Image © Eurovent
Eurovent Certita Certification (ECC) has published a white paper looking at the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s heating industry.
Installing Efficient Heat Pumps: A Challenge of Environmental Transition highlights the importance of installing highly energy efficient heat pumps, as a key part of the decarbonisation of over 30 million heating and hot water systems in homes and businesses by 2050.
The white paper gives an overview of aerothermal and geothermal heat pumps, and the issues in achieving carbon neutrality. Covering the background of decarbonisation, the factors driving heat pump sales, and the obstacles faced by the sector at large, the white paper moves on to practical installation advice, highlighting the huge impact that installation conditions have on the energy performance of systems.
Citing the untapped potential of ground source heat pumps (GSHP) and water source heat pumps (WSHP), the white paper shines a spotlight on the market in the UK, warning that it is currently underestimated by both manufacturers and installers. Geothermal energy offers a significant opportunity because the terrain is favourable in many regions, and many towns and cities are crossed by large rivers. From the homeowner installing a GSHP, to large scale commercial and industrial WSHP installations, the white paper drives home the message that this sustainable and highly efficient heating, cooling and domestic hot water solution is ideal for the UK market.
The revision of F Gas Regulations and development of low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants is also discussed. As is energy performance certification, which is key to enabling those specifying systems to choose the right product for every project. Covering MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) for heat pumps and Eurovent Certified Performance (ECP), the white paper confirms why certification is vital to ensuring the roll out of reliable, high performing heat pump systems.
Sylvain Courtey, President of Eurovent Certita Certification said:
While globally, we face all the challenges of decarbonisation, the UK’s previous reliance on gas means a swift and all-encompassing shift in energy and technology is required to meet net zero. Heat pumps, and in particular geothermal heat pumps, offer enormous potential and a solid solution to the UK’s heating dilemma. While that does not come without substantial challenges, vast benefits can be harnessed by installing optimally designed and installed heat pumps, which perform exactly as expected
