With all eyes on the city of London’s 2030 net-zero ambitions, facilities managers will have to start considering their role in reducing emissions and improving efficiencies. An important factor in achieving this could be the retrofitting of heat pumps.
Heat Pumps are the Future of Low Emission Heating Solutions
A report by the Carbon Trust said that heat pumps would play a critical role in tackling emissions from London’s buildings, but a rapid transition from gas to low-carbon heating solutions must start now if that goal is to be met.
It is predicted that 80% of buildings standing in London now will still exist in 2050, and retrofitting heat pumps is a long term commitment to reducing carbon emissions by up to 70 percent when compared to conventional electric heating.
Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust said:
“Buildings and heat have been identified by the Committee on Climate Change as key challenge areas for decarbonisation in the coming decades, and so the analysis and recommendations detailed in the report to promote low carbon solutions that are available now is very timely.”
Good Practice System Design is Essential
However, heat pumps are not a like-for-like replacement for gas boilers and conventional electric heating, and good practice system design will be essential to their effective use.
Heat pump installations will need to be scaled up rapidly across the UK in order to deliver on net-zero carbon targets, and facilities managers need to be aware that different heat pump technologies may be required from building to building.
Facilities Managers Must Be Mindful
There is a labour shortage that also needs addressing. While demand for the production of heat pump units is on track, there is a shortfall when it comes to meeting the demand for installation, servicing and repairs. This is something that facilities managers must be mindful of as they investigate these solutions.
Other factors to consider are the age and energy efficiency of the building stock, local geology and the relative density of nearby buildings.
Find an Expert
Consider partnering with an industry expert to help plan, install and maintain heat pump systems in your building.
At Voltix Services, our highly-experienced, directly-employed technicians are on hand to steer you in the right direction as you consider your options for carbon efficient, low emissions solutions for your business.
Contact us to find out how our bespoke approach to reducing costs and increasing performance can benefit your business.