When Britain passed laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050, it became the first major economy in the world to do so.This is a milestone moment for the world to achieve net zero emissions.
To achieve this noble but vital goal, all industries must now make tangible and impactful changes.The same goes for owners and managers of commercial buildings, who are now tasked with meeting a host of standards, regulations and legislation to ensure they prioritize reducing carbon emissions.
This net-zero target presents its own challenges, but is also an excellent opportunity to invest in low-carbon building services technologies and adopt new approaches to commercial building design and operation.
Heating has to be at the heart of it.How we heat and produce hot water in buildings is an important factor in building carbon emissions.In fact, heating is responsible for nearly a third (32%) of the UK’s total carbon emissions.
Heat pump technology can already solve this problem and heat commercial buildings in a more energy-efficient, renewable way.So, what benefits can heat pumps provide, and how can building managers ensure they are the right solution for commercial spaces?
From the Climate Change Act of 2008 to the latest Green Growth Strategy in 2017, regulations have been developed to help achieve net zero emissions.There is also legislation specifically for commercial buildings, with a focus on how these spaces can be accessed.This needs to be a key consideration when investing in heating technology.
Part L of the Building Code is an example.It states that non-residential buildings should switch to low-carbon heat sources, Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) mean it is illegal to make any property with an EPC rating below “E”, and the non-residential RHI has been extended to 2022 to help overcome investment constraints Barriers to regenerative heating.
There is also growing interest in the embodied carbon in commercial buildings and the amount of carbon a building generates throughout its life cycle.When considering carbon impacts, building managers must consider the full environmental cost of extraction, processing, manufacturing, delivery and assembly of each product or material used.
It may seem like a lot considering all of these factors, but it also proves that focusing on renewable heating now is the best way to go for commercial buildings for years to come.
Heat pumps are at the heart of our decarbonisation.The Carbon Trust found that heat pumps can save up to 70% in CO2 emissions compared to traditional electric heating and up to 65% compared to Class A gas-fired boilers.
The government has also set a target of installing 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2030, and the Climate Change Commission estimates that 19 million heat pumps will need to be installed by 2050 to reach the net-zero target.
To achieve this goal, maintaining the momentum of heat pump absorption is critical.In addition to providing regenerative heating, heat pumps can also reduce operating costs and increase efficiency.They have also become the first choice for building managers planning renovations because they are designed for renovations and new builds, are easy to design and install, and can be expanded to work with other systems.This means they are a suitable solution for almost any space and can even work with existing heating systems in a hybrid situation if required.
Heat pumps are an ideal solution for commercial buildings, but finding the right one for the job is important.Since heat pumps were first introduced to the market, the choice and scope have expanded, and building owners are now able to choose exactly the right equipment for their building’s requirements.
For example, heat pumps can now operate at higher temperatures, so for buildings such as hotels, hospitals and leisure centres where there is a high demand for hot water during peak hours, this is a great option without the need for a gas boiler.
Mixed-use buildings are also gaining popularity in the UK and they can benefit from heat pumps.Buildings combining residential and commercial businesses will have a wide variety of heating and cooling requirements, which have so far been met by gas-fired boilers, cogeneration systems or electric water heaters.High temperature heat pumps, such as the 40kW Ecodan QAHV, can now provide hot water up to 90°C and support helping businesses increase hot water production efficiency while reducing their carbon footprint.
Other heat pumps offer the option of a modular approach so that multiple units can operate in one system.This means that a multi-unit system can switch the available units on and off in series to meet the load required by the building.The units are also scalable and can be used for small physician procedures as well as for entire district heating projects.
Modern heat pumps can also be applied to buildings along with other technologies and promote the renewable element of the project – reducing the need for thermal energy.
We have reached a climate crossroads and all industries must now prioritize investments in renewable technologies and drive towards net zero emissions.This is a very real opportunity for those in the building services industry to take the lead and encourage their clients to adopt a new, greener approach to heating commercial buildings.
The heating we install today will be in buildings for at least a decade, so installing a fossil fuel-based heating system could make buildings a “stranded asset” in the future.Adopting renewable heating will help ensure buildings meet efficiency and environmental standards now and for years to come.
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