HEAT PUMPS

We all know we must reduce our carbon footprint to avoid the worst effects of climate change and that we have left it very, very late to make the required changes. 
One of the biggest contributors to Cornwall’s greenhouse gas emissions is our existing housing stock, accounting for 21% of our emissions. Cornish homes are less energy efficient when compared to the rest of the UK, and UK homes are less energy efficient than most homes in Europe, so there is a lot to be done. 
Although improving the insulation would help reduce emissions, the single most important measure to decarbonise our homes would be to replace fossil fuel boilers. Seventy-six percent of home carbon emissions are generated providing heat and hot water, so it makes sense to tackle this part of the problem first. This is the approach suggested by Cornwall Council’s Cornwall Housing Decarbonisation Strategy, with heat pumps expected to be the main technical solution. Certainly tackle easy, low-cost measures, such as draught proofing and loft insulation, first as this will improve the efficiency of the replacement heating system.
I installed an air-source heat pump sixteen years ago and this technology has worked well. However, last year we changed to a ground-source heat pump so I could explore the installation procedure and compare the efficiencies.  A typical air source heat pump looks like this:- 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heat pumps work by taking large amounts of low-grade heat and compressing it to a usable heat source for heating and hot water. There are two main types of heat pump: air-source heat pumps, where the low-grade heat is extracted from large volumes of external air; and ground-source heat pumps that take low-grade heat from more consistent ground temperature via water that is circulated around a ground loop. Both types are incredibly efficient, providing about three times more heat energy out than electric energy in. Ground-source is usually more efficient because the ground’s low-grade heat has a more consistent temperature.  A typical ground source heat pump looks like this:-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cornwall Council’s studies have shown that 70% of Cornish homes are already heat pump ready but might need some minor insulation and electrical supply changes and possibly radiator upgrades. Twenty-four percent would need moderate energy efficiency modifications and 6% would need major energy efficiency modifications. From these figures it can be seen that a significant reduction in emissions is possible over a large proportion of Cornish homes. 
Incidentally, Cornwall is ahead of the country, with 5.6% of Cornish homes already using heat pumps, compared to 0.9% nationally.
The four main principles of the Council Council’s strategy are: 
1] End the use of fossil fuels. 
2] Reduce fuel poverty. 
3] Improve health and wellbeing. 
4] Build the local economy and skills. 
I know from my own experiences that heat pumps are an efficient, cost-effective way to reduce our carbon footprint. Our eco-home is now more comfortable, more economical to run and healthier to live in.

You can find a film of the changes we made by clicking the button below.