www.heatingandventilating.net ASHPs ARE THE FUTURE I
t’s official, this year marks the transition from gas to air source heat pumps. As renewable energy becomes increasingly trusted in
residential environments, heat pump technology is on hand to provide domestic heating which is fit for a greener future. In the UK, the Government has forecasted the sale of one million heat pumps a year by 2030, with 2017 seeing the installation of roughly 22,000 new heat pumps, an increase of 18% on the previous year. And the UK is far from an isolated case, with much the same situation across Europe. In Germany, heat pumps were installed in 43% of residential buildings in 2017, moving ahead of gas heaters for the first time ever. And in Denmark, estimates suggest that heat pump sales will reach 600,000 by 2050 – the year when the nation plans to be completely free of fossil fuels. It isn’t hard to understand why uptake of air
source heat pumps is strong, with their ability to offer a reduction in running costs and emissions, increased efficiencies, easier maintenance and a pathway to a cleaner future. For residential home owners and housing associations in particular, the opportunity for households to save money on bills is a key driver of their growing popularity. For off-gas grid homes, air source heat pumps
Smart control
HEATING INNOVATION MAX HALLIWELL, MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC
sustainable heating market in the UK. It has already agreed, regardless of Brexit, to follow the low- carbon energy roadmap put in place by the EU, which declares that by 2050, all members of the EU should cut greenhouse gas emissions to 80%, below the levels produced in 1990. It has also pledged to get 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, and is likely to continue to champion heat pumps as a guaranteed way to reduce dependency on traditional sources of energy. All of this is promising, and the future for air
also offer a welcome alternative to costly fuel delivery and storage.
The design and installation of air source heat pumps is also suitable for those in residential areas. They are even able to work alongside existing heating systems in a hybrid situation if required, removing the need for an expensive re-fit. The often ultra-quiet operation of a modern air source heat pump provides the additional benefit of flexibility in where they can be positioned, while still ensuring no disturbance to homeowner or neighbour. As a result, they are set to become very common across sites where space is at a premium. Government initiatives are also a driving factor and help explain why air source heat pumps have truly started to take over this year. The Government is putting plans in to place to raise efficiency standards and create a more
source heat pumps looks bright, but there is still work to be done to ensure uptake continues to grow. We mustn’t forget that most houses are still fitted with gas boilers for various reasons, with price being one significant factor deterring their installation. Despite the potential of significant savings over time, the initial up-front cost isn’t insignificant. And fundamentally, many homeowners are still unaware of air source heat pumps as an option for domestic heating, meaning we must focus on education and ensure that the advantages are recognised by not only builders, planners, contractors and plumbers but also by homeowners and self-build developers. Those in the industry are in the midst of an exciting and challenging opportunity – as efficiency demands across all sectors become greater, air source heat pumps have an ever-increasing role to play in heating domestic spaces.
CONSIDER INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS PHIL BIRCHENOUGH, SIME
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install smart controls. Courtesy of an OpenTherm Load Compensation energy saving feature, this range is said to provide homeowners with optimum efficiency and maximum heating control comfort along with design simplicity. Dean Jepson, SALUS’ European managing director,
S
said: “When installing a combi boiler, Boiler Plus dictates that one of four energy efficiency measures must be added, one of which is heating controls. Since simple programmable thermostats are no longer compliant in this instance, homeowners are limited to connected smart controls with automation and optimisation functions. “Now, however, thanks to the RT520’s Load Compensation feature - one of the four energy saving features that makes a system Boiler Plus compliant - homeowners are able to meet the requirements of the new regulations without resorting to smart controls.”
www.heatingandventilating.net
ALUS has launched the RT520 series – a cost- effective thermostat range that meets the requirements of Boiler Plus without having to
ntegrating multiple technologies can solve many dilemmas for installers and homeowners
considering a move to renewables. Renewable energy has created a buzz in built
environment circles for years now and has been rapidly adopted by specifiers, developers and subsequently home owners. In fact, it is rare these days for a new build
project not to incorporate a succession of environmentally-friendly elements – one of which is often an efficient heating system. As a result, these products are becoming more
mainstream but their adoption in older properties during retrofitting has been slow going. So, what’s the problem? Utilising renewables solutions in existing homes is a challenge for several reasons. Homeowners want to reduce the carbon footprint of their homes and make them as energy efficient as possible but most products available lend themselves better to new build properties rather than refurb projects. This is because a new build is a blank canvas. These elements can be included at the planning stages and therefore there are no hurdles relating to siting - the main barrier to adoption for existing properties. Siting is a problem because heat pumps
usually must be located outside a property and have plenty of space around them for maximum air flow. Heat pumps can also be a little pricey to purchase and have installed. Labour can also be a problem. Installation of heat pumps requires a special F Gas certification, and this isn’t commonplace for all heating engineers. Integrated solutions offer a viable answer to these problems, allowing homeowners to turn up the heat, be kind to the planet and cut costs. It involves an integrated product that removes the siting and space issues that might be a turn off during retrofitting. Products like the Murelle Revolution 30
integrate the heat pump and boiler in one cased product that is hung on the wall like a conventional boiler. Therefore the siting issues commonly associated with heat pumps are removed, as is the need for space outside the property. It also doesn’t need to be installed by an F Gas
-certified installer either so this reduces the cost and complications of finding an expert to employ. Finally, any initial outlay can pay dividends in the long run, with the significant energy savings integrated products can deliver. For every 1kWh of energy input, an air source heat pump can produce 4kWh of output (a COP of 4 achieving an incredible efficiency of 400%).
December 2018
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