On a quiet street in Essex, something remarkable is happening behind the unassuming doors of a two-bedroom bungalow. Terrence Bridges, 76, and his wife Lesley, 75, have found themselves at the forefront of a heating revolution—one that is already making waves across the UK. After energy bills rose again on November 1, 2025, the couple decided it was time for a change. Their solution? Ditching their traditional gas boiler in favor of a HeatHub system that harnesses the warmth generated by a data centre in their garden shed.
According to BBC Essex, the Bridges have managed to slash their monthly heating costs from a staggering £375 to just £40. That’s a saving of £300—a sum that would catch anyone’s attention, especially those on a fixed income. But the couple’s story is about more than just saving money; it’s also about embracing innovation and environmental responsibility at a time when both are needed most.
The HeatHub system, created by Thermify under the UK Power Networks' Shield initiative, is a marvel of modern engineering. At its core are more than five hundred mini-computers housed in a compact data centre, quietly humming away in the couple’s garden. As these computers process data, they generate heat—lots of it. But instead of letting that warmth go to waste, the system captures it using oil, then transfers it directly to the household’s hot water and heating system. It’s a clever solution that turns the problem of energy-hungry data processing into an asset for home comfort.
Terrence Bridges couldn’t be more pleased with the results. “It truly is brilliant. I’m over the moon that we got picked to trial this out,” he told reporters, beaming with pride. “You can’t fault the heating system, it is a one hundred per cent improvement on what we had before.” His wife Lesley, who suffers from spinal stenosis and experiences severe pain when temperatures fall, has noticed the difference as well. “You don’t need to go to a sauna after coming here,” she joked, clearly delighted with the newfound warmth in their home.
The couple’s experience is not just a testament to the effectiveness of the technology, but also to its accessibility. The Shield initiative, as described on the UK Power Networks’ website, is “an ambitious initiative designed to make the transition to Net Zero more accessible for low-income residents, including those in social housing and other tenures who may not be able to afford to heat their homes or access low carbon technologies (LCTs).” By combining distributed data centres for heating with solar panels and battery storage, the project aims to intelligently balance energy supply and demand, making green technology available to those who need it most.
For the Bridges, the benefits are immediate and tangible. Their bungalow, once a source of worry as winter approached, is now a haven of comfort. Lesley’s health has improved thanks to the consistent warmth, and the couple no longer fears the arrival of their monthly energy bill. “I think it’s fantastic because it’s eco-friendly,” Terrence said. “We’re not burning any gases, so it’s green, it’s environmentally friendly.”
The environmental implications of the HeatHub system are significant. Traditional gas boilers are a major source of household carbon emissions, contributing to climate change and air pollution. By replacing their gas boiler with a data centre-based heating system, the Bridges have effectively eliminated a major source of fossil fuel use in their home. This shift not only helps the environment but also sets an example for others looking to make similar changes.
The story has captured the attention of national media, with GB News highlighting that the Bridges are the first in Britain to heat their home using data-processing technology. Their success demonstrates the potential of innovative solutions to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing households today: rising energy costs and the urgent need to reduce carbon footprints.
But how does it all work? The principle is surprisingly straightforward. Data centres—whether large or small—generate substantial amounts of heat as a byproduct of their operations. In most cases, this heat is simply vented away, lost to the environment. The HeatHub system, however, captures this heat using oil as a transfer medium, then channels it into the home’s heating and hot water system. The result is a steady, reliable source of warmth that doesn’t rely on burning gas or other fossil fuels.
As energy prices continue to climb across the UK, more and more households are searching for ways to cut costs without sacrificing comfort. The Bridges’ experience suggests that innovative technologies like the HeatHub could offer a way forward, especially for pensioners and those living on fixed incomes. The Shield initiative’s focus on low-income residents and social housing tenants ensures that these benefits aren’t limited to the wealthy or technologically savvy, but are available to those who need them most.
Of course, the technology is still in its early days, and the Bridges are among the first to trial the system. But their glowing reviews—and their dramatically reduced energy bills—suggest that the HeatHub has a bright future ahead. As Terrence and Lesley enjoy their warm, eco-friendly home, they serve as a reminder that even the most daunting challenges can be met with creativity and determination.
For now, their garden shed may look ordinary from the outside, but inside, it’s quietly powering a revolution—one that could change the way Britain heats its homes for generations to come.