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Copper piping essential for sustainable change?


One in 10 households need to switch to heat pumps in the next five years, but how can copper piping spearhead a sustainable change?


T


he popularity of heat pumps in the UK is increasing, with more people becoming aware of their environmental benefits. At the end


of 2023, applications had increased by 49% year on year, with many taking advantage of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. However, to reach the UK’s climate obligations,


there is still a long way to go – new analysis from innovation charity Nesta has found that there must be a 12-fold increase in installations over the next five years compared with the last five years; resulting in the installation of 3 million more heat pumps and other low-carbon heating systems by 2030.


With one in 10 households needing to switch to heat pumps in the next five years to help the UK hit targets, what exactly does this mean for residents? Why should they make the change?


How do heat pumps work?


Air and ground source heat pumps use renewable energy to transfer heat to homes, with the former available in two forms: monobloc and split systems. Monobloc systems have all the components fitted in a single outdoor unit, often fitted onto an exterior wall or placed on the ground, whereas split systems separate components between indoor and outdoor units. Ground source heat pumps are a more complex installation, requiring underground space to lay pipes.


Heat pumps are extremely efficient due to the


low-carbon heating systems. From the scheme, 150 heat pump owners have already signed up, with London leading the way with the most heat pump hosts, while East Anglia is growing with 11 hosts advertising visits.


Heat pumps made with copper piping


Heat pump installations are the next big step towards the UK reaching its climate goal and the Copper Sustainability Partnership (CUSP) believes copper should be at the heart of this change. The partnerships says copper is suitable for


energy output they can produce. Reaching efficiency levels of 300%, there is significant transformation in the amount of energy that your home uses compared to the 85% level a regular boiler operates at. Possessing a longer lifespan, heat pumps


require a reduced need for maintenance, allowing households save money over time and reduce their carbon footprint, given they don’t consume fossil fuels.


‘Visit a Heat Pump’ scheme’s contribution


One initiative key to the uptake of heat pumps usage is the ‘Visit a Heat Pump’ scheme, backed by Nesta at the beginning of April 2024. VisitAHeatPump.com helps homeowners to learn


more about heat pumps in a real-world setting, allowing them to book visits in their local areas where heat pumps are already in use to see how they work and inspire confidence about adopting


supplying heating, water and gas into homes. As an excellent conductor of heat, it allows for rapid and efficient heat transfer, making it the standout choice for supplying the heat generated by low-carbon heating systems.


The material also possesses a host of


environmental benefits. Not only is it an infinitely recyclable material but is favourable because of its thermal resilience and ability to withstand fluctuating temperatures. Copper pipes can be integrated with air source heat pumps, transporting the heat extracted from outside air to radiators, electric heaters and other outlets. As well as improving efficiency, copper pipes are also recyclable, helping to reduce carbon emissions associated with the design of air-source heat pumps. With the construction industry in desperate need


to improve its sustainability, single use plastics must be eliminated and replaced with an recyclable alternative like copper, in order to make homes fit for the future.


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