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  1. #1
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    Heat pumps 'need tighter regulations'



    Article on BBC News site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11200063

    By Mark Kinver Science and environment reporter, BBC News
    A well-designed heat pump system can deliver carbon and financial savings, the report suggests


    Domestic heat pumps need to be subject to tighter regulations in order for them to deliver widespread energy savings, a report has concluded.
    The study called for better standards to ensure the technology consistently delivered energy savings.
    The devices transfer heat from the air or ground outside into a building, cutting the use of boilers or heaters.
    The study, described as the most comprehensive of its kind, was compiled by the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
    The EST said it decided to carry out the study, assessing data from 83 sites across the UK, because there was a general lack of data on the performance of the devices.
    "We have a responsibility to make sure that customers' investments are spent on measures that lead to the greatest potential to save carbon and reduce energy bills," said Simon Green, the EST's head of business development.
    The trial examined 54 ground source pumps and 29 air source pumps over a 12-month period, monitoring the devices' technical performance as well as the customers' experiences operating the technology.
    "It does demonstrate that the potential carbon savings from the technology are actually very good in the UK," Mr Green told BBC News.
    Potential savings
    He added that the properties that were likely to most benefit from the technology were homes that were not connected to the national gas network, and were currently using either oil or electricity heating systems.

    He said well-designed systems can operate effectively in the UK, delivering in excess of three units of heat for every unit of electricity used to pump the heat in and around the property.
    The report estimated that if all "off-gas" properties in the UK were fitted with a heat pump, it would save 10m tonnes of CO2 each year, and cut annual bills by as much as £1.5bn.
    Mr Green also said that prospective buildings should be well insulated to reduce the "heat load", the amount of heat the system needed to deliver in order to warm the property.
    However, he did add that a number of the sites included in the study did not perform well.
    "Indeed, there are probably a whole range of reasons for this," he explained.
    "Unlike conventional boilers, that you can retrofit relatively easily, heat pumps are very, very sensitive - it is imperative they are designed to heat the relative load; if they are undersized or oversized, then the efficiencies are significantly reduced."
    The EST report, which was compiled in association with the Open University, concluded that the simplest designs often delivered the highest efficiencies, but it did say that further studies were required on an installation-by-installation basis in order to learn more about what needs to be done in the future.
    The Trust is set to head a working group, including industry representatives and government officials, that will make recommendations on how training and installation standard can be improved.
    "Heat pumps will be a crucial component of our low-carbon future, provided they perform well," said David Mackay, the Department of Energy and Climate Change's chief scientific adviser.
    "It is therefore essential to conduct trials to establish best practice and perfect this technology for use in buildings throughout the UK."
    Almost half of the CO2 from homes in the UK are a result of space heating, while heating water accounts for more than a fifth of domestic emissions.
    Simon Green said there were a number of differences between the European and UK heat pump markets.
    "In Scandinavian countries, just one company will come and excavate the bore-hole, do the design, commissioning and plumbing - the whole thing," he observed.
    "In the UK, because it is an emerging market, the industry is much more fragmented so you will have a variety of contractors involved and this can raise a few issues, such as not getting a co-ordinated approach."
    Roger Nordman from the Swedish SP Technical Institute, who reviewed the EST trials, said domestic heat pumps were already well established in Sweden.
    "Some of the best performing sites in this project compared favourably with what has been monitored in other European countries," he explained.
    But, he added: "The major difference is that the UK has particularly old and inefficient housing stock.
    "The market is also more mature in the rest of Europe and installers have much more experience in installing the technology."
    Great that heat pumps are seen as being a positive and have a place in the future, but more regulation?! Surely that's the last thing we need to encourage uptake?
    Last edited by Andy_WSM; 09-09-2010 at 04:27 PM. Reason: formatting



  2. #2
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    Re: Heat pumps 'need tighter regulations'

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy_WSM View Post
    Article on BBC News site:


    Great that heat pumps are seen as being a positive and have a place in the future, but more regulation?! Surely that's the last thing we need to encourage uptake?
    "Unlike conventional boilers, that you can retrofit relatively easily, heat pumps are very, very sensitive - it is imperative they are designed to heat the relative load; if they are undersized or oversized, then the efficiencies are significantly reduced."
    Perhaps this is a clue?

  3. #3
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    Re: Heat pumps 'need tighter regulations'

    Quote Originally Posted by r.bartlett View Post
    Perhaps this is a clue?
    But does it REALLY need regulating?

    Those that pay no attention to heat load calculations now, will continue to not pay attention after it's regulated. Regulations cost money, over regulating stifles advancement.

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    Re: Heat pumps 'need tighter regulations'

    It's needed regulating for the last twenty years. Typical that we are still talking about it but not doing it. Anyone can still buy refrigerant and there are always posters on here asking how to install a unit. Its a joke.

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    Re: Heat pumps 'need tighter regulations'

    Regulation should not be used to falsely create/subdue an economic case...

    It serves only to 1) bring disrepute to regulation
    2) cause incorrect application

    Tax or financial (dis)incentives should only be used to kick start a socio-economically advantageous technology (if needed).

    Real and positive case studies are a much better model.

    Outlandish or disingenuous claims may mean one extra sell but will mean that the industry will have a very short shelf life.

  6. #6
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    Re: Heat pumps 'need tighter regulations'

    Market forces should weed out poorly-performing machines.
    Engineering Specialist - Cuprobraze, Nocolok, CD Technology
    Rarefied Technologies ( SE Asia )

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    Re: Heat pumps 'need tighter regulations'

    Quote Originally Posted by desA View Post
    Market forces should weed out poorly-performing machines.
    That is a complete misunderstanding of market forces..

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    Re: Heat pumps 'need tighter regulations'

    ^ How so?
    Engineering Specialist - Cuprobraze, Nocolok, CD Technology
    Rarefied Technologies ( SE Asia )

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    Re: Heat pumps 'need tighter regulations'

    @desA, when you say 'should' do you mean as in technically (laws of economics) or morally (in an ideal world)?

    Personally, (and the report eludes to this) a machine is just a machine... it's the application (including the users understanding of what they're buying), installation and commissioning that is the difference between a preforming and not-preforming job.

  10. #10
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    Re: Heat pumps 'need tighter regulations'

    You say a machine is just a machine but as with most things there are varying degrees of quality, this applies to heat pumps also.

    Does anyone actually know which units came out the best in the trials?

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