ACR Journal

CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai acrjournal.uk 41 HEAT PUMPS perfect low-carbon heating solution, helping customers to move away from fossil fuels whilst diversifying their own revenue streams at the same time. Towards net zero Considering that the majority of household carbon emissions come from heating, it is unsurprising that decarbonising heat in domestic properties forms a core part of the journey to achieve net zero. Heat pumps have zero emissions at point-of-use and meet both heating and hot water needs, so by using this low- carbon technology, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels for our homes. The electricity used to power the units is increasingly being produced via renewable and low carbon means, helping to make a dierence in the fight against climate change. In addition, the absence of combustion in heat pumps means that they help reduce air pollution, adding to the already long list of reasons why the heat pump market is expected to experience significant growth. As innovations continue to push the performance envelope of heat pumps further, there are more opportunities ahead to make heat pumps even more energy ecient and sustainable. For example, the refrigerant R290, which is already commonly used in many parts of our daily life, has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just 3 – which is 696 times lower than R410a. This GWP rating means that every tonne of R290 used is equivalent to only 3 tonnes of carbon emissions from CO 2 , resulting in a much lower carbon footprint. Moreover, the use of R290 allows a high flow temperature of 75°C from the heat pump which means that domestic hot water is stored in the cylinder at a useable temperature without the need for a backup heater. Changing landscape With pledges from the Government to ‘build back better and greener’ from coronavirus, this year may mark a turning point. Financial incentives designed to help overcome the economic barriers to making our homes more sustainable, such as the Green Homes Grant and the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, are resulting in an increased interest from consumers in heat pumps. What we now need are more installers on the ground to help hit the Government’s target of installing 600,000 units per year, incentivising installers to invest in training in this area of technology. Making the transition With all the above elements coming together, now is the right time to make the transition to the burgeoning heat pumps market. As a manufacturer, we want to support installers throughout this step change and help their businesses to grow in the process. At Vaillant we oer a range of training courses on low carbon heating technologies which are designed specifically to take installers from zero to heat pump hero. We have six basic modules, which can be taken in isolation, but also fit together seamlessly. Starting from an introductory course, explaining the workings of a heat pump and the reasons and rationale for decarbonisation; modules then cover specifying and installing a heat pump. We also oer a further five modules that expand on this learning to cover more technical topics including natural refrigerants and split systems. To further support installers on their journey, we oer extensive training on designing and installing our heat-pump heating systems. We also work with industry bodies such as CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Heating and Plumbing Engineering) and HPA (Heat Pump Association) to ensure that installers can obtain the knowledge and competencies needed to deliver quality installations. Conclusion With the growth in the heat pump market, and support from manufacturers, now is the time to play an active role in the decarbonisation of heat and take those first steps into heat pump installations. With many of those working in the industry already having sound experience of working with systems with refrigerants, making the move into heat pumps is likely to be a natural progression. Not only could this help to diversify their businesses, but also play an important role in getting the country to reach net zero emissions by 2050. 1. https://commonslibrary.parliament . uk/research-briefings/cbp- 7671/#:~:text=Estimates%20have%20 put%20the%20number,increased%20 by%20around%20241%2C000%20homes 2. https://www.delta-ee.com/delta-ee-blog/ uk-heat-pump-market-likely-to-double- by-2025.html