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Gas driven heat pumps : market potential, support measures and barriers to development of the UK market
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Critoph, Robert E. (2014) Gas driven heat pumps : market potential, support measures and barriers to development of the UK market. London, UK: Department of Energy and Climate Change.
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WRAP-gas-driven-heat-pumps-potential-barriers-development-UK-market-Critoph-2013.pdf - Published Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (1381Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...
Abstract
There are currently two domestic or near domestic gas heat pumps available in the EU. One is a nominal 38 kW ammonia-water machine manufactured by Robur in Italy and badged by a number of manufacturers. The other is a 10 kW water-zeolite adsorption unit made by Vaillant in Germany. Viessmann has a similar adsorption machine about to go on the market and is working on a second generation absorption machine that is physically much smaller. Other companies are working on gas-fired domestic heat pumps but are at an earlier stage of development.
The largest potential market for gas heat pumps is the UK. Gas heat pumps have the potential to take a share of the boiler replacement market which is around 1.4 million p.a. and of which 30% are system boilers rather than combi boilers. The route by which boilers pass from manufacturer to private householder is dominated (79%) by contractor/installers who buy from builders merchants and this must be the target route if there is to be a widespread uptake of gas heat pump technology. Important factors for the contractor/installer are: Familiarity with boiler (installed them before, received training from manufacturer, accredited installer) Easy and quick to install (weight/ fittings). Must be a ‘one man fit’. Good back-up support from manufacturer should there be a problem e.g. spares available The consumer’s main concerns are capital cost and efficiency. The limit on payback time for the average consumer is about three years. The new build or major refurbishment market is smaller than the retrofit but still significant (175,000 p.a.). In this case the contractor/installer has much less influence and codes / regulations play a greater role.
Specifier/Installer training is an important issue. MIS 3005 is being adapted for gas heat pumps and future products may not be so demanding in terms of installer competencies. Consumer behaviour is an issue, the UK consumer being wary of new technology. Capital cost is also important and inclusion of gas heat pumps within the RHI could tackle both issues.
Safety and noise, whilst of obvious importance are not seen as the main challenges.
Inclusion in the RHI with a suitable tariff is the most appropriate and effective means of support available. EN standards (safety and performance) for gas heat pumps exist and are presently being improved. The MCS is defining a minimum acceptable level of performance, together with the methodology for calculation. Eco Design for Energy Using Products (EuP) standards are still in the process of being drawn up.
Work on scenarios to 2050 suggest that gas may still have a place in the longer term and that (used in gas heat pumps) it might find most use in older and larger dwellings.
Item Type: | Report | ||||||
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Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor T Technology > TH Building construction |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Engineering > Engineering | ||||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Heat pump industry -- Great Britain, Heat pumps -- Great Britain | ||||||
Publisher: | Department of Energy and Climate Change | ||||||
Place of Publication: | London, UK | ||||||
Official Date: | 7 August 2014 | ||||||
Dates: |
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Number of Pages: | 26 | ||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | ||||||
Copyright Holders: | Department of Energy and Climate Change | ||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 15 January 2018 | ||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 15 January 2018 | ||||||
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant: |
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