One of the ways that new build developments are making their properties more environmentally friendly is by selecting low-carbon air source heat pump central heating systems. Here, we will explain why heat pumps are so well suited to new build homes, outline how the Future Homes Standard will soon mandate low carbon heating systems for new builds, and explain the benefits that heat pumps can deliver to developers, their properties and the homeowners who purchase them.
What can make a new build home stand out from the crowd? While quality finishes, sleek interiors and practical layouts are all important factors when it comes to new build specifications, how the property is heated is becoming an increasingly important consideration for both developers and prospective new build homeowners. For developers, upcoming legislation will soon mean that fossil fuel heating systems such as those with gas boilers will no longer be suitable for their developments. Meanwhile, for an increasing number of prospective home buyers, a renewable energy heat source is a contributing factor as to whether or not they will purchase a new build home.
With air source heat pumps providing the low-carbon, efficient and environmentally friendly heating solution that more and more new build properties are adopting, here we will explain:
• why heat pumps are set to be a key part in modern, sustainable domestic property developments
• the benefits of heat pumps for property developers
• the benefits of living with a heat pump for new build homeowners.
Understanding Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)
The emissions created from heating buildings account for a significant proportion of our total greenhouse gas emissions here in the UK – the Heat and Buildings Strategy published in 2021 stated that 79% of building emissions result from their heating and approximately 23% of all UK emissions result from heating buildings. To reduce these emissions, we need to heat properties far more sustainably and this is where heat pumps come in.
Air source heat pumps are a renewable energy heat source. They extract the heat energy from the air outside and convert this into useable energy which can heat homes, keeping rooms warm using radiators or underfloor heating systems, and providing hot water via a separate hot water cylinder. The infographic below provides a simple explanation about how a heat pump heats a home.
Please visit our Knowledge Hub to read more about how air source heat pumps operate and the different types of heat pumps available.
Air source heat pumps have been heating homes for many years with the technology evolving to the state-of-the-art heat pumps available today. Unlike traditional boilers, heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures which aids their efficiency. While the lower flow temperatures result in cooler radiators to the touch, they do not mean that homes will be cold – far from it, provided the system has been correctly designed using heat emitters with a larger surface area. Furthermore, a heat pump’s efficient operation is significantly improved when heat loss from a property is minimised which can be achieved with good quality insulation.
These are just a couple of the reasons why heat pumps suit new builds. New build properties are built with high levels of roof and wall insulation and double or even triple glazed windows, all of which result in reducing the amount of heat escaping from the home. In addition, the nature of a new build allows underfloor heating systems to be laid during the early phases of the build project, with underfloor heating being one of the best choices of heat emitter for a heat pump. The construction of a new build property complements the operation of a heat pump heating system but this is not the only reason why developers should consider the technology for their properties.
ASHP benefits for developers
Air source heat pumps offer new build developers numerous benefits including:
• heat pumps meet current and pending building regulations
• heat pumps provide a unique selling point for properties in the marketplace
• heat pumps can be easily integrated into new build plans.
Future Homes Standard
While at the time of writing, the date that the Future Homes Standard is due to be introduced is not yet confirmed, it is anticipated to be sometime in 2025. In summary, when the Future Homes Standard does come into effect, the new build sector will have to change the way their properties are heated. The proposed changes in legislation will affect Part L Building Regulations, in particular implementing changes to performance requirements for buildings which fossil fuel heating systems will not meet.
The efficiency standards of air source heat pumps combined with their low-carbon credentials will mean that heat pumps will fulfil the new standards set. Therefore, the first benefit of heat pumps for developers is they will help them to meet and exceed current and pending building regulations.
Sales advantage
It is well recognised that air source heat pumps are a sustainable choice of home heating because they use renewable energy found in the air outside and transform this into useable energy within the home. Air source heat pumps also boast impressive performance figures achieving excellent efficiencies. For example, the Grant Aerona 290 6.5kW air source heat pump has a Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) of 5.08 at 35ºC water flow temperature which means that for every kilowatt (kW) of energy the heat pump uses to operate, it is producing over 5kW of energy for the heating system.
An air source heat pump therefore adds perceived value to a new build property. It is an environmentally friendly, low-carbon heating system and a heat pump is also an incredibly efficient choice of home heating. Both of these benefits can be a highly attractive proposition for new build buyers. A heat pump therefore is fast becoming a feature which prospective homeowners are looking for when reading through the specifications list for a property.
