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DOMESTIC HEATING
boilingpoint Whitepaper seeks to
highlight hybrid heat pump ‘missed opportunity’
A whitepaper exploring the policy landscape around hybrid heat pump systems has been launched to provide a series of key findings which inform a recommended rollout of the technology in the UK.
L in November. Matt black colour coatings also optimise radiant performance and keep
convection unaffected. However, the current rise in the number of black and anthracite finished radiators is not driven by performance, but by design trends - so once again, the finish of the radiator is driven by style rather than performance. White radiators remain the most popular choice due to their neutrality, meaning they can blend into most interior schemes and essentially “disappear” into the background. Additionally, white radiators are cost-effective as they can be produced in high volumes (white paint or epoxy polyester powder is only cheaper because it is used in higher volumes than other colours) and consequently can be easily stocked. Radiator colour can also influence how a space feels and our mood! ‘Warm’ colours such as red, orange and yellow, which are often associated with summer, sun and fire, can give a feeling of heat and cosiness even when a radiator is not turned on and this psychology is useful when helping occupants feel more comfortable even when system temperatures are reduced. Even warm tones of traditionally ‘cold’ colours can imply snugness in a
room. A design trend of leaving the radiator in the ‘as-manufactured’ condition with just a clear lacquer for corrosion protection can suggest a more stark, architectural feel whilst maintaining thermal performance and the radiator increasingly becomes a design statement. Radiators are no longer utilitarian objects to be hidden; they are statements of design and functionality. In the end, choosing the right radiator colour and finish is about more than just matching the décor; it’s about achieving a balance between style, function and even comfort. This means, whether you’re drawn to sleek black, timeless white, or bold colours, there’s a radiator to suit every style. Even radiator valves can be matched to the chosen finish to ensure a polished, cohesive look for any interior. As the industry grows, more interior designers, retailers and customers
are beginning to approach radiators with an eye for design, considering them as essential elements of the room rather than simply functional items. We’ve expanded the Zehnder Studio Collection to include a number of PVD finished towel radiators, including the Zehnder Chime, Zehnder Pera and Zehnder Alban – the latest towel radiator to receive the PVD treatment. And the Zehnder World of Colours means that our decorative radiators, like the Zehnder Tetris, can be finished in one of 50 colour options. So, whatever your design choices, there is a high performance radiator to suit the space.
Exploring the suitability of heat pumps deployed in hybrid configuration with new or existing gas boilers for UK homes, the paper highlights series of policy recommendations designed to help accelerate heat decarbonisation. These include consideration for eligibility under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, better representation of hybrid systems’ carbon saving benefits under the Clean Heat Market Mechanism and a rebalancing of electricity prices to help reduce running costs. The launch follows the announcement of the government’s Warm Homes
Plan, which saw increased funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and a reformed Clean Heat Market Mechanism as part of plans to increase the uptake of heat pumps in the UK. Building on ambition from the Government to progress heat
decarbonisation, Baxi has commissioned the report to demonstrate how hybrid systems could be a key transitional technology to clean heat. Jeff House, external affairs and policy director at Baxi, explains: “There has been no shortage of ambition to decarbonise heat in the UK, as demonstrated through the Government’s commitment to make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower and the additional support provided through the Warm Homes Plan. However, we wanted to commission this report to demonstrate that there is a real missed opportunity when it comes to including hybrid systems within these policies. “Whilst heat pumps, whether deployed individually or at the heart of heat
networks, will be one of the key mass market drivers of decarbonised heat, we have a responsibility to ensure a balanced and equitable transition in line with consumer needs. A hybrid system offers advantages as a transitional technology, not only in terms of overcoming some technical barriers to make them more cost effective in difficult to decarbonise homes, but also for energy system flexibility and resilience.” The report also highlights learnings from the rest of Europe, including
countries that are incentivising the installation of hybrid systems as a transition technology. For example, following extensive deployment in the Netherlands, the state was considering whether to mandate hybrid systems as the minimum requirement for all retrofit installations. Jeff continues: “By including hybrids in more incentives such as Boiler
Upgrade Scheme and Clean Heat Market Mechanism, we can expect to see the same spikes in uptake that there have been in Europe. Add to the addressing of the gap between electricity and gas prices for householders and we could well see uptake for clean heat technologies accelerate at the rate we need it to.”
eading manufacturer of heating and hot water solutions Baxi commissioned Gemserv (a Talan Company) to research and produce the report – entitled Unlocking the Power of Heat Pumps with Hybrid Installations – which was launched at an event in Westminster
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