In the latest of our spotlight series in partnership with The Heat Pump Association, Michelle Eastty from the elemental team speaks to Neil Hope, Head of Technical Services at NIBE Energy Systems Ltd, about climate solutions for the home.
1) Why did NIBE become of a member of the Heat Pump Association and what are the benefits of being involved?
NIBE has been a long-term member of the Heat Pump Association, and I have been actively involved since joining the company in 2011. Being a member provides an opportunity to influence government policy in a positive way.
This benefits the heat pump industry and relevant stakeholders, including not just manufacturers but also installers and consumers. The HPA is committed to providing guidance for consumers on heat pump technology, and is continuously working to provide relevant information on the website.
As a manufacturer, NIBE benefits from HPA updates. This helps us inform our customer base -particularly our NIBE Pro Installer Base – whether in relation to government schemes, technical updates, or policy and legislation.
I represent NIBE across many aspects of the HPA, but we are also proud to have our managing director, Phil Hurley as the current chair of the association. Phil works exceptionally hard in this role, as he did in his previous one as vice-chair, and it really reflects his passion for the industry.
2) What are the key benefits of heat pump technology?
Heat pumps provide carbon savings, helping us to meet carbon reduction targets. Emissions from domestic heating are some of the largest in the UK, and we know that these need to be driven down to reach net zero by 2050.
As a society we’re now very conscious of the need to reduce our carbon emissions, both collectively and individually. And heat pumps are a proven way of doing that.
Particularly in new build applications and property renovations, there are set planning conditions related to energy reduction. Added to that, the energy market is currently very volatile, with changing tariffs and the forthcoming energy price cap in place from April 2022, expected to affect millions of households on out-of-contract tariffs.
Heat pumps can provide savings in energy and running costs for consumers. There are advantages for running heat pump systems at lower temperatures, providing a more consistent and even heat throughout the home. Also, heat pumps offer energy and hot water energy storage, offering flexibility on the tariffs.
Specific to NIBE products, our control systems are able to integrate with other technologies within the home that provide climate comfort, such as mechanical ventilation and heat recovery and cooling.
These are things that fossil fuel appliances aren’t typically geared up to do. As our heat pump technology incorporates heating, cooling, ventilation and hot water, we can look after the complete climate within the home.
3) What heat pump technology innovations does NIBE offer? For example, can you tell me about the launch of the NIBE S-series and how it’s changing the industry? Also, can you tell me about your offering that combines heat pumps with solar photovoltaics (PV) and benefits of that?
With our NIBE S-series, the product innovation is as much about how the homeowner interacts and controls their heat pump as it is about the technology itself.
The series crucially integrates with other technologies within the home that are directly connected to the indoor climate be it cooling, ventilation and hot water as well as heating.
It allows the homeowner to control the heat pump in a way that suits their lifestyle, integrating with other applications through smart automation.
Another technology we offer is solar PV integration, which offers consumers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint by powering their heating system using free energy from the sun.
Solar PV can help to cover the electricity consumption of heat pumps, removing any worries the household may have around rising electricity prices. The NIBE S-series is wholly compatible with solar PV, without the need for third party accessories. We have our own PV panels as well, so we offer a complete system.
4) What do you think about The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) coming to an end and what would you like to see going forward?
The RHI scheme has largely been successful, particularly with regards to domestic renewable heating centres. Perhaps deployment could have been greater, but overall, it was well received.
5) What are your thoughts on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), aiming to launch in spring this year? How would you like to see it work? Are you supporting installers to get involved, and would you like to see more funding available?
We’re close to its potential launch, but clarity has been a challenge. The industry has relied on government subsidy through the RHI. It wasn’t as well known by the general population, whereas the failed Green Homes Grant -as badly orchestrated as that was- did generate a lot of publicity.
Hopefully, BUS will create similar awareness, with the correct administration. The industry would have welcomed more funding, but it should be a good springboard for the continued installation of heat pumps into residential retrofit properties.
We regularly update our installers with regards to the policy, helped through our involvement in the HPA, providing information on what might be required contractually through MCS certification and technical requirements.
