HVAC / AIR QUALITY PLOTTING PATHWAYS TO NET ZERO
As businesses prioritise improved building operational efficiency to meet sustainability targets, reducing the carbon intensity of heat is a natural starting point in existing buildings. But this is not always straightforward. With heat pumps one of the favoured solutions, what steps can FMs take to ensure optimal outcomes from this technology, asks Anne Wraith, Head of Building Services at Baxi.
Some 30% of total UK emissions are linked to the built environment, according to the latest government figures, with 23% of emissions due to heat in buildings. Taking immediate action to reduce the carbon intensity of heat is therefore vital if we are to achieve our 2050 net zero ambition and reduce the impact of climate change.
Heat pumps, which offer a potential efficiency as high as 400%, are widely regarded as one of the favoured technologies to decarbonise heating and hot water in buildings. We see air source heat pumps (ASHP) as the most popular and cost-effective choice and are pleased to be offering both high and low temperature ASHPs as part of our Remeha heat pump range.
Getting heat-pump ready But here’s the caveat – heat pumps are not a panacea for decarbonisation. On every refurbishment project, there will be a number of constraints including time, budget, available power and physical space. Even when considering high temperature ASHPs, which can be more easily retrofitted on a traditional heating system requiring high water temperature, a series of adaptations – most likely carried out in stages – will typically be needed to achieve the most efficient system.
“Heat pumps, which offer a potential efficiency as high as 400%, are widely regarded as one of the favoured technologies to decarbonise heating and hot water in buildings.”
For this reason, it’s advisable to work with manufacturers to identify the immediate, medium and long-term goals, as well as the available time to complete the work, the budget and any funding opportunities. This will make it possible to plan out an achievable, phased approach to refurbishment.
Plotting a pathway to net zero will also help FMs with forward budgeting. And regardless of where you are on the net zero journey, each step will make a difference as
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the immediate carbon savings will continue to be saved for years into the future.
With that in mind, let’s consider the various stages for heat pump success.
Reduce energy usage and heat losses The first consideration when addressing existing buildings should always be to drive down energy usage and energy losses. Energy efficiency is absolutely critical to reducing emissions, especially when dealing with existing buildings. The cleanest – and cheapest – kWh of energy is, after all, the one you don’t use.
Implementing passive measures such as roof and wall insulation, draught proofing and improving the thermal performance of windows and doors will reduce heat losses and energy usage, delivering an immediate impact on a building’s energy consumption and heating bills.
Understand the building profile Develop an energy consumption profile of the building. Data can be gathered through analysis of energy bills or meter readings, as well as by measuring real flow rates in different places and conditions over a given time.
Energy usage patterns will show the peaks in heating and domestic hot water usage and how it compares to the current plant and heat emitter sizing. So while it might not be feasible to replace all existing gas boilers with heat pumps, the data will help you understand where the savings can be made.
For example, if the energy data reveals that air handling units (AHU) are accounting for a sizeable proportion of the heating load, one option might be to bracket the space heating system. Modular AHUs are generally served by a separate CT circuit and have coils that are relatively easy to swap from high to low temperature (access issues aside). Using heat pumps to help decarbonise a considerable part of the heating demand would be a valuable step towards improved sustainability.
Energy-efficient system Higher than expected energy consumption in buildings is often due to issues with building management systems and controls, so this is an area where quick-win energy and emissions savings can often be made.
If the immediate goal is to maintain efficient building operation with minimal disruption, upgrading ageing plant
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