heat pumps to replace gas heating

[3710jack]

has ther been any research as to the effects of replacing every gas boiler with a heat pump (for efficiency and renewability)
what would the effects be of
-burning millions of cubic meters less of gas (assuming renewable or nuclear energy)
also, what would the effect be of drawing all of this heat out of the atmosphere and storing it in houses so to speak.
could this offset some global temperature change- we are talking gigawatts of heat here......

[Contactor]

1. politics
2. bull****
3. money
4. oil

[Contactor]

4 reasons why heat pumps aren't saving the world!

[desA]

Heat-pumps make sense in terms of reduction of energy bill. The fact that COP's in the range of 4-5 are perfectly achievable (AWHP), means that there is an overall reduction in the energy input required to provide an end-use heating effect.

In addition, moving the control of pollution to the electricity provider, means that there is less opportunity for local pollution from unsafe local heat-sources.

The use of ANY heat-production process to reduce reliance on burning fossil fuels, will be good for society in general & should make sound economic sense, if managed properly.

[Thermatech]

In Japan the government have been encouraging the use of domestic air to water heat humps for domestic hot water for some years now.
The major manufacturers have been developing C02 refrigerant air to water domestic heat pumps for about 10 years & have sold millions in Japan.

It is part of a long term stratagy deployed by Japan government to reduce energy consumption.

Google ECO CUTE heat pumps & you can find lots of information.

Of course manufacturers will always tend to talk up any percieved avantage of products.

I read one report by the International Energy Agency which was estimating that 1.2 billion tons or aprox 6% of worlds CO2 emissions could be elliminated if 30% replacement of existing boilers with heat pump technology.

[desA]

Its not just the CO2 savings, or even most of the green focus - it's more about cost savings & domestic safety.

Any fuel-fired heater has the chance to go wrong & cause serious harm. CO, NOx, SOx et al emissions are surely an issue, as are other emission pollutants.

Heat pumps & renewable energy sources are the sensible, responsible solution, in many cases.