PHAM NEWS | MARCH 2025 18 HeatPumps


Laying the groundwork


Ground source heat pumps are transforming the UK’s heating landscape, off ering e ffi cient, scalable solutions for decarbonisation in social housing and new developments, says Tamsin Lishman from Kensa.


strong sign of progress, but still far short of the government’s 600,000 per year target by 2028. Achieving this goal requires supportive policies and scalable solutions like networked ground source heat pumps, designed specifi cally to tackle large-scale decarbonisation. The networked heat pump


Tamsin Lishman CEO of Kensa


G


round source heat pumps have evolved from a niche technology to a key pillar of the UK’s


net zero strategy. As we mark 25 years as a GSHP manufacturer with a bold new brand and a mission to make heating better for everyone, the journey so far has been transformative, but the technology’s next chapter holds even greater potential. With growing public interest,


ambitious decarbonisation goals, and the pressing need to reduce reliance on imported gas, the demand for high-effi ciency heating systems has never been greater. As the most effi cient heating technologies available, ground source heat pumps are poised for rapid expansion, particularly as a large-scale solution for decarbonising heat. We’re preparing to meet this


demand, which will see ground source heat pumps become more common in UK homes and buildings. But, looking further ahead, because of those high effi ciencies and the technology’s versatility, we expect it to continue growing and secure its place as a mainstream solution.


Scaling up Heat pump adoption is steadily rising, yet the UK still lags behind its ambitious targets. In 2024, just under 100,000 heat pumps were installed, a


model, which Kensa has been installing for well over a decade, connects multiple properties, each with its own ground source heat pump, to a shared borehole network. This approach signifi cantly reduces installation costs per home, making ground source a viable, scalable solution for entire streets, high-rise apartment blocks, and new-build developments. This model: • Lowers upfront costs


compared to standalone installs • Reduces strain on the


electricity grid due to its high effi ciency • Future-proofs homes with a


renewable heat source that lasts over 100 years • Gives the lowest running cost


of any low carbon system that’s cheaper to run than gas


Growth markets Social housing providers have been early adopters of networked heat pumps. Kensa has partnered with numerous local authorities and housing associations to install thousands of systems, with the compact Shoebox heat pump playing a key role. Recent projects include: • Thurrock Council: A large-


scale networked heat pump installation for 273 fl ats across three tower blocks, signifi cantly reducing tenants’ energy bills. • Clarion Housing Group:


Upgrading 81 Edwardian- era fl ats in central London with networked heat pumps, demonstrating how the technology can decarbonise even older building stock. Both of these projects have not


only given residents a reliable heating system they can aff ord to use, but have also proved sceptics wrong, opening people’s eyes to


 Drilling a borehole for a networked heat pump project, maximising cost- eff ectiveness by sharing the heat source among multiple homes


 The Kensa Shoebox


ground source heat pump at Sutton Dwellings


Estate, a social housing project in London


how you can use heat pumps to decarbonise old buildings. Government initiatives


like the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (formerly the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund) are vital in supporting this transition. The next wave of funding from this stream, due to be allocated later this year, will help thousands of social homes switch to clean, aff ordable heat, with ground source heat pumps playing a key role.


New build developments When it’s implemented, the Future Homes Standard will transform the heat pump market, more than tripling its size overnight. With a mandate for clean, homegrown heat that doesn’t rely on imported gas, housebuilders must adopt cost- eff ective, compliant alternatives, and networked heat pumps provide a proven solution for that. They can: • Match gas on cost when


installed at scale • Avoid additional investment


CUT TO THE CHASE


 Networked heat pumps enable scalable solutions for entire streets and developments


 Social housing projects showcase successful decarbonisation and affordability with heat pumps.


 Future Homes Standard will signifi cantly expand the heat pump market


 High effi ciency of heat pumps futureproof homes with renewable energy sources


and delays on the electricity grid • Meet future regulatory


requirements A prime example is a 133-


home development in Bristol, completed in 2023, where networked heat pumps were installed to provide each home with a low-carbon heating system that won’t require replacement in the years ahead. Through our partnership


with leading utility provider GTC, networked heat pumps can be integrated into new developments without increasing costs for developers compared to gas. Additionally, this model also comes out cheaper to install


and operate than gas over the product’s lifecycle, off ering a bonus to the homeowner. The system’s high energy effi ciencies allow this, eliminating the need for developers to fork out on expensive grid upgrades, while also ensuring homeowners can enjoy a warm home without burning a hole in their pocket. We are still waiting on the


Future Homes Standard, and we hope to get news on that this year, but integrating networked heat pumps as a heating solution now allows housebuilders to future-proof developments while ensuring homeowners avoid the expense of replacing gas systems later down the line.


What’s next? With the right government support, industry collaboration, and continued innovation, networked heat pumps will play a central role in heat decarbonisation. Beyond social housing and new build homes, we see enormous potential in: • Street-by-street heat


decarbonisation, enabling entire communities and millions of existing homes to transition to clean heat • Waste heat recovery,


capturing and repurposing excess heat from data centres and industrial processes to boost system effi ciency Decarbonising heat presents


challenges and will require change, but change can be positive. Transitioning to networked heat pumps doesn’t just mean lower carbon emissions, it also delivers a heating upgrade that benefi ts households and the planet. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/325/27


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