Heat pump delay will help residents and government

The government’s decision to put back the date for homes to switch from boilers to installing heat pumps to 2035 will give householders and businesses more time to plan for this new technology.

It will also hopefully give the Labour cabinet an opportunity to make this move easier for residents and firms, said Midlands green energy expert Ron Fox.

“To show how big the problem is, only 60,000 heat pumps were put in last year while 1,800,000 boilers were sold in the last 12 months,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park.

He said an air source heat pump is an environmentally-friendly alternative to central heating. An outdoor unit harvests heat from the air outside and transfers it to an indoor unit, where it’s used to generate hot water which can then be used to heat the house, domestic water, radiators or under-floor heating.

The indoor unit uses heat from the air outside, whereas a conventional central heating boiler uses gas.

In simple terms, said Ron, an air source heat pump works a bit like a fridge, only in reverse.

Fridges help preserve food by removing the heat from the inside of the appliance and creating cool air which is then circulated to keep food fresh.

Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air and the heat pump compressor then increases the temperature to create heat.

He said the benefits of an air source heat pump were:

• Heats your home and your water.
• Reduces energy costs.
• Minimal maintenance.
• Lower carbon emissions.
• Heats and cools your conservatory meaning you can use it 365 days a year.
• This solution pays for itself after the first few years and is a great investment in your home.

But Ron said there was more the new government could do to help homes and businesses make this transmission.

Firstly, ministers could assist, or encourage, the energy companies to offer cheaper electricity tariffs to people with heat pumps.

Secondly, make the developers pay the first three years’ worth of energy bills for every new build house. This will then focus their attention on doing more than the bare minimum with insulation and renewable technologies.

“Thirdly,” said Ron, “I would recommend the introduction of a Recommended Retail Price for heat pumps and heat pumps installations.”
Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) people can get a £7,500 government grant towards the cost and installation of an air source heat pump. But all it has done is push up prices, said Ron. If, and only if, this Recommended Retail Price is met, you get the BUS grant.

“Finally,” said Ron, “it’s best to leave the installation of an air source heat to a certified installer. Attempting to install an air source heat pump yourself could lead to unwanted accidents or damage to your heat pump.”

For more details on switching to an air source heat pump call Ron on 0845 474 6641 or go to www.noreus.co.uk

Caption: The government “should do more to encourage the switch to air source heat pumps.”