Heat pumps play vital role in emissions reduction targets

In a new report suggesting the UK will fail to meet its carbon emissions target, the Government Committee on Climate Change criticised inadequate investment in heat pumps, described as an important option for meeting carbon budgets.

According to the Committee on Climate Change, the UK is not on track to meet carbon budgets and suggests it will be necessary for Government to develop and implement further policy measures over the next two years to meet its commitments. Calling on the government to extend the Renewable Heat Incentive to the residential sector and ensure funding beyond 2015, it suggests allowing the Green Deal finance scheme to cover up-front costs of purchasing heat pumps. Current incentives are described as weak.

Uptake of low-carbon heat in buildings remains very low, at 2% penetration in 2012 compared to 12% envisaged in the  Government’s 2020 Renewable Energy Action Plan. The vast majority of low-carbon heat in buildings is due to use of biomass, with very limited investment in heat pumps.

“This is of concern, given the important role for heat pumps in meeting future carbon budgets,” says the report. The Committee says policy should be aimed at addressing a range of financial and non-financial barriers.

“It is essential the Renewable Heat Incentive is now extended and funded beyond 2015, that Green Deal finance is allowed to cover the up-front cost of purchasing heat pumps, and options to address non-financial barriers are considered.” High upfront costs can be a barrier to uptake and the Committee recommends Green Deal finance be made available in conjunction with the RHI to cover at least the additional costs of renewable heat investment compared to conventional alternatives.

The majority of air conditioning systems installed by Andrews Air Conditioning Services incorporate ‘air-to-air’ heat pump technology, which enables the refrigeration cycle to operate ‘in reverse’, utilising energy from the external environment to produce useful heat which is then distributed indoors. For more information about how your summer air conditioning can also provide clean, cost-effective winter heating, visit  https://www.airconditioningservices.com/info/heat-pump-technology/