Heat Pumps

Posted by Atoll Ltd on 23rd July 2021 -

Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined on 18th November 2020 his Ten Point Plan for a new Green Industrial Revolution that will create a range of sustainable outputs as well as 250,000 new jobs. Point 7 of this includes his target to install 600,000 heat pumps every year by 2028. Whilst this huge prediction has been been met with a mixture of excitement and trepidation among industry professionals like the Heat Pump Federation and Ground Source Heat Pump Association , it must be seen as overdue, and will undoubtedly help the UK’s built environment industry combat climate change and contribute towards the slow move towards net zero and targets set by the Paris Agreement. The news also comes on the back of the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme being extended by a year to March 2022.

But what, you might ask, is a Heat Pump? Well the Energy Saving Trust has a useful webpage with some introductory video guides that help explain that, and particularly in comparing and evaluation Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) against Ground Souce Heat Pumps (GSHP). Also, with financial support schemes such as the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Green Homes Grant Scheme, installing a renewable heating system like a Heat Pump at home is becoming ever more cost effective.

In short, Heat Pumps are an effective and energy efficient way to create hot water to heat your home. They work by absorbing heat from a mass source and transferring it to a liquid, which is then compressed to increase the temperature further. The heat is transferred from the liquid into water which is used to provide heating for a property, either through radiators or underfloor heating.

The main difference between the two main types of heat pumps is simply where they get heat from: ASHPs absorb heat from the outside air, whereas GSHPs absorb heat from the ground – from a heat exchange with either vertical ‘bore holes’ or through horizontal ‘ground loops’. If a business or home happens to have on-site access to ground water, there is also the option of the Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP).

Atoll Architecture can help advise you explore a range of energy efficient measures for your new home or extension, from simple cost neutral technology utilising good practice and energy-efficient materials, through to more complex eco system considerations such as Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps. Over the last 13 years, Atoll have helped design and install four new Air Sounce Heating Pumps that heat both swimming pool hall and pool hot water and one Ground Source Heat Pump for a new build house that provides both space heating, domestic hot water and swimming pool water heating.

Check out the advice from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and download their various free guides, including their information and advocacy on the benefits of Working With an Architect on Your Home .

Ian Banks has been a Chartered RIBA Architect now for over 30 years, and would be delighted to assist you. Call him now on 07717710014 or email him at [email protected] .

Further information and guides are also accessible on Atoll Blogs on The Landsite, Houzz Pro website for Atoll Architecture.