RENEWABLES
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Sustainably heating new build residential properties
The pressure to reach net zero emissions is arguably being most felt in the new build residential sector, particularly in light of the Future Homes Standard proposed for 2025. Given there is a no one size fits all approach for decarbonising houses, Nick Wilson, commercial & marketing director at Baxi Heating, explores the options available to specifiers, developers and heating contractors
T
he pressure to reach net zero emissions is arguably being most felt in the new build residential sector, particularly in light of
the Future Homes Standard proposed for 2025. Given there is a no one size fits all approach for decarbonising houses, Nick Wilson, commercial & marketing director at Baxi Heating, explores the options available to specifiers, developers and heating contractors.
Specifiers, contractors and developers working
in the new build residential market are having to prioritise low-carbon technologies to meet tighter energy efficiency targets. With the Future Homes Standard looming, it is only a matter of years before all new build housing may be required to find an alternative to natural gas heating. By understanding all of the options available, heating professionals will be able to find the best solution to meet the needs of different project requirements.
Hydrogen possibilities
Hydrogen fuel is seen as one solution for moving existing dwellings away from natural gas without too much disruption. It produces no greenhouse gases when burned and can be piped through the natural gas existing network, meaning most consumers will be largely unaffected by the switch. However, success will rely on ongoing research and the necessary production infrastructure to get the fuel into homes. Current gas competent engineers will also need some additional training to work with the new technology. Because the Future Homes Standard may mandate that new builds will not be permitted to connect
to the gas grid from 2025 – and hydrogen is not expected to be widely distributed through the grid by then – it is unlikely it will be of concern for new build professionals. Instead, alternative technologies such as air source heat pumps (ASHPs) may be required.
Air source heat pumps
Earmarked as a solution for the new build housing sector, ASHPs are an efficient means of low-carbon heating and hot water supply in well insulated new build properties. Given their unique installation and commissioning
requirements, there are concerns about the current lack of ASHP installers, which will deter progress to reach targets and may even result in unsuitable
installations. In real terms, only 30,000 ASHPs are currently installed per year across all sectors, which are currently facilitated by fewer than a 1,000 Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) qualified businesses. This is clearly an issue requiring immediate attention if ASHP installation targets set out by the Government of 600,000 installations per year by 2028, are to be met. As a result of these concerns, training to help
upskill more qualified installers to confidently install ASHPs is an industry-wide priority. Understanding the importance of training, Baxi Assure offers technical and product training as part of a complete home service to support with ASHP understanding and a plethora of other low-carbon technologies. For contractors, the installation training demonstrates
28 July 2021
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