission issues, we installed a new data collection device and rectified existing faults to ensure 100% data accuracy across the network of water, electricity and heat. The team has also replaced numerous components and came up with a solution for the heat gain issue so by upgrading the HIUs to bring them up to modern standards, saving the client money.”

As well as managing the private energy network and smart meters, WilSon Energy will support the landlord with a complete meter monitoring, billing and bureau service and a customer excellence team.

A spokesperson from Lace Housing added: “With the previous system, we were not receiving data and had issues with incorrect billing, which had repercussions for our residents.

“WilSon Energy has been pivotal in eradicating these issues by providing technical support and recommendations on reducing our costs while supporting our tenants with accurate readings and more transparent billing.”

Andy concludes: “Monitoring energy consumption and data accurately is vital to ensuring systems operate efficiently and tenants are assured of fair utility billing. In the current economic climate, we were pleased that we could replace components in the most cost-effective way, while supporting the management team with our unrivalled customer service.

“Now that the project is back on track, our key focus is to assist on managing and maintaining the system and offering the best advice, so the commercial client gets the maximum return on their investment.”

For more information about WilSon Energy’s private energy networks and smart metering services, visit: https://wilsonenergy.co.uk/.

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WilSon Energy Helps Double the Size of Wick’s Community Heating Scheme

As a leading provider of fully integrated heating, metering, pre-payment and billing and bureau services for residential homes and commercial developments, WilSon Energy has helped to reducing fuel costs for tenants and boost sustainability by doubling the size of a district heating system in a Scottish town.

The Wick District Heating Scheme is located in Wick, Caithness, in the Scottish Highlands. It uses woodchip to generate heat by combustion, supplying steam to Pulteney Distillery and heat to the local hospital and assembly rooms as well as heating to around 250 homes and public buildings in the area.

Initiated by the Highland Council, the original aim of the scheme was to provide heating and hot water services to 500 homes in the town in a sustainable and cost-effective way. Wick has a population of around 8,000 people and a high number of the residents in parts of the town had experienced fuel poverty in the years leading up to the establishment of this scheme.

A spokesperson from the Area Gas and Contractor administration team at The Highland Council said: “For some time, we have been considering ways to support sustainable power while easing the financial pressure on consumers and reducing fuel poverty. The roll-out of this heating network is strong evidence that this is achievable and we are pleased that our aims are being met in ways that benefits everyone.”

Ignis Wick Ltd now owns the Energy Centre and District Heating Scheme, having taken over from the Highland Council a decade ago. It is managed and operated on its behalf by FES Group has been supplying heat to homes using local woodchip, rather than burning oil since 2013.

The energy centre burns around 700 tonnes of locally sourced woodchip each month and the heat is then distributed through a 10.5km network of underground pipes.

WilSon Energy was initially awarded a contract in 2013 to support the conversion of customer meters to the district heating system for their water and heating. WilSon installed heat user interface units (HUIs) and smart pay as you go (PAYG) meters across 120 properties, replacing old gas boilers and installing the heat exchanger and smart meters so tenants could obtain individual bills for their energy usage.

These changes delivered tenants a more attractive rate for their energy, averaging out at around £500 per year for heating and hot water and helping to take people out of fuel poverty. The conversion also reduced the average price per unit from 10p per unit plus a 40p per day standing charge for gas to a flat 4.8p per unit.

Due to the success of the initial roll-out, WilSon Energy was awarded a new contract to expand the network further, by incorporating an extra 126 properties. This phase was launched in October 2022 and is ongoing with the last few units currently being installed over the next couple of months.

Harris Gilmore, Energy Centre Manager at FES Group, said: “Collaboration is key to delivering a successful project, and our partnership with WilSon Energy has been paramount to this positive outcome. This new phase of the project has delivered economic benefits to a wider section of the Wick community, ensuring more tenants benefit from lower fuel costs in the most environmentally-friendly way.”

The roll-out has benefited both Ignis Wick Ltd and tenants, as WilSon is also able to provide transparent billing information and data on energy consumption. Competitively-priced PAYG meters, reduced tariff costs allowing for direct debits and pay as you go options to help tenants manage their energy costs more efficiently and put them in control.

Andy Wilkinson, Managing Director at WilSon Energy concludes: “We are proud of our growing reputation as a leading supplier of energy efficient solutions for commercial and residential clients and this latest project is testament to that. Reducing energy costs has never been more important, and this network is evidence of the tangible benefits district heat networks and community heating systems can deliver back to where it is needed most.”

Ignis Wick and the council are looking to further expand the scheme by onboarding further residential and commercial clients in the future.

For more information on WilSon Energy’s metering and billing services visit www.wilsonenergy.co.uk.