NIBE also provides a route for installers to become an MCS certified help pump installer. This helps new installers get involved as well as our existing ones.
6) Can you tell me about your NIBE Pro installer partnership scheme and how this helps installers in the industry to expand their understanding of heat pump technology?
We’ve always had an installer scheme, and we launched our new NIBE Pro installer partnership scheme in 2021. It has two elements to it.
Firstly, if the installer is already MCS certified and looking to work alongside NIBE, we provide training for the relevant company to help them understand the benefits of our products, how they are installed, and how they integrate with other technologies.
The other side of it focuses on installers who are potentially completely new to heat pumps and don’t hold any industry certification. We provide a streamlined route for them to get their industry recognised qualifications and MCS certification.
We provide support with design of systems and being compliant with the MCS standards and site visits to help them with their first commissions. Crucially, NIBE Pro installers can redeem the costs of the training against the future purchase of NIBE products – meaning that they can gain an industry-recognised mark of quality at no long-term expense.
We’ve also recently enriched the training scheme by launching our new Pro portal, providing installers with best-in-class technical information and training, marketing support and comprehensive installation history. We’re really excited to be supporting installers on their journeys.
7) What factors need to be considered when recommending and installing a heat pump system?
One of the main factors is ensuring that a heat pump system is sized correctly, with a proper heat loss calculation of the building. This influences everything else. Once the heat pump is sized closely to this calculation, other factors need to be considered.
This includes the electricity supply, and the heat distribution – including radiators existing and new. Location is also important.
Heat pumps are getting quieter, but consideration needs to be given to placement, just as it does with a gas boiler and its flue. Hot water also needs to be considered, as some form of thermal energy storage is required to allow the transfer and storage of heat energy from water or cold air.
8) NIBE is exhibiting at InstallerSHOW 2022 which will be co-located with our debut elemental expo. What are the primary reasons/benefits of being involved?
The event is a great opportunity for us to showcase our products. Over the last few years it’s been difficult to get face time with people, for obvious reasons, so this is a chance for us to meet new installers and also those we’ve been interacting with through other means, including online. It’s also an opportunity to collaborate with the wider industry.
9) Do you think we are on course to meet the government’s heat pump targets of 600,000 a year by 2028?
When the Boiler Upgrade Scheme was announced, it appeared that the funding provision would keep heat pumps at the level they are at now, so the targets didn’t seem feasible. However, the government also has an aim to build approximately 350,000 new homes per year, and policy has recently been put in place to require heating systems in new builds to operate at a lower flow temperature.
Combined with carbon targets, this puts heat pumps in a strong position across new build. On that basis, I would say it’s still an achievable goal. There’s a lot of work to do, and the HPA and other organisations are continuing to support the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy with the development of policy. There’s also the off-gas grid market, which provides opportunities for deployment of heat pumps.
10) What do you want to see from the government to hit these goals?
A lot of work has been done by trade associations to support the government in developing clear and robust policies on carbon reduction and the deployment of heat pump technology.
What I’d like to see next is a focus on the retrofit standards within properties. The Future Building Standards that have already been proposed need to be enforced, with compliance from builders and developers.
There also needs to be a focus on improving heating standards in retrofit installations. Gas boilers may still be being installed in retrofit, but these must be designed to run efficiently to hit carbon reduction targets.
11. Anything else you’d like to mention?
Training must be a focus for installers and there are a number of initiatives available to them. Last summer, the HPA launched an updated qualification for heat pumps, which was welcomed by the Secretary of State.
These courses are available across the HPA membership, and there is potential to upskill over 40,000 installers per year at maximum capacity.
The courses, including our own NIBE Pro scheme, are designed to support tradespeople looking to upskill in heat pumps and gain an industry recognised qualification in heat pumps so that they can play a part in delivering low carbon heat to homes across the country.
When it comes to systems design, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing Engineers has launched a Low temperature and Hot Water course. In combination, these qualifications will provide installers with a solid base to install heat pumps domestically. NIBE is proud to be a member of the HPA and at the forefront of this hard work.
For more information about NIBE, please visit: www.nibe.co.uk
For more information about the Heat Pump Association, please visit: www.heatpumps.org.uk
