The future of heating is currently a hot topic. To cut through the chatter and present the facts in one place, Vaillant has unveiled its “Decarbonising Home Heating in the UK” White Paper, available to download now, which gives a balanced overview of the mix of heating technologies, and the support available to ensure installers and specifiers are able to make the most of all opportunities.
Set out in three different chapters – Heat Pumps, Hydrogen and Hybrid Heating Systems – the White Paper aims to provide one source of truth across all energy efficient and sustainable technologies to ensure the right information is presented to customers – helping installers to make knowledgeable choices about how they heat homes now and in the future.
Heat pumps
Chapter one takes a deep dive into heat pumps outlining the properties most suitable for this tried and tested technology. In addition, it looks at the opportunities presented by this technology as well as the developments needed to increase awareness amongst consumers. It also addresses the challenges in growing the heat pump market, the lack of installers in the industry, the need for upskilling and the routes available to those wanting to install this low carbon technology today.
Hydrogen
Very much in its early stages of development, a point backed up by the government’s recent Hydrogen Strategy, chapter two moves onto this new fuel and highlights the current timeline for hydrogen trials in the UK. It covers the essential details of what a hydrogen-ready mandate could entail, what Vaillant believes needs to be done, the developments underway, what installers need to be armed with to answer homeowner questions and how specifiers can prepare for the future fuel, today.
Hybrid systems
Finally, chapter three covers hybrid systems, where heat pump and boiler technologies are used in tandem. Again, the White Paper aims to give a no-nonsense approach to its usage, considerations, limitations and costs, so it can be included in the low carbon option mix for UK homes where this combination proves the most appropriate and energy efficient.
As Klaus Jesse, Managing Director of Vaillant, points out: “The majority of the UK’s housing stock is ageing and around 80% of these properties will still be in use in 2050’s. This is why the decarbonisation of heat in homes is essential to achieving the Government’s target of net zero by 2050. Low carbon heating system solutions are available today with more being developed for the future. However, it is clear there is no ‘silver bullet’ and there will need to be a multi-technology approach to help the UK reach net zero.”
Mark Wilkins, Technologies and Training Director from Vaillant, adds: “The progression to net zero will not happen overnight. There are 26 million homes in the UK, so during this decade trials and tests are fundamental to achieve our decarbonisation goals. With the recent announcement from the Government on the Hydrogen Strategy outlining a longer-term timeframe for the roll out of this new fuel, it is clear that a mix of technologies will be needed to help reduce emissions, especially in the immediate future. Whilst we are working with the industry to bring hydrogen solutions for home heating, those needing to start their decarbonisation journey should turn to heat pump technology which is very much here now.
“Giving clear information of where, how, and in the case of hydrogen, when, each technology is best recommended, our newly released White Paper highlights the essential information and reiterates the support available from Vaillant for those wanting to know more about each technology.”
Click here to download the White Paper
