Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES MAY 2021 13 FEATURE HEATING We will no doubt see a hybrid approach applied in the early days. It will be challenging to adapt older commercial buildings to heat pumps without significant time and cost. Buildings based on air heating systems might be able to adapt easier, but otherwise it will be difficult because of the operating temperatures required for a non-air system. Hybrids again provide an answer using a mix of natural gas and hydrogen gas. A hybrid reduces the amount of building and heating system upgrades, helping to reduce disruption. There is a similar dilemma in domestic properties. Although heat pumps will be an effective technology for new builds, older properties would require significant and costly changes. For example; fitting a hot water cylinder where there was once a combi boiler, so a lower-cost, lower-disruption Hybrid system can be a solution. The country’s future heating strategy may well align to a mix of heat pumps, hybrids and increasingly hydrogen. Trials and showcases such as the recently announced Hydrogen House project in Gateshead are fast- tracking the technology and hope to show how safe it is to use for heating and cooking. If trials are successful and innovation at the supply end can help meet demand then hydrogen will certainly address many of the practical problems posed by heat pumps including those which I’ve discussed today. I see it ultimately taking over from natural gas, with lower emission benefits for the planet. Decarbonising heat is a huge challenge, and there is no single solution to all situations. Maintaining choice from the range of decarbonisation options is something that should be kept in mind as we continue this journey towards net zero.