Modern Building Services

14 MODERN BUILDING SERVICES MARCH 2021 FEATURE HEATING HEATING L ast year, in a landmark moment on the road to net zero, the UK became the first major economy in the world to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050. Since then, the government has introducedmany incentives and support mechanisms to help businesses, people and the public sector reduce and offset emissions. This includes the Clean Heat Grant, which will see the investment of £100 million to reduce carbon emissions from energy intensive businesses through a wide range of programmes, including revolutionary heat networks and a programme to bring down the cost of retrofitting buildings with the latest energy efficiency technologies such as heat pumps. According to a recent report from the Carbon Trust, heat pumps have the potential to deliver CO2 savings of 60-70% compared to conventional electric heating and 55-65% compared to an A-rated gas boiler. So how does this technology work, what benefits can it bring and how might building owners and facilities managers overcome the challenges of transitioning to this energy efficient alternative? Understanding the benefit of heat pumps Air source heat pumps take heat from the air and give it a boost, achieving a higher temperature using less energy than the heat it produces. It only requires electricity and water connections, is easy to install and can be situated outside of the building. In short, this technology has long been embraced for its ability to offer a renewable heat incentivisation, a reduction in running costs, increased efficiencies, and a pathway to a cleaner, greener future. They are therefore an attractive solution for anyone looking to reduce energy consumption within a building, and are increasingly becoming the first choice for building managers planning renovations, because they are designed for retro-fitting, and suitable for almost any space. They are even able to work alongside existing heating systems in a hybrid situation if required. Alongside these immediate benefits, the CarbonTrust report also found that as the grid decarbonises further in coming decades, the carbon savings delivered by heat pumps are expected to increase further towards 90-100%CO2 emissions reduction by 2050. James Smurthwaite , Business Development Manager, Mitsubishi Electric looks at helping the UK meet its net zero ambitions through eco alternatives in commercial heating Net Zero – a landmark moment