Renewable Energy – Air Source Heat Pumps
Air Source Heat Pumps Help Reduce Carbon Emissions
Air Source Heat Pumps [ASHP’s], bring leading edge technology to the battle for greener fuel solutions. Environmental experts and those who study global warming and its causes, feel that the pace of change to more sustainable forms of energy production must be escalated.
The UK government website states that :-
‘The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) recently announced that it will look at electrical, gas and hybrid heat pumps, marking the next phase of its Technological Innovation and Climate Change inquiry.
Heat pumps transport heat from one location (such as the air outside) to another (such as a hot water system inside) using a small amount of external energy, which is often electricity. The technology could play a major role in decarbonising heat, which in domestic, industrial and commercial settings currently accounts for over a third of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Committee on Climate Change has said that to meet the commitment to reach net-zero by 2050, 19 million heat pumps will need to be installed and that hybrid heat pumps should be widely used by 2035.
The Prime Minister has recently spoken on the role heat pumps could play in the ‘green industrial revolution’, and in its report, 80% of Climate Assembly UK members agreed that heat pumps should play a role in getting the UK to net-zero.’
Renewable Energy Targets
The theory that increased use of ASHP technology will help to reduce negative environmental effects is supported by The National Grid. They believe that unless take up of ASHP’s intensifies substantially, the UK will fail to deliver on renewable energy target commitments. Emission cuts of 80% by 2050 are mandated by the Climate Change Act, EU targets which are still legally binding despite Brexit.
In order to get the go ahead for new build homes, a concerted effort to include a minimum amount of green technology within the design is legally required. ASHP’s go a long way towards fulfilling this stipulation, along with solar and water saving technology.
Green, Energy Efficient Home Heating Systems
Air Source Heat Pumps are a popular choice for many, as they offer a cost effective way to heat the home, by using air from outside to heat water, radiators and underfloor heating. Extremely adequate hot water temperatures are possible even when temperatures outdoor are below freezing.
In order to encourage take up of this kind of technology, the government has put in place schemes such as the Renewable Heat Incentive [RHI]. This scheme allows homes which qualify to receive payments, and tariff rates have recently been increased.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe, the Minister helping to promote the scheme, said during a speech at the Policy Exchange; “The public cares a lot about having homes which are warm. We all like to be comfortable. More than that, a warm home provides important health benefits, especially for the most vulnerable in our society”. She went on to say; “Today, I am launching improvements to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme that will do more to encourage households and businesses to install electric heat pumps”.
Air Source Heat Pump Technology
When renewable sources like wind, water and the sun are utilised to produce energy, there is less emphasis on fossil fuel use, meaning cleaner energy. Even though ASHP’s do use an amount of electricity or gas, this is outweighed by the amount of green energy they produce.
Efficiency of over 100% can be achieved as they convey and upgrade existing heat rather than actually creating it. This makes them an incredibly environmentally friendly choice for the home or business, not to mention their highly affordable running costs.
High quality ASHP’s which are professionally installed and maintained deliver heat and hot water without causing negative impacts like climate change. SJB Mechanical & Building Services, are proud to supply and install systems from leading edge names like Mitsubishi Electric, Daiken and Samsung. These ASHP ranges are exceptionally reliable, efficient and cost effective, and ideal for any new build or refurbished home.