BESS Battery Storage and Renewable Heating:

The role of renewable heating and battery storage

The transition to low-carbon energy isn’t just a national ambition - it’s a practical necessity for housing providers, local authorities, and organisations managing public buildings. With heating still responsible for a large share of the UK’s energy consumption and emissions, finding more sustainable ways to warm our homes and communal spaces is a critical step towards achieving the UK government's ambitious Net Zero targets by 2050. 

Technologies like air and ground source heat pumps are already playing a central role in the move away from fossil fuel heating. But to deliver consistent performance, especially in environments with varying energy demands, they’re increasingly supported by Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). These smart storage solutions allow energy to be saved and used more efficiently, helping to maximise the cost efficiency of renewable installations. 

At Sureserve, our energy services deliver trusted low-carbon heating, insulation and whole-house decarbonisation solutions for social housing and public buildings that support this shift - from Renewable Heating and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to Decarbonisation and Retrofit Consultancy - tailored to the needs of domestic, commercial and public buildings. 

In this article, we explore how renewable heating and battery storage work together to deliver more efficient, resilient, and future-ready energy strategies - and how Sureserve supports clients in putting them into practice. 

What is renewable heating? 

Renewable heating systems use naturally available energy – such as warmth from the air, ground or sun – to heat buildings efficiently and sustainably. Unlike traditional systems that burn fossil fuels, these technologies capture existing heat from the environment and transfer it into the home, helping to cut carbon emissions and reduce long-term running costs. 

The most widely use systems include:

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs):

These draw heat from the outside air and compress it to provide space heating and hot water. They’re effective even in colder temperatures and well-suited to a wide range of properties. When used efficiently, ASHPs can reduce carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to a gas boiler, lower annual bills by around £100, and operate at over three times the efficiency of an electric storage heater or fossil fuelled boiler.

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs):

These systems work in a similar way to ASHP but absorb heat from the ground via a network of underground pipework. They’re highly efficient and ideal for properties with outdoor space or shared infrastructure. According to Kensa – the UK’s leading manufacturer and installer of ground source systems – a typical GSHP can deliver 3 to 4 kilowatts of heat for every 1 kilowatt of electricity used. With efficiencies of around 300% to 400% and above, they’re one of the most effective ways to decarbonise heating in residential and communal buildings. 

Solar thermal systems:

These use solar panels to collect heat from the sun and transfer it into a building’s hot water system. Often used alongside other heating technologies, they help reduce demand on primary systems and improve overall energy efficiency. According to Worcester Bosch, solar thermal panels can supply up to 90% of a home’s hot water during the summer months. Across the year, the Energy Saving Trust estimates they typically provide around 50% of domestic hot water needs. The actual figures would depend on the size and location of the solar collectors. 

For housing providers, local authorities and retrofit partners, renewable heating offers a clear route to improved EPC ratings, reduced emissions and better energy performance across housing stock. When delivered as part of a wider decarbonisation strategy, these systems don’t just support compliance – they contribute to healthier homes, lower bills, and long-term energy security for residents. 

What is BESS? 

What does BESS stand for? 

BESS stands for Battery Energy Storage System. These systems are designed to store electricity - often generated from renewable sources - so it can be used when it’s needed most. Whether powering homes, heating systems or communal infrastructure, BESS offers a way to manage energy more intelligently and efficiently. 

How BESS works 

Battery storage captures surplus electricity and holds it until it’s required; for example, during periods of high demand, grid pressure, or when on-site renewable generation dips. 

Energy can come from a range of sources, including solar panels, wind turbines, or even off-peak grid supply. Once stored, the battery releases the power when it’s most valuable - helping to reduce energy bills, balance demand, and support a more stable, resilient supply. 

Behind the scenes, built-in software manages how and when energy is released. This allows BESS to respond dynamically to demand and ensure buildings are using the cleanest, most cost-effective energy available at any given time. 

Benefits of BESS 

Battery storage plays a growing role in future-ready energy systems, especially when used alongside electric forms of renewable heating like heat pumps. The key benefits include: 

• Greater energy control – manage when and how energy is used across a site or building 

• Cost savings – reduce reliance on peak grid tariffs by using stored energy instead 

• Improved efficiency – make better use of locally generated renewable energy 

• Energy resilience – provide backup during outages or low-generation periods 

• Support for decarbonisation – help organisations reduce carbon and move away from fossil fuel reliance.

