EHPA slams MEPs vote on F-Gas phase-out

On Wednesday, 1 March 2023, the EU’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) voted to fasttrack the phasedown of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) in a number of applications, including heat pumps. According to the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), this position represents a ban on equipment containing F-gases, in some cases as early as 2026.

“MEPs should not slam down both the accelerator and the brake pedals at once,” says Thomas Nowak, Secretary General of the European Heat Pump Association. “The EU needs to decarbonise and get off fossil fuels in heating with top priority. It has recognised heat pumps as the solution – so, the road ahead needs to be cleared of obstacles, not blocked off. The industry is committed to the safe handling of refrigerants and the transition to refrigerants with a low global warming potential, with the aim of reaching zero emissions through heat pump technology by 2050.”

According to the EHPA, the impact the ENVI’s vote would have on heat pumps clashes with the EU’s decarbonisation and energy security ambitions – as well as with the REPowerEU targets – which call for annual hydronic heat pump sales to double, with 10 million additional units to be sold by early 2027.

Extrapolating the underlying growth rate to air-to-air heat pumps, which play a significant role in decarbonising heating and cooling in the Nordics and the

Mediterranean, EHPA calculates that there will be 60 million more heating (air-to-air, hydronic) and hot water heat pumps installed in Europe by 2030, on top of the 2021 stock of 17 million units.

Support from heat pump sector

The heat pump sector has pledged to support the shift from F-gases to natural refrigerants whenever possible and has already achieved significant progress in the monobloc outdoor unit segment. The implementation of new product standards and building codes will also play a crucial role in this transition.

However, the EHPA says that the ENVI’s position on an accelerated phase-out fails to consider current manufacturing and installation capacity. It risks significantly limiting the number of heat pumps available in certain market segments, pushing consumers back to fossil fuels, with far worse consequences for health and the planet.

More granular approach

Therefore, EHPA calls for a more granular approach and timeline to allow the heat pump industry to deliver on the REPowerEU objectives. “Every heat pump is better for the climate and energy security than a gas boiler, and when every day counts on the road to decarbonisation, speeding this up must be the utmost priority,” added Jozefien Vanbecelaere, Head of EU Affairs at the European Heat Pump Association. “We urge MEPs in plenary to put climate action and energy security first by enabling more and more heat pumps to be plugged in across Europe.”

The Parliament’s vote was expected during the 29-30 March plenary session.

Course Description

The aim of this course is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to design, install and commission domestic heat pump systems in a safe and competent manner and in accordance with appropriate legislation, regulations and standards. Successful candidates will meet the training criteria to register as an installer with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

Course Content

Induction.

Introduction to Heat Pump Technology.

Principles of Heat Pump Operation.

Course Certification

On successful completion of this programme learners will receive a: QQI Level 6 Component Certificate in Heat Pump Systems (6N5646).

Course Duration

This is a 5 day full time course. In addition self directed learning will be an important part of this course and is required in preparation for the practical and theory exams.

Course Materials

All course materials will be supplied.

Who Should attend?

Please refer to the learner entry requirements. This course is particularly suited to Craftspersons who currently install domestic heat pumps and want to become registered installers with the SEAI.

Learner Entry Requirements

Learners must hold as a minimum the National Craft Electrician.

Aptitude: Good verbal and written command of the English language is required.

Site & System Suitability for Heat Pump Installation.

Installation of Heat Pump Systems & Controls.

Commissioning & Maintenance of Domestic Heat Pump.

Funding

You may qualify for funding under the Skills to Advance Initiative (STA). STA is a SOLAS Initiative in partnership with WWETB and supported by Government.

Courses ongoing in Wexford

2023

For further details contact 086 0787057 or email: hp@wwetb.ie

The ARISE project has developed a qualification framework of sustainable energy skills leveraged by digitalisation, including building information modelling (BIM).