HEATING, VENTILATION & SERVICES 67 PUMPED UP
John Morris of Grant UK dispels some of the common myths around heat pumps, which are currently being hailed as the key means of heating homes to comply with the Future Homes Standard.
towards achieving net zero in 2050, these figures are only going to grow. The Government has announced its ambitions, manufacturers are gearing up to meet demand, and householders are more aware than ever of the need to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. The recent Future Homes Standard
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industry consultation reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to heat pumps, targeting a 31% reduction in carbon emissions for all new homes to be achieved through improved building fabric and low carbon technologies. It was also confirmed that, from 2025, new homes were not to be reliant on fossil fuels for heating (such as natural gas). The Government also said that low carbon heating would be vital to specifica- tion for the Future Homes Standard, and that heat pumps would be the primary heating source used. More and more installers are now
completing heat pump training in the light of this, and adding the renewable technology to their business offering, thereby broadening their customer base. Similarly, more housebuilders and devel- opers are turning to heat pumps to provide a sustainable heating solution. Air source heat pump technology has
evolved significantly over recent years, and while an old heat pump of yesteryear may have had a poor reputation, today, heat pumps represent a reliable, low carbon heating solution which will play a major part in the future of the heating industry.
MYTHS Recent Government research has investigated the impact of the transition
HOUSEHOLDERS ARE MORE AWARE THAN EVER OF THE NEED TO REDUCE THEIR DEPENDENCE ON FOSSIL FUELS
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK
he number of air source heat pumps being installed is increasing year on year and, as we move
away from high carbon fossil fuel heating systems on 4,000 heating installers who work in areas of England and Wales that are not connected to the gas grid. It makes for interesting reading, and highlights the need for more education and training in the months and years ahead. One third of the installers surveyed said they currently install heat pumps, which is a great start and indicates that demand for the technology is rising. From the installers interviewed, those who do not install heat pumps were (perhaps under- standably) the most sceptical about low carbon technology. The perception from installers was that their customers would find them too expensive, and that consumers currently do not know enough about the benefits of heat pumps to request one, or agree to an offer to fit one from an installer.. The report found that installers who worked in areas with predominantly older housing stock perceived the lack of insulation as a limiting factor in a heat
pump’s suitability. The report suggests a need for greater installer training in identifying options for energy efficiency improvements, and optimising homes for heat pumps. Some installers surveyed also believed that heat pumps would not work efficiently during the winter months, despite evidence that heat pumps are able to comfortably operate at or below zero degrees Celsius. Looking at this research, there are clearly some myths to dispel.
MYTH 1: DEMAND IS LOW Homeowner interest in air source heat pumps is clearly growing, as consumers become increasingly aware of their impact on the environment and actively look at ways they can reduce their carbon footprint.
The Government’s Clean Growth Strategy is going to shape legislation that will move the market away from fossil fuels, driving homeowners’ transition from high carbon heating systems to more sustainable alternatives. Understanding and education on low
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