Heat Pumps News: page 8
- October 2023
Government confirms heat pumps and heat networks as primary low-carbon heating technology
The government confirmed in October 2023 that heat pumps and heat networks will be the primary low-carbon technologies for home heating over the next decade, with a key role in all pathways to 2050.
Heat and Buildings Strategy sets plan to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035
Hydrogen UK has told the Public Accounts Committee that the October 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy plans to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035, while warning that hydrogen heating trials have slipped.
MCS opened a consultation on changes to the MCS 020 Standard
MCS has opened a consultation on changes to the MCS 020 noise assessment standard, which permitted development rights for air source heat pumps reference, following a government-commissioned review of heat pump noise.
- September 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants increased by 50%
Grants for heat pumps under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rose by 50% from 23 October 2023, taking the air source and ground source rate to £7,500, with applications rising sharply afterwards.
Nesta calls on UK Government to keep 2035 gas boiler commitment
Nesta has urged the UK Government to keep its commitment that no new gas boilers are installed after 2035, warning that any retreat would raise costs and slow heat pump uptake.
Octopus Energy launches Cosy Octopus smart heating system with Cosy 6 heat pump
Octopus Energy has launched Cosy Octopus, a smart heating system built around its first in-house heat pump, the Cosy 6, with installations due to begin in December.
Which? and Octopus Energy launch solar panel and heat pump discount offer
Which? members can claim a 5% discount on solar panel or air-source heat pump installations booked through Octopus Energy, under an offer running until 15 December 2023.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grant increased to £7,500
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for heat pumps rose from £5,000 to £7,500 in September 2023, but the scheme's budget was not increased, so it will serve fewer homes.
Prime Minister announced change to gas boiler new-build policy
Rishi Sunak said in September 2023 that the aim was to cut gas boiler installations in new build homes by 80 per cent rather than ban them outright.
- August 2023
NIBE launches most powerful exhaust air heat pump yet
NIBE has launched its most powerful exhaust air heat pump yet, the company announced on 25 August 2023, extending the range of a technology it has previously won awards for.
Nesta publishes conclusion of European heat pump uptake comparison
Nesta's European heat pump comparison, published on 8 August 2023, concludes that air-to-air heat pumps dominate uptake across Europe while the Boiler Upgrade Scheme funds only air-to-water and ground-source models.
Mitsubishi Electric launches Versatile domestic hot water cylinder range
Mitsubishi Electric has launched the Versatile domestic hot water cylinder range in five capacities, designed for use with its Ecodan R32 heat pumps and controlled through MELCloud.
Mobile heat pump training facility launched at South Lanarkshire College
A Scottish Government funded mobile heat pump training centre, certified by BPEC, was launched at South Lanarkshire College on 2 August to train installers across Scotland.
Baxi launches new residential air source heat pump range
Baxi has launched the HP40 Monobloc air source heat pump range for UK homes, sold as a package with cylinders, controls, training and aftersales support.
Ideal Heating launched its first heat pump production line in Hull
Ideal Heating launched its first heat pump production line in Hull in August 2023, part of a wider investment programme that has since drawn government funding and further company spending.
- July 2023
Alpha launches Alpha Hydro packaged heat pump solution
Alpha has launched the Alpha Hydro, a packaged air source heat pump system pairing 5kW to 16kW single-phase units with a pre-plumbed cylinder and Smartech controls, aimed at retrofit and new build homes.
Panasonic adds Bi-Bloc units to Aquarea L Series heat pump range
Panasonic has added Bi-Bloc units to its Aquarea L Series of heat pumps, which run on the natural refrigerant R290 and can provide heating, hot water and cooling.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended to 2028
MCS reports that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended to 2028, alongside data showing Wales has overtaken Scotland for the highest uptake of small-scale renewables per household.
Nesta publishes policy plan for decarbonising home heating
Nesta has published a four-part policy plan for decarbonising UK home heating, covering a boiler phase-out date, cheaper electricity, installer growth and planning reform.
Government introduces £5 million Heat Pump Training Grant
The Heat Pump Association has reported a £5 million government training grant to retrain and upskill 10,000 engineers, alongside rising heat pump sales and Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications.
Mixergy announces collaboration with Kingspan Water & Energy
Mixergy has announced a collaboration with Kingspan Water & Energy to put its top-down heating technology into Kingspan's Range Tribune cylinder family, launching the Range Tribune MXi.
Viessmann launches lower output Vitocal 150/151-A air source heat pumps
Viessmann has added 4, 6 and 8 kW variants to its Vitocal 150-A and 151-A air source heat pump range, extending the line below the 10, 13 and 16 kW models it launched in 2022.
UK government reviews 600,000 heat pumps per year target
A July 2023 parliamentary briefing reviewed the government's target of 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028, noting that only 72,000 were fitted in 2022 and that barriers remain.
Heat Training Grant begins funding heat pump installer training
The £5 million Heat Training Grant has funded training for around 3,000 heat pump installers since July 2023, part of a wider push to build the installer base behind the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
- June 2023
NIBE's F2040 air source heat pump upgraded as F2050 is announced
NIBE has announced the F2050 air source heat pump as an upgrade to its F2040 model, in a product update listed on the manufacturer's UK news page.
Department for Infrastructure announces changes to permitted development rights for domestic heat pumps
Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure has amended permitted development rights so domestic air source heat pumps no longer need planning permission, subject to conditions, from 4 July 2023.
Sunamp and Trianco launch ActivAir Plus heat pump and heat battery package
Sunamp will supply its Thermino heat batteries to Trianco for the ActivAir Plus package, which pairs an air source heat pump with a heat battery and is now available nationwide.
New Build Heat Standard regulations laid in the Scottish Parliament
Scottish ministers have laid regulations for the New Build Heat Standard, which from 1 April 2024 will bar direct emissions heating in new buildings in Scotland.
Consultation on Clean Heat Market Mechanism closes
The government has finished consulting on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, which would require boiler sellers to sell a quota of heat pumps for every boiler sold.
- May 2023
Panasonic launches Aquarea K Generation All in One heat pumps in T-CAP and High Performance variants
Panasonic has brought the All in One units of its Aquarea K Generation heat pump range to market in T-CAP and High Performance variants, with a seasonal efficiency figure of up to 5.12.