Heat Pumps Today

19 Haier Europe Applied Product Manager Martyn Nichols explains what effect an updated MCS Microgeneration Installation Standard 3005 will have on contractors. More change for installers Legislation is arriving thick and fast to help shape our ambitions to achieve a low carbon future. It can sometimes be a challenge for installers to keep up to date on what’s happening as the Government sets its sights on changing the way we heat and cool our homes and workplaces but moving with the times is exactly what we should do as the heat pump installation market begins to have greater influence. The latest piece of legislation kicked into gear from April 1 when there was a subtle but important change to the building regulations. The MCS Microgeneration Installation Standard 3005 has been modified and updated – and this aƒects heat pump installers. MCS 3005 From April 1 this year onwards MCS 3005 is split into two. There are now separate design and installation sides to the standard. In doing this the Government wants specialists to have a greater say when dealing face to face with the customer. By splitting the design and installation side it is hoped that the burden on the installer will also be reduced. I can see the positives in this but it does though raise the potential for conflict between www.acrjournal.uk/heat-pumps L E G I S L A T I O N the two parties. So, my advice to installers and designers is to make sure you have a working knowledge of both aspects of the new standard. The good news for existing installers already assessed for installation and design work under MCS 3005 before April 1 is that they can carry on as normal. The changes only aƒect those new to the industry. Existing contractors who earned their living fitting heat pumps under the old Renewable Heat Incentive which ended in March will also be unaƒected. Changing the hearts and minds of the customer may still be a tricky task in some quarters but like it or not the days of the fossil-fuelled boiler are slipping by rapidly. The installation of gas and oil boilers in new builds is outlawed from 2025 and the Government has made no secret of the fact that it wants to be ahead of Europe in the race to be carbon neutral. The financial pressures forced upon the economy by the pandemic may put a break on some Government targets but there is little doubt that more and more people are waking up to the issues caused by climate change. Heat pumps are an easy answer to our low carbon needs. Running on low GWP refrigerant R32 – like the Haier Super Aqua range – and coupled with superb energy e’ciencies, the heat pump is gaining in popularity as the cost of fossil fuelled heating systems continues to increase alarmingly. Rising energy bills Hardly a day goes by without a headline story about rising energy bills. Economies of scale production wise will push down the price of heat pumps as their popularity with installers and end users grows. Soon boilers will only be bought for the retrofit market but here demand will eventually dwindle as low carbon technologies begin to take the centre ground. Fewer boilers will be manufactured year on year and their price will go up as the cost of the heat pump comes down. Haier Super Aqua air to water heat pumps use free renewable energy from outside as a heat source for cooling, heating and hot water. This ticks all the boxes by reducing energy consumption, running costs and CO 2 emissions compared to conventional oil and gas boilers. Combined with better insulation and low temperature radiators in our homes and workplaces there will be ample room for the heat pump industry to blossom. The domestic retro market may be slower to adapt but with more government legislation likely to force us to change trains heating and cooling wise I can only see us all travelling in one direction. Martyn Nichols, Haier Europe Applied Product Manager