MARKET
EXPERT COMMENT
Carbon cutting can be both good for the environment and good for the pocket, so we need to move away from the notion that being green is more expensive and start to see that it’s a mutually bene cial relationship. Our zero carbon homes are extremely cost-effective to run, with buyers reporting that it can cost less than £4 a week for a four bedroom, detached, zero carbon home over the summer months, plus obligatory standing charges.
benefits, the different types of heat pumps available, and factors to consider when choosing one. It also looks at how different types of heat pumps are installed and what is needed to install them. Hartswood’s CEO Matt Lancley hopes that the guide will act as a resource to help homeowners understand what they need to know about heat pumps and how the latest updates from the Government impact them. “Whether you’re considering installing a heat pump for the first time or looking to optimise your existing system, this comprehensive guide is your go-to resource for all things heat pumps.” hartswoodheating.com Independent advisory group The Energy Saving Trust also has information on heat pumps including their suitability for your home and potential running costs. Independent Government-backed researcher Energy Systems Catapult carried out a study of 750 households which found there is a small extra cost to running a heat pump compared with a gas boiler, but some electricity suppliers are now offering cheaper rates for households with heat pumps. Octopus Energy has launched its new heat pump tariff, Cosy Octopus, which charges electricity at 19.6p a kilowatt hour, below the standard tariff cap of 25p.Ovo Energy recently offered a limited rate of 15p to the first 100 households to sign up to its Heat Pump Plus tariff. energysavingtrust.org.uk
install air source heat pumps for underfloor heating, radiators and hot water in its zero carbon homes, which the housebuilder says are “three to four times more efficient than the best gas fired boilers” on the market. Evans believes that ASHPs are a crucial component in the design of its zero carbon homes as the housebuilder strives to eliminate reliance on fossil fuel and it intends building more: “The industry can, and should be, routinely building modern homes which respond to the environmental challenges of our age.This is not a time to be resting on laurels.”The housebuilder finds that customers are “demanding a green housing revolution” as they want to play their role in the fight against climate change, so increasingly people are seeking out its developments thanks to its pre-installed renewable technologies. newlandhomes.co.uk Barratt Homes intends rolling out heat pumps, explains Barratt Development’s Technical and Innovation Director, Oliver Novakovic, “At Barratt’s first gas-free development, Delamare Park in Somerset, we’re fitting air source heat pumps on all 82 homes.The heat pumps have reduced annual carbon emissions by more than 50%, compared to if we’d fitted gas boilers.” Novakovic says that the key challenge as the UK attempts to transition to heat pumps is the shortage of skills, in other words a lack of technicians trained in heat pump installation. “We are working with the manufacturers and our trades to help ensure that training is in place, and everyone is in a position to scale-up.” Barratt is currently working with a number of heating suppliers, including Mitsubishi,Vaillant and Daikin, who are all developing capacity to meet the 2025 Future Homes Standard, when new homes must produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes currently being built. barratthomes.co.uk Redrow has noticed growing demand interest from homeowners who want energy- efficient features, and requests for electric heating solutions grow year on year says Group Sales Director, James Holmear, “As a business we have always been committed to future-proofing the homes and communities we build.We do this by taking a customer- centric approach, constantly evolving our designs and features in response to customer demands. Our new generation Eco Electric homes have a range of future-ready features, including air source heat pumps, even thicker insulation and ground floor underfloor heating as standard.” redrow.co.uk
Marcus Evans, Sales and Marketing Director, Newland Homes
EXPERT COMMENT
The industry is innovating continually, and we are challenging our supply chain to deliver new products that meet consumer needs. Some consumers have said that they don’t like the noise that heat pumps can make. However, the newer heat pumps are almost silent, such as the Vaillant heat pump that we are testing at Energy House, the climate control chamber at the University of Salford.
Oliver Novakovic, Technical and Innovation Director, Barratt Developments
NEW BUILD HOMES WITH HEAT PUMPS
Some new home builders are already installing heat pumps. Elivia Homes recently launched its collection of 17 homes at Summerfield Nurseries in Staple, Kent.With its aim of creating sustainable homes, all properties include air source heat pumps and electric car charging points, while underfloor heating delivers warmth and energy efficiency. Run from a heat pump, underfloor heating can be up to 40% more efficient than traditional radiators, says the housebuilder. eliviahomes.co.uk Newland Homes spent two years finessing the design of its groundbreaking zero carbon homes and investigating the best renewable technologies in order to bring highly efficient homes to the market, explains Sales and Marketing Director Marcus Evans. “As an independent housebuilder, we were one of the first companies to do so, thereby revolutionising the way homes are built in the UK.”The housebuilder carried out thorough investigation before deciding to
EXPERT COMMENT
Living in an energy-ef cient Redrow home helps to signi cantly reduce your energy bills. Recent research has suggested new build houses saved homeowners £2,600 on last year’s energy bills. Our fabric rst approach is all about building energy ef ciency into the very fabric of the home, using enhanced insulation, highly ef cient doors, windows and heating systems to reduce the home’s energy use and retain heat.
James Holmear, Group Sales Director, Redrow
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