20 August 2024
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Corey Gooding, Strategic Account Manager at Baxi
Increasing the uptake of heat pumps is vital to accelerate the transition to clean heat, but inaccurate criticism could be deterring homeowners from making the switch. Corey Gooding, Strategic Account Manager at Baxi, talks to one couple about the reality of life with a heat pump.
With a national target for net-zero emissions enshrined in law, the direction for travel for heating and hot water in UK buildings is clear. And heat pumps, along with heat networks and hybrid or multivalent heating systems, are seen as the favoured technologies to support the shift from fossil fuels to cleaner, low-carbon heat. But if we are to keep on track for 2050 net zero, it is important we actively encourage the uptake of heat pumps and that means dispelling any false criticisms. One couple who can set the record straight is Jonathan and Emma Sayes who have been living with a heat pump since last December.
Quiet, comfortable and effective
When Jonathan and Emma Sayes began designing their 2,600 sq ft three-bedroom house in Peasenhall, Suffolk, deciding on the best heating system for their new home was key, as with any property build. Like a third of properties in the county, their self-build is off the mains gas network, so a renewable heating system seemed the natural solution to providing energy-efficient heating and hot water. A local heat pump installer, Luke Nichols from Renew East, worked closely with heating and hot water specialist Baxi to fit one of its latest ASHP solutions. “Discussing our options with Renew East,” said Jonathan, “a heat pump seemed the obvious sustainable choice for heating and hot water in the type of home we were building.”
The installation
As an experienced heating engineer, Luke knew he needed to select a solution that would deliver high comfort levels while maximising energy efficiency and carbon-saving capabilities. After carrying out detailed heat loss calculations on the property, Luke recommended the Baxi HP-40 11kW ASHP with a 250-litre hot water cylinder. The solution feeds underfloor heating, which can emit 11kW of heat even on the coldest days of British winter. The system control panel has a user-friendly interface which aided the commissioning process by allowing Luke and his team to view the performance of the outside unit from within the property. At the same time, the heat pump’s connection to Baxi’s uSense smart room thermostat ensures Jonathan and Emma have complete control over the temperature in their home.
Myth 1: heat pumps don’t work in cold weather
The family moved into their home in December and have spent the subsequent months living with an air source heat pump (ASHP). The first of the criticisms levelled at heat pumps that has proved utterly false is that they supposedly don’t work in cold weather. “It’s been great!” said Jonathan. “We’ve found it to be really effective - even in the cold winter months.” It’s well established that the Nordic countries have the highest heat pump uptake in Europe – and the coldest climates. And that’s for a reason. Even when outside temperatures drop to as low as -20C, ASHPs like Baxi’s can still heat your home effectively.
Myth 2: ASHPs won’t be able to keep homes warm
Related to the previous myth is the misplaced notion that heat pumps will not be able to keep a home warm. In fact, the opposite has proved the case for the Hayes family. While they have noticed a different style of heating, the result has been highly positive, as Emma explains. “A heat pump with underfloor heating has given us a more consistent type of space heating to previous properties we’ve owned with gas boilers,” she said. “There’s a really good distribution of heat throughout the house – no more hot spots or draughty areas – and the temperature has never dropped below a comfortable 18°C. Our programmed heat schedule means we are always comfortable and don’t even notice it is on.” Jonathan and Emma have complete control over the temperature in their home through the smartphone app which results in optimal, even space heating throughout the day as required.
Myth 3: ASHPs are noisy
Misguided discussion around noise levels from the outdoor unit of a heat pump can be a reason why some homeowners are reluctant to explore the solution. Having lived with the ASHP system through a cold winter, however, the Hayes family is pleasantly surprised to find that this is not an issue in their home. “We were a bit concerned that noise would be an issue, but in fact we hardly notice it’s on, even in the winter months,” Emma explained. “It’s actually quieter than the boiler in our previous house!” While ASHPs do generate some noise, due to the fan circulating air around the outdoor unit, the reality is that well-installed modern units like the Baxi ASHP are very quiet and barely noticeable.
Myth 4: ASHPs are expensive to run
Another potential perceived barrier for homeowners looking to introduce a heat pump into their home is the running cost. At the Hayes home, care has been taken to reduce heat loss as much as possible through insulation and air tightness to suit the low flow temperature of the heat pump solution. This has kept electricity consumption in the property to a minimum. Jonathan said: “It’s difficult to do a direct comparison of the energy costs of heating our new home and our old house, because the properties are different sizes, and we also need to exclude the cost of charging our electric car. But we’re confident that the monthly costs measure up well. The thermal efficiency of our home means the heating only really comes on when the outdoor temperature falls below 10°C. Providing the optimal conditions for a heat pump is key to achieving this, but with the right design and heat loss calculations, we have been able to heat our home very cost-effectively.” Experienced installers and heating solutions providers will be able to advise on the best approach for individual properties when installing ASHPs.
Support, training and guidance
To conclude, the new government faces an immediate challenge to address emissions reductions and set the groundwork for meeting Carbon Budget Five (2028-32) to keep the nation on track for 2050 net zero. Increasing the uptake of heat pumps to decarbonise UK buildings is key to achieving this. Educating homeowners on the benefits of heat pumps is vital, and manufacturers, heat pump solutions providers, and industry professionals have an important role to play in providing expert guidance and support. Top of the list is the need to provide comprehensive training courses designed to close the skills gap and help create a high standard of skills that will instill confidence in homeowners to make the change to clean heat. The aim should be to get installers comfortable using heat pumps – from initial design and application to installation guidance, commissioning, and supervision support. Where possible, the industry should also aim to simplify heat pump installations, as Baxi has set out to do by teaming up with Carno to offer its installers free access to sizing and heat loss calculation software. By providing support throughout the journey, we can make sure every system delivers on efficiency and comfort, debunking any remaining myths and making the transition to clean heat as straightforward as possible.
For more information, visit: www.baxi.co.uk/professional/products/ air-source-heat-pumps/baxi-hp40monobloc-air-source-heat-pump
