Burning issue


THE FUTURE OF HEATING


uy Ransom, commercial director of heat pump specialist Finn Geotherm (pictured) throws his weight behind the recommendations of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), which underpin the Clean Growth Strategy. Alternatives to carbon fuelled heating have been available for


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more than 70 years. In 1948, the Spectator Magazine wrote of a heat pump installation completed for the Eastern Electricity buildings in Norwich: “It seems incredible that a device such as the heat pump should have escaped the attention that it deserves. Now we know that it will work, and the time has come to make the most of the knowledge we have gained.” Despite this significant passage of time, we continue to question the viability of a technology which is able to generate 4kW of heat for every 1kW of electricity used, has no emissions other than those associated with the ever-cleaner electricity it uses and which, when correctly designed and installed, can deliver heat to virtually any building in the UK. Heat pump technology is tried and tested – and available now. It is an obvious fact that any building can be heated by matching


the energy loss at a given target temperature with energy input. A heat pump is simply an efficient means of supplying a given amount of energy. As such, the system can be scaled to meet the needs of a one-bedroom bungalow, perhaps 5kW, or a 27-bedroom stately home, perhaps 120kW. The key then is not the source of the heat, but the appropriate means of distributing it. Heat pumps do work most effectively at a lower operating


temperature than combustion boilers – typically 50°C versus 80°C flow. They are also however designed to work with longer duty cycles so, rather than providing a rapid inrush of heat, energy is delivered steadily over a longer period than traditional boilers. We are very familiar with this principle in underfloor heating. Correctly sized radiators are also totally effective in working with heat pumps to maintain desired room temperatures, even in the draughtiest of buildings. Heat pumps can heat properties of all ages and sizes more than adequately. Despite the age, low EPC rating and lack of insulation of country houses, the occupants are more inclined to complain of being too warm following a heat pump installation than too cold. It is true that the installation of a ground source heat pump


system will be up to three times more expensive than installing a traditional oil boiler. Given the fact that a heat pump will last three times as long as a condensing boiler and that, during every year of its life, it will generate significant savings on heating, this additional upfront cost is more than paid for in the system’s lifetime. Whilst these considerations of cost and efficiency must be fully satisfied, we should not lose sight of the desperate need to reduce the carbon we release into the atmosphere every year. The CCC estimates we will need to install over two million


more heat pumps by 2030 if we are to stand any chance of meeting the required carbon reduction targets. This will require a dramatic change from the current position where heat pumps account for less than one percent of annual heating installations. Much of this, however, can and should be achieved by


incorporating large scale ground source heat pump systems within district heating schemes, where one plant room can meet the needs of many households. To do this, we have to break our love affair with high


temperature heating. Specifiers and architects need to incorporate these systems into public and private building projects alike. Housing associations must embrace the technology to reduce endemic problems of fuel poverty. The CCC is correct in saying, “climate change will not wait while we consider our options”.


www.heatingandventilating.net C


onex Bänninger has introduced an upgraded version of its >B< Press XL press fit system into the UK market. The >B< Press XL fittings feature a stainless steel internal grip ring for


increased joint security and a longer lifespan. They are among the largest fittings the company manufactures and are designed for use in commercial and other major pipework systems that carry large quantities of water at pressures up to 16 bar. Approved for use in temperatures ranging from -35ºC to 110ºC, typical


locations are the dry and wet risers in high rise office blocks and apartments, schools, hospitals and factories. Dan Wild, UK business unit director, UK and Ireland, said: “This will


take the XL system to an entirely new level and the grip ring sets it apart from other products on the market. “As well as being much quicker and safer to install than a brazed


joint, the grip ring and O-ring give added leak-free permanence and a greater longevity.” As a flame-free press joint no hot works permit is required, so there’s no need to carry heavy gas bottles on site and work can be carried out with little or no disruption to people working or living in the premises. The range will be available in sizes from 67mm to 108mm and


applications are drinking water, heating water (non-solar) and chilled water. >B< Press XL is WRAS and Kitemark approved and is accredited to EN ISO 9001. Extensively tested, it comes with a 25-year warranty when fitted to manufacturer’s guidelines (terms and conditions apply). For the largest fitting, if a braze joint was used it could take more than an


hour-and-a-half to solder, whereas with the crimp, or press fitting, once initial preparation is carried out, the installation can be completed in seconds using the appropriate press tool and jaws. The previous XL version had a two-point crimp to make the joint. The new XL has a triple-point seal. Dan explained: “Both the grip ring and the O-ring have an internal diameter larger than the tube being inserted into the joint. “The design of the O-ring and equally spaced collapse zones on the grip ring ensure that the seal compression between tube and fitting is even after pressing. As a result, the seal security and longevity are increased.” The new >B< Press XL range is manufactured in copper and has the added benefits of anti-microbial properties and reduced weight to help handling on site. Dan concluded: “We are confident the new, improved XL is going to make a big impact in the UK. While some consultants have been reticent up to now to use crimp fittings on larger diameter pipe, we believe our new technology will help them to get to grips with the idea. “For merchants, they will have a better product to stock, while contractors and engineers will benefit from the opportunity to increase their productivity thanks to the quicker, easier installation that press fitting offers.”


August 2018 11


New kit on the block


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