Heat pumps standard

Development of heat pump standard now underway

Under Action 66 of the climate action plan, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is developing a national standard for the design and installation of heat pumps in new and existing dwellings.

Initially the plan was to focus on new-build but, following discussions between The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE), Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG), Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and NSAI, the scope of the standard was broadened to also include existing dwellings.

There is an increasing reliance on heat pumps in new homes in Ireland. Based on the Building Energy Rating (BER) database and Central Statistics Office (CS0) analysis, the percentage of new homes using heat pump technology as the main heating

The National Development Plan also sets out supports for changing oil-fired boilers to heat pumps in at least 170,000 homes. »

source is continually rising, with the figures for 2019 showing that a heat pump has been installed in 48% of new units.

The National Development Plan also sets out supports for changing oil-fired boilers to heat pumps in at least 170,000 homes and it is envisaged that the use of heat pumps in existing homes will also increase.

Technical Support It is against this background that the new standard is being developed with all stakeholders supporting and participating in the process. SEAI has committed to providing technical support to the project with Paul Martin, Programme Manager, Technical Standards Development at SEAI acting as Chair of the development committee. An external representative from Ricardo has also been appointed as Technical Expert/Secretary to support the development of the standard.

The standard will provide for the design, installation and commissioning of residential heat pumps in new and existing dwellings. The target audience is professionals and installers involved in the design, specification, installation and commissioning of heat pumps. It will build on the requirements in existing European standards and draw on guidance already available in the SEAI Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications, and the UK Microgeneration Certification Scheme.

The standard will cover all heat pump types and provide practical information and guidance for gas, water and air source heat pumps; exhaust air heat pump; double-duct heat pumps; gas absorption heat pumps; hybrid heat pumps; hot water only heat pumps, etc.

The standard is currently being developed and the intention is to present it for public consultation in the middle of 2020. Q