Low-Carbon Electric Heating & Hot Water for Large-Scale Residential Conversion
Project Overview
Plantation Wharf is a significant redevelopment project in London, transforming a former commercial office building into a high-quality residential scheme.
The development comprises:
- 46 one- and two-bedroom apartments
- 5 townhouses
The objective was to deliver a modern, energy-efficient living environment while working within the constraints of an existing structure – a common challenge in urban retrofit and conversion projects.
The Solution
Fischer Electric supplied a fully electric system combining advanced electric heating with heat pump-based hot water technology.
Heating: Fischer Tide Electric Radiators
The development was fitted with Fischer Tide electric radiators, designed specifically for efficient, responsive heating in residential environments.
Key features:
- Unique 40mm HeatCore technology
- Intelligent controls enabling room-by-room temperature management
- 100% efficient heating
- Straightforward installation – ideal for retrofit and conversion projects
- Minimal maintenance requirements
This made the Tide range particularly well suited to a project where installation flexibility and performance certainty were critical.
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The Challenge
Office-to-residential conversions require a different approach to building services. Key challenges included:
- Integrating heating systems into an existing building fabric
- Meeting updated energy performance expectations for residential use
- Eliminating reliance on gas infrastructure
- Providing efficient, controllable heating across multiple dwelling types
- Delivering reliable, low-carbon hot water at scale
The solution needed to be practical to install, cost-effective for developers, and aligned with evolving UK electrification and decarbonisation goals.
Hot Water: Haier Air Source Heat Pump Water Heater
Hot water demand was met using a Haier air source heat pump (ASHP) cylinder, providing an efficient alternative to traditional electric water heating.
Key benefits:
- Uses ambient air to generate hot water, significantly improving efficiency
- Lower running costs compared to standard electric cylinders
- Supports reduced carbon emissions in residential applications
- Designed for modern developments prioritising sustainability
The Outcome
The combined solution delivered strong performance across all key project metrics:
- EPC rating of C achieved across the development
- Fully electric system – eliminating the need for gas infrastructure
- Improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact
- Consistent, controllable comfort for residents
- Scalable solution across apartments and townhouses
Importantly, the system supports the growing shift toward electrified heating in UK residential developments, particularly in retrofit scenarios.
Why This Approach Worked
This project highlights the effectiveness of combining:
- Direct electric heating (for responsive, controllable space heating)
- Heat pump technology (for efficient hot water generation)
Together, this creates a balanced, practical low-carbon solution that avoids the complexity and cost often associated with full wet heating system retrofits.
Project Summary
| Project | Plantation Wharf, London |
| Type | Office-to-residential conversion |
| Units | 46 apartments + 5 townhouses |
| Heating | Fischer Tide electric radiators |
| Hot Water | Haier ASHP water heater |
| Energy Performance | EPC Rating C |
| System Type | Fully electric |
The Results
Plantation Wharf demonstrates how well-specified electric heating and heat pump hot water systems can successfully deliver efficient, compliant, and future-ready residential environments, even within the constraints of existing buildings.
As the UK continues to move away from fossil fuels, this type of solution offers a practical pathway to decarbonisation for developers, housing providers, and retrofit specialists alike.
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