Heat Pumps Today

24 Steve Charles – Technical Sales Manager, Jaga UK explains why heat pumps are a proven and commercially viable way to transform the way we heat our buildings. Matching radiators to heat pump systems Whilst we know this currently, fewer than one per cent of homes in England use one. Thanks to government policy, rising fuel costs, and a shift towards a more decarbonised grid, this is all set to change, particularly with the ambitious government targets of increasing installation from 30,000 units per year to 600,000 per year by 2028 in the drive to meet net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Which emitters can be used with heat pumps? Heat pumps can provide a comfortable indoor climate, offering significant efficiencies in energy usage and cost savings…. but only when partnered with complimentary heat emitters. Despite the increasing popularity of heat pumps, the topic of which emitters should be used when installing them is still widely misunderstood. Heat pumps work most efficiently, for example; with a higher Coefficient of Performance, when they distribute heat at lower temperatures; 45/35°C as opposed to the higher 75/65°C temperatures produced by gas and oil boilers. It is a common misconception therefore, that the only way to achieve comfortable room temperatures when using a heat pump system, is to choose emitters with a larger surface area, either by oversizing steel panel radiators, which can take up valuable space and ruin the aesthetics of a room, or by opting for underfloor heating, which may not provide the best thermal comfort, and has slow reaction speeds. But there is in fact an alternative, far more cost effective, energy efficient option that’s quick to install, compact, lightweight, and stylish and will easily June | July 2021 reach the required room temperatures when using a heat pump system – low water content (Low-H 2 O) radiators. Less energy, less water, higher outputs Unlike traditional steel panel radiators, Low-H 2 O radiators, like Jaga’s are designed to work effectively with lower flow temperatures. They contain 90 per cent less water than steel panel radiators and of course, significantly less than underfloor heating, meaning they are much faster to heat up and cool down. This provides improved comfort with less energy consumption, no wasteful over-heating and reduced demand on the heating system itself. Low-H 2 O radiators use a compact aluminium and copper heat exchanger which rapidly heats any space – no heavy steel panels requiring pre-heating. Fewer raw materials mean they are far lighter to install and remain much lighter when fully filled during use. Proven effectiveness Low-H 2 O radiators have been tested extensively across the world and have been proven to be more economical at any water temperature, providing significant R A D I A T O R S