HEATING, VENTILATION & SERVICES FOCUS
The future of green space heating
As the nation strives towards hitting net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the Heat ump Association outlines the benefits and considerations for adopting heat pumps in our homes, and looks at current Government incentives
H
eat pumps are becoming increasingly popular in UK homes, providing a sustainable, efficient
and cost-effective heating solution. With the pressing mandate to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and the Government’s ambitious target of installing 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028, these systems are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for new-build heating. To facilitate this transition, the
government has introduced the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), offering grants of £5,000 for air source heat pumps and £6,000 for ground source heat pumps in England and Wales. The BUS is available for self-build homes provided they are primarily constructed by the first owner’s labour or resources and that they have never been owned by a business or organisation.
For those considering a heat pump, several crucial factors require consideration. One is the installation cost, which typically encompasses unit installation, necessary groundwork, the hot water cylinder, ancillary components, and labour. It is advisable to solicit quotes from multiple installers and ensure they hold Microgeneration Certification Scheme MCS certification if wishing to benefit from the BUS grant. MCS is an independent accreditation body that verifies the installer is technically competent and that the heat pump they choose to install meets certain product standards. Different systems require different considerations. Ground source heat pumps have a higher upfront cost due to the groundwork required for boreholes or slinky coils. Compared to air source heat pumps, these systems can achieve slightly higher efficiencies but also require more space. Larger heat pump systems will cost more so it is important that the heat loss of the home is minimised so that the optimum capacity
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network operator (DNO) before installing a heat pump. The DNO is the company responsible for bringing electricity from the network to your home and usually, your chosen installer will help you to apply.
heat pump can be selected to avoid unnecessarily high capital costs and provide the most efficient heating system for the size and of the property. Heat pumps operate at efficiencies of 300-400% and are a great option for homeowners wanting to create environmentally friendly homes. Recent studies also suggest heat pumps will increase the value of the property. Rather than burning fossil fuels like a typical gas, or oil boiler, heat pumps transfer low-grade heat from the outdoor air or ground, and step up the temperature via a refrigeration and compressor circuit to deliver warm water for your heating and hot water system. Properly sized and installed heat pumps are highly efficient and offer reduced energy consumption, improve air quality and diminish reliance on fossil fuels. For those who might otherwise have an oil or LPG boiler, a heat pump means no unsightly fuel tank, or arranging fuel deliveries in the depths of winter.
Another consideration that you as a self-builder will likely be contemplating is planning regulations. In many cases, the installation of a heat pump is considered as permitted development provided certain size and siting limitations and other conditions are met. If you live in a conservation area, then further requirements might apply. The regulations vary in each devolved nation, so it’s best to check with your local planning department before proceeding. You should also inform your local district
A common misconception of heat pumps is that they are noisy. Ultimately, the perceived noise will depend on the heat pump running conditions, the acoustic environment, and the quality of the external unit. Ground and water source heat pumps are typically located inside your home in an insulated casing which limits any noise intrusion. An air source heat pump outdoor unit typically has Sound Power levels between 55 - 75 dB(A) depending on the manufacturer and capacity. However, some external units operate as low as 40 decibels. For comparison, this is about the same as a quiet library! The running noise from an air source heat pump can be described as a low-level background ‘hum’. All installers are required to carry out a noise assessment prior to installation of an air-source heat pump. Once you have chosen your installer you may want to ask detailed practical questions about how long the installation will take, if you may benefit from changing electricity supplier to access a more favourable time of use tariff, and understand the heat pump servicing intervals. Another key question is whether the chosen installer can self- certify that the heat pump installation meets the Building Regulations. They will be able to do this if part of a competent person scheme. Looking ahead to the future and considering the UK’s legally binding net zero targets it is clear that taking steps to optimise the energy efficiency of your property will futureproof your investment, as well as reduce your carbon footprint.
Article by The Heat Pump Association
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