On 6th August 2020 we ran a Living with Renewables webinar for people interested in finding out more about heat pumps and the renewable heat challenge. We were very grateful to our speakers Kate Watson (Centre for Sustainable Energy), Stuart Bell (Mitsubishi) and Keith Goverd, a householder with personal experience of heat pumps.
Here are recordings of the presentations and panel session:
Kate Watson (Centre for Sustainable Energy)
Stuart Bell (Mitsubishi Electric Living Environmental Systems UK)
Keith Goverd (Domestic Heat Pump User)
Further information:
- Centre for Sustainable Energy: Overview.
- The Heat Pump Association: Overview and technical briefings.
- Mitsubishi top air source heat pump FAQ, including payback calculator. See also the Mitsubishi technical library.
- Regen’s Pump up the Volume article (August 2019) includes a review of the potential for future cost reductions.
From 2023 gas boilers will no longer be installed in new homes.
BWCE’s Flex Community is recruiting participants who are interested in installing heat pumps linked to the electricity grid via smart technology to enable energy demand to be shifted to different times when required. Ultimately, this will enable more renewable energy to be installed on the grid.
Grants
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). This provides grant support for ground and air source heat pumps, solar thermal water heating and biomass boilers and stoves. It is paid quarterly for 7 years following installation. See details including payback calculator, requirements and application form here. The domestic scheme will close to new applicants on 31 March 2022.
Green Homes Grant (GHG). This covers up to two thirds of the cost of qualifying energy improvements, up to a maximum of £5000. “Primary measures” are insulation (solid and cavity walls, underfloor, loft) and low carbon heat (ground and air source heat pumps, solar thermal water heating, and biomass boilers). You can’t get a grant for a secondary measure, such as upgrading windows and doors, draughtproofing and heating controls, unless you have already applied for a primary measure. See the Simple Energy website for details and application. The government guidance is here. It closes on 31 March 2022, by when all work must be completed.
The grants can be used together for heat pumps: the amount received from the GHG will be subtracted from the RHI payments. For both schemes, work must be done by approved installers, registered either with Trustmark (which covers most building work) or the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Both grants are open to all householders, regardless of income. Now that the scheme has been extended for a year it should be easier to find contractors.