www.heatingandventilating.net


HEAT PUMPS Stimulating the heat pump market


Current heat pump subsidies are geared towards incentivising one-off heat pump installations in individual homes and we are not going to achieve the necessary market growth with this focus. One solution is to take responsibility away from householders to switch their boilers to one that introduces a large-scale network of ground source heat pumps similar to the design and infrastructure of the current gas grid. This approach has the promise to be a mass market and mass scale solution which if adopted, could transform our low carbon landscape and accelerate Net Zero ambitions. It’s a bold idea but one that manufacturers, the


government and the energy sector are exploring with one study predicting a move to networked heat pumps could save the UK an estimated £1bn a year to 2050. By shifting the emphasis from consumers getting rid of their boilers and installing individual infrastructure for ground source heat pumps on an ad-hoc house-by- house basis, a move to a pre-installation of utility-scale underground infrastructure (how the gas grid works today), the 600,000 annual heat pump target could be met. With the infrastructure funded, owned and maintained


by a utility supplier or local authority for example, the cost is removed from consumers who can then easily and cheaply change to a heat pump as and when they’re ready and pay a standing charge similar to what they do for their existing gas supply. If this infrastructure is already provided, then plumbing and heating engineers could install ground source heat pumps on a neighbourhood scale, without involvement with the ambient loop infrastructure, just as they have no involvement in the supply of the gas network.


The need for action is critical


The challenge is how we make this a reality at scale because we need action to start soon. There are around 28 million homes in the UK currently on gas, with more boilers being installed every day. An average household gas boiler emits greenhouse gases equivalent to approximately 2.2 tonnes of CO2 per year. We only have 27 years until the UK has pledged to be net zero carbon. To achieve this target, we’d have to decarbonise roughly 20,000 homes per week. Kensa recommends a street-by-street approach using networked heat pumps, shared ground arrays, split ownership and financing as the lowest overall system cost transition to zero carbon heating. This vision is unlocked via a series of actions from various stakeholders including central Government; local Government; the finance industry and the heat pump industry itself. You can read more about Kensa’s vision online and access a route map to a financially viable consumer and householder proposition that could be subsidy free by 2030.


boilingpoint Energy saving and water efficiency tips W


e’re already in a cost-of-living crisis but we need to brace ourselves further as energy prices are set to


rise again in April 2023. Experts predict that energy prices won’t return


to pre-covid prices and with the Energy Bills Support Scheme being cut back too, it’s more important than ever to know how to save energy and save money. Firstly, it’s important to make sure your heating


system is well maintained and runs efficiently throughout the year in order to help prevent any problems arising later down the line, especially during the winter. It’s a good idea to bleed your radiators and get


your boiler serviced annually and to make sure you are following the guidance/requirements from the manufacturers of your heating appliances. You should also try to become more familiar with your plumbing system and check your pipes for any leaks, cracks or damage. Energy saving tips: ¡ Properly insulating your home can reduce the amount of heat you lose. ¡ Switching to energy efficient appliances, like LED light bulbs and A rated appliances. ¡ Drying your clothes outside rather than using a tumble dryer. ¡ Switch off your appliances. ¡ Draught proofing your home can stop warm air escaping and cold air coming into the house. ¡ Install the silver foil reflective radiator panels behind the radiators in your house as this helps to reflect the heat back into your home. ¡ Install radiator thermostats so that you can control the temperature of each individual. ¡ Use any eco settings on your appliances. ¡ Install renewable technlogy to save money. Water efficiency tips: Professionals in the plumbing and heating industry are spreading awareness of the need to minimise water consumption as our water use contributes to our energy bills and carbon emissions. The household supply use of water generates


around 6% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions and the biggest proportion, approximately 89%, of greenhouse gas emissions associated with water supply comes from heating water for general water usage in domestic housing, usually through white goods such as washing machines and dishwashers.


¡ Don’t overfill your kettle when boiling water. ¡ Opt for showers over baths. ¡ Wash clothes at 30 degrees. ¡ Turn your taps off when brushing your teeth. ¡ Check for any leaking in taps and pipes. ¡ Use a washing up bowl instead of running water when washing up. ¡ Opt for appliances with good water efficiency. ¡ Use you washing machine or dishwasher with a full load. ¡ Collect rainwater using a water butt. ¡ Opt for a toilet with a dual flush system or purchase water displacement bags that sit in your toilet tank. ¡ Switch to an aerated or low flow.


Support for homeowners


The typical annual household bill is set to rise from £2,500 to £3,000 in April and there will only be energy grant help for certain households. From April, there will be some groups who


will receive payments to help with energy costs. The lowest income households on means-tested benefits will get £900 in total in three instalments. Pensioner households will receive £300, and there’ll be £150 going to people on certain disability benefits.


Support for businesses


There is currently no price cap on a companies’ energy bills like there is for domestic homes. We are seeing businesses spending thousands of pounds on electricity and gas each month. Back in January 2023, a new energy scheme


for businesses was announced. The new scheme offers all eligible UK businesses a discount on high energy bills from 1/4/23 until 31/3/24. With support from the Government decreasing and energy prices set to remain higher for the foreseeable, if we can ensure we are implementing the above measures in our homes and businesses we can attempt to ease the pinch a little. www.aphc.co.uk/find-an-aphc-member


DOWNLOAD THE HVR APP NOW


March 2023 29


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36