PHAM OCT21:Layout 1 01/10/2021 15:38 Page 1
OCTOBER 2021 | VOLUME 59 | ISSUE 8
phamnews.co.uk
The big costs and challenges of converting homes for net zero The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council has produced a new white paper that seeks to clarify the challenges and costs of converting UK homes over to low carbon technologies It is widely accepted that retrofitting homes with low carbon technologies, like heat pumps and hydrogen boilers, will be key to meeting the UK’s net zero targets. However, many of the different heating systems that circulate heat and hot water in properties are not currently appropriate for these emerging technologies. To outline where improvements need to be made and how different domestic systems can be aligned with the country’s long-term goals, the HHIC has launched an informative white paper entitled ‘Heating up to Net Zero’. It has been researched and written by members of the HHIC, the Hot Water Association (HWA) and the Manufacturers Association of Radiators and Convectors (MARC). It seeks to clarify what the challenges are, as well as what is required for them to be overcome. The document states that fewer than nine million UK homes now have a hot water storage appliance and many radiators may need to be replaced for the transition to high efficiency, low carbon
1.indd 1
used as a back-up during the coldest days of the year. However, it acknowledges that considerable work is needed to prepare legacy building stock for a net zero economy, and that the transition will be prohibitively expensive and disruptive for many people. For that reason, it is argued that low temperature heating systems with existing boilers and upgrades to system pipework and controls, which would deliver 6% to 8% efficiency improvements, shouldn’t be overlooked.
Inside this issue Energy matters See page ˚˟
Product news See page ˞˚
Installer training heating systems. Also, some five million homes built in the last ˜˙ years contain microbore pipework that may not be suitable for such upgrades. The paper also highlights the need for greater public awareness and installer training.
More support Stewart Clements, director of the HHIC, comments: “Homeowners need support to ensure they can plan and upgrade their heating and hot water systems. This will ultimately come down to government initiatives, which is where the white paper aims to provide a framework for formulating new policy. “A mix of low carbon technology along with lower temperature heating systems will be required to meet the government’s target of net zero by ˛˙˞˙. As most replacement heating appliances are due to a distressed purchase,
there is a tendency for the rest of the system to be forgotten.” One of the key examples given in ‘Heating up to Net Zero’ is that many homeowners are currently removing hot water cylinders. However, these are needed for the supply of hot water if a low temperature heat generator, such as a heat pump, is to be fitted in the future. Replacing old cylinders with better insulated and controlled models that incorporate high recovery heat exchangers and are suitable for low temperature/low carbon systems should be incentivised by a simpleto-understand government scheme. The paper highlights that hybrid approaches could be an effective way to accelerate the move to low carbon heating, with a smart control system ensuring that the most suitable technology is used. It is argued that a heat pump would satisfy the majority of a home’s heating demand, with the existing gas boiler only being
Aside from a focus on the heating system, the HHIC has also drawn attention to the critical role of installer training because they are the main point of contact with the homeowner. The report says that for both those entering the industry, and for individuals who already possess a wealth of experience, getting to grips with new technology will be vital in overall successful implementation. Stewart concludes: “There are many challenges ahead, but also a number of opportunities, not least in providing extensive retraining for the UK installer base. The ‘Heating up to Net Zero’ paper looks at these in detail, highlighting the different ageing systems that circulate heat and hot water in our homes, and aims to ensure they are adequately covered by future government policy.” Download a copy of the white paper by using the online readerlink below: ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˙˛˚̓˙˚
COMPETITION Set of press jaws and ƩŶŶĢłėŭ Ŷŋ ðā ƒŋł̉ See page ˞˜
01/10/2021 11:48
