BSEE
The Kensa Group has launched a funding and delivery package for new build properties that challenges the statusquo and paves the way for widespread deployment of ground source heat pumps in new build housing
D
espite the merits of ground source technology – the lowest running costs; very low CO2 emissions; low
maintenance costs; zero point of use particulate emissions; non- combustion and safe - deployment has been slower than expected because of the cost of providing the underground infrastructure, indeed according to BSRIA in 2017 just 11 of heat pumps installed were ground source heat pumps. Kensa’s offer of a zero cost
infrastructure to developers means that a ground source heat pump is now cheaper than an air source heat pump and in many cases, cheaper than a gas boiler system.
uDr Matthew Trewhella
The UK government has recognised the value of this 100-year infrastructure investment and have made changes to the Non Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) regulations with regard to deeming and split ownership making Kensa’s funding mechanism possible. The move is timely following the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reporting that urgent action is needed to phase out fossil fuels by 2050 if we are to limit global warming rises to 1.5C. According to Kensa Group managing director, Simon Lomax: “This offer should signal the end of air source heat pumps and gas in new build dwellings. It is widely understood that ground source heat pumps are more efficient, reliable and durable, but their issue has always been the cost of the ground array. We have now solved this problem. Kensa can fund, install, own and maintain the ground array which means this cost is no longer borne by the house builder. Very simply, we supply the underground infrastructure at zero cost.”
uSimon Lomax
The 2018 RHI Regulations included an important refinement; along with clarification regarding split ownership arrangements, for the first time, Non Domestic RHI quarterly payments for residential properties linked to Shared Ground Loop Arrays are now based upon the deemed heat consumption taken from the Energy Performance Certificate, prompting funders to back Kensa's offer of ground arrays at no charge to the housing provider. Dr Matthew Trewhella, contracts director at Kensa Contracting explains: “The changes to the RHI and Kensa’s funded offer eliminates the key barrier to deployment of ground source heat pumps which are widely recognised that, money-aside, are the best heating
HEAT PUMPS Is this the end of air source and gas in new builds?
system available. By removing the expense of the ground array Kensa is mimicking long-standing 'split ownership' arrangements in the gas sector with the underground infrastructure owned and maintained separately from the heat pump installed inside the properties. Kensa's model sees the housing provider fund the heat pump, which is sold with the property and maintained by the purchaser, whilst the ground array is fully funded via the RHI income.” Government’s ambition for the widespread electrification of heat is driving policy to deliver lower carbon developments, and with further decarbonisation of the grid electrically delivered heat is widely regarded as the future of heating.
For many off-gas developments, air source heat pumps have been a common choice, but Kensa Contracting is now offering its Shoebox ground source model in a novel fashion which should allow house builders to specify a more appealing heating system whilst reducing build costs. According to Lomax: “Air source heat pumps can spoil the appearance of a home, often create noise pollution issues and require planning permission for most new build applications. These problems all disappear with the Kensa solution. Better still, a ground source heat pump delivers lower carbon emissions, which creates a clear opportunity to reduce other build costs whilst still satisfying
building regulations; our analysis reveals significant savings are possible. Anecdotal evidence also suggests higher selling prices are possible for homes benefitting from a ground source heat pump. Best of all, the scale of the RHI payments means Kensa is often able to subsidise the cost of the heat pump, which means the overall cost falls far below any rival heating system, including a gas combi boiler. We expect our solution to appeal as an alternative to a gas boiler, too.”
To support its offer, Kensa has developed a range of ultra-small and ultra-quiet Shoebox heat pumps with a capacity of 3-6kW designed to fit within the majority of new build homes. The heat pump is partnered with a hot water cylinder in a tiered single footprint arrangement, requiring an 800 x 800mm cupboard. Typical efficiencies exceed 300 per cent, which means householders benefit from ultra-low running costs with further savings expected once time-of-use electricity tariffs become commonplace. The installations can also provide passive cooling during summer.
Lomax concludes: “Ground source heat pumps are a strategic technology for government if it is to meet its carbon emission reduction targets and the available support reflects the desire to increase deployment in the new build sector. It is now possible to have the very best heating system at the very lowest cost, a true ‘game-changer’.”
www.kensaheatpumps.com Heat pump system to cut energy bills & carbon
ground source heat pump system at 12 Flagship Group homes in Suffolk is aiming to help lower energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and provide a better quality heating system and living conditions for their residents. It is also estimated the sustainable system, due to be completed in October at Airey Close in Sudbury, will save each household just under £500 per year.
A
Featuring individual Kensa Shoebox heat pumps in each house connected to clusters of shared ground loop arrays, the scheme qualifies for the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), generating a guaranteed income to allow Flagship to roll
out the much-improved heating system into more homes in the future. Charlie Conley, head of asset management at Flagship says: “We are committed to continually improving our renewable energy sources to help tackle fuel poverty. After the successes of our pilot ground source heat pump scheme in Fressingfield, Suffolk, we identified this as a suitable site for our second project of this kind.
“This system will create a number of benefits for Flagship and our customers, as it will replace the current electric economy seven storage heaters, which are ineffective and expensive to run.” Project managed by Kensa
Contracting, the retrofit scheme features 10 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MARCH 2019
British-made ground source heat pumps from Kensa Heat Pumps, fitted by local company Gasway Services. The site has gained international interest, attracting a visit by a delegation from Indonesia hosted by the Department for International Trade (DIT). The Indonesian market have shown interest due to the possibility of reversing the heat flow in Kensa’s Shared Ground Loop Array design; the low-temperature from the ground can be used to provide free passive cooling to buildings, or for substantial cooling demands, heat can be absorbed from buildings and discharged into the ground, therefore providing a low-cost and low-carbon means to cool as well as heat.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
‘
It is widely understood that ground source heat pumps are more efficient, reliable and durable, but their issue has always been the cost of the ground array
’
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
