Commercial heating


Collaboratively designing the future of heat


No low carbon heating technology in itself is a decarbonisation panacea, says Ryan Kirkwood, Baxi’s heat pump business development manager. With greater collaboration across the industry, we can move towards a solutions-focused approach that will prioritise both practicality and performance in existing non-domestic buildings


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f we are to meet the UK’s binding target to achieve a Net Zero economy by 2050, the way in which we currently heat our buildings must change. As heating professionals, we all have a vital role to play in driving the energy transition. There’s no doubting that the challenge is huge, particularly in existing non-domestic buildings. But prioritising high heat performance for our customers is key – especially during a period of soaring energy prices. The temptation is to approach the task from a


product focus, hence the heated debates over the various benefits of low carbon technologies. But as we know, buildings vary in age and profile, so there can be no ‘one-size-fits-all’ silver bullet solution. Instead, the solution will need to be tailored on an individual building level if the optimal outcome is to be achieved. One way to support the bespoke, solutions-focused approach that this requires is to work more closely with experienced heating and hot water manufacturers.


Heat pumps


Take heat pumps. The Government recognises heat pumps as one of the key focus areas in the short term for decarbonising heat and we agree. We are pleased to have added our new Remeha E-HP AW range of air source heat pumps (ASHP) to our expanding portfolio of sustainable heating and hot water solutions.


The merits of electric heat pumps as a technology to meet the decarbonisation challenge today are well established, particularly in new and well- insulated buildings. However, retrofitting heat pumps presents a


challenge as they typically operate most effectively in conjunction with energy efficiency upgrades. If the


20 March 2022


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resilience and legislative compliance. They should also be able to advise on any


barriers that need to be addressed and happy to problem solve at your side.


Phased refurbishment


Hybrid heat pump systems are an effective means of overcoming typical project limitations in existing buildings and meeting heat demand more sustainably. In a well-designed system, they will reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, thereby helping businesses balance environmental with economic goals. But energy efficiency is absolutely critical to


reduce heat losses and emissions and lower energy demand and costs. This is likely to be the first stage in a phased refurbishment programme, followed by an upgrade of any non-condensing boilers or water heaters to more energy-efficient condensing units. Once the building and heating system has


been brought up to code, integrating ASHPs and condensing boilers or water heaters in a hybrid system would then be a natural progression. Is space limited? Your preferred manufacturer


solution is technology-focused and tailored around the heat pump rather than the retrofit challenges in the building, the anticipated energy, running costs and carbon savings will simply not be achieved.


Working together in energy


So how to ensure that performance is prioritised? Engaging with experienced manufacturers at the outset is one option. Does the building have high air filtration? Are


there budget constraints? Is there sufficient electricity supply? With their unique knowledge of their products and expert understanding of heating systems and controls, manufacturers and suppliers should be able to ask the right questions so that collectively you arrive at the best, most practical solutions. As decarbonisation is unlikely to happen


overnight in many non-domestic buildings, they can work with you to plan a stepwise approach to refurbishment that will allow businesses to plan and budget ahead, while ensuring both future


may offer the option to make on-site installation easier with bespoke pre-packaged rigs and/or full turnkey-enabled plant rooms. Has the system been designed in such a way that it maximises heat pump contribution performance while taking into account project limitations? Does the design optimise the efficiency of both technologies? Have flow and return temperatures, ∆Ts, controls and the detailed hydronic design been carefully considered when blending the technologies? Expert manufacturers will be able to provide advice on these aspects to address and avoid any conflict.


Collaboration


As heating professionals, our role is to help businesses and organisations set their buildings on the path to Net Zero while minimising energy costs related to heat. By working more collaboratively, we can supply the right solutions at the right time for optimal results. We look forward to supporting designers and contractors with our quality products and bespoke, solutions-focused approach so that together we achieve outcomes that put ticks in both the practicality and performance boxes.


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