Why the combination of BESS and renewable heating matters 

Renewable heating and battery storage systems are powerful on their own - but when integrated, they deliver even greater value. For housing providers, local authorities and commercial property managers, this combined approach can support deeper carbon reductions, smarter energy use, and long-term cost efficiencies. 

One of the main challenges with renewable systems is variability. Heat pumps, for example, use electricity; while they’re significantly more efficient than traditional boilers, their carbon emissions and cost to run will vary depending on where the electricity they use comes from. That’s where Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) come into their own. 

By storing low-cost or locally generated energy, BESS ensures there’s always power available to support heating systems - even during peak demand or when renewable generation is low. This helps renewable heating technologies operate at their most efficient, without falling back on the grid at times of high cost or carbon intensity. 

For building operators, the result is greater flexibility and control. Stored energy can be used exactly when it’s needed, reducing strain on infrastructure, supporting more consistent performance, and helping to manage energy costs more effectively - all while driving progress towards net zero. 

Crucially, this joined-up approach builds resilience. In settings where heating is critical, such as supported housing, care environments or high-density housing blocks, having stored energy available ensures consistent service and protects resident wellbeing. 

Real-World Application in Social Housing and Public Buildings 

Renewable heating and battery storage aren’t just future technologies – they’re already making a measurable difference in homes and communities across the UK. For housing associations, local authorities and organisations managing public buildings, this combined approach offers a practical, scalable way to reduce emissions and improve energy performance. 

One of the key benefits is flexibility. Whether retrofitting a single property or planning estate-wide upgrades, renewable heating systems can be tailored to meet specific building needs, and, when paired with BESS, those systems become even more efficient. By storing excess energy and releasing it when demand is high, BESS allows organisations to better manage usage across multiple units or communal facilities. 

In older housing stock or energy-inefficient buildings, this integrated approach provides a clear route to improvement. It supports better EPC ratings, reduces fuel poverty risk, and creates warmer, more comfortable living environments – all while cutting carbon at scale. 

A recent example is Sureserve’s work with South Lakes Housing in Cumbria, where 367 homes received a range of whole-house energy upgrades as part of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 2.1. The project delivered over 500 individual measures - including solar PV systems, cavity wall insulation, energy-efficient lighting and improved ventilation - all delivered in line with PAS 2035 standards, which ensure a whole-house, fabric-first approach to retrofit. These improvements are already helping residents reduce energy use, lower their bills, and enjoy more comfortable, better-ventilated living environments. 

Richard Hayes, Director of Homes at South Lakes Housing, said:  

“We are delighted to have successfully achieved and exceeded our delivery target in the first year of such an important project. Increasing the energy efficiency performance of our homes, five years ahead of legislation, is a key achievement in our goal as a sustainable social landlord.” 

And because these systems are modular and data-driven, they support ongoing optimisation. Energy use can be monitored, adjusted, and refined over time, giving estate teams and asset managers the tools they need to make smarter, more informed decisions. 

Now, under the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3, successful social housing landlords, including local authorities and housing associations, continue to drive these improvements forward.

At Sureserve Energy Services, our work is grounded in this kind of real-world impact. We collaborate with clients to deliver integrated energy solutions that meet today’s challenges – and help futureproof buildings for the long term. 

BESS and renewable heating: A smarter path to net zero 

The path to net zero requires more than one solution - and for many organisations, it starts with the way buildings are heated and powered. Renewable heating systems and battery storage offer a joined-up approach that improves efficiency, lowers emissions and delivers long-term value. 

By combining these technologies, housing providers and public sector clients can take greater control of their energy use, reduce operating costs, and create warmer, more sustainable homes and buildings. 

At Sureserve, we specialise in delivering integrated low-carbon solutions across domestic, commercial and communal settings. If you’re planning a decarbonisation project or exploring ways to improve energy performance, we’re here to help. 

For more information about the services Sureserve offer, click here. 

If you'd like to discuss how Sureserve can support your energy efficiency projects with expert advice and guidance, please get in touch.