Straightforward integration
An air source heat pump, and the rest of the system including the hot water cylinder and heat emitters, can be easily integrated into new build plans. Unlike with a boiler, which is typically positioned in a cupboard within the kitchen or utility room, an air source heat pump needs to be positioned outside. A heat pump system also requires a separate hot water cylinder which will need to be located inside the property, usually within an airing cupboard.
The good news is that integrating the heat pump, cylinder and heat emitters can be seamlessly done during the planning stages of the build. Grant UK’s in-house Design Team, for example, can support developers with system designs for each of their different types of properties on a site, producing clear specification lists for the heating system products required for each property. Incorporating a renewable heat pump into each design of property can therefore be achieved with ease when developers partner with Grant UK.
ASHP benefits for new build homeowners
The benefits that a heat pump provides for an older property are also enjoyed by homeowners in new build properties which are heated by an air source heat pump. These include:
• Energy efficient way to heat the home – as mentioned above, air source heat pumps are very efficient systems. Provided the system has been correctly designed and sized, a heat pump will produce significantly more energy than it uses. In fact, a new heat pump will often be more energy efficient compared to a fossil fuel boiler. Furthermore, when installed with underfloor heating (UFH), the heat pump system can operate at lower flow temperatures which can further improve efficiencies which in turn could reduce running costs.
• Enjoy comfort and control with home heating – when a heat pump and its controls are correctly set up, the system will provide comfort throughout the home. What’s more, if an underfloor heating system has been fitted alongside a heat pump, this can achieve another level of comfort with even warmth distributed throughout all rooms with no cold spots or draughts. In addition, heat pumps, such as those supplied by Grant UK, are available with smart heat pump controls which provide consumers with the ability to remotely control and monitor their heat pump system.
• Futureproofing a home for the years ahead – an air source heat pump should be viewed as an investment in a property, heating a home in a sustainable way that aligns with future regulations, carbon reducing goals and a growing aspiration amongst homeowners to be more eco-friendly.
If you are interested in reading more about the advantages of heat pumps, please read our article about the benefits of R290 heat pumps.
How can solar PV support a heat pump system?
Many developers today are installing solar PV (photovoltaics) panels onto their properties. A solar PV system uses the sun’s energy and converts this into free, renewable electricity to power appliances within the home, such as a heat pump. Any surplus electricity generated by the solar PV system can also be sold to the grid or stored in a battery for later use. The addition of solar PV is not only helping new build developments to fulfil current building regulations but it is a significant selling point for homeowners.
It is also worth highlighting, that some energy providers offer agile or flexible tariffs for homes with a heat pump which can help further reduce running costs when the lower tariff rates are applied.
Planning for seamless integration
When it comes to specifying and installing low-carbon heat pumps for new build developments, there are three key stages:
• design
• installation
• customer handover.
When developers are finalising their individual site plans, the design of the heat pump heating system should be factored in at this point. As previously mentioned, the internal layout of the properties will need to accommodate the placement of a hot water storage cylinder meanwhile outdoors, the location where the heat pump will be situated will need to adhere to clearances and, in the case of R290 heat pumps, protection zones. In addition, during the design process, it is important to identify the correct size of heat pump output for each property, the appropriate heat emitters (including the positioning of radiators within rooms and/or the pipework layout for underfloor heating systems) and the full specification list of products required to complete the system installation.
Grant UK’s Design and Specification Team is on hand to help with this stage.
When it comes to the installation itself, it is important that heat pump systems are installed, set-up and commissioned by suitably trained and qualified installers. The installation of the system will need to be coordinated around other trades and elements of a build – for example, the underfloor heating system will need to be laid as part of the floor construction whereas the heat pump can be fitted towards the latter stages of a build, when a suitable base is ready for the unit to be positioned on top of.
When it comes to heat pump training and providing onsite technical support with the set-up of an air source heat pump system, Grant UK can support both developers and their installers.
The final stage of a heat pump installation is the customer handover, which can often be overlooked. With new build developments, some time usually passes between the heat pump system being installed and the homeowners moving in which means that the installers are not on hand to help with the customer handover. Developers therefore need to equip their customers with the support and resources they need to ensure that their new homeowners fully understand how their heat pump heating system works, how it differs to a traditional boiler, and how they can control the system.
Grant UK have a dedicated handover guide that they supply with all their heat pumps as well as extensive video tutorials available on their YouTube Channel.
Should new builds opt for ASHPs?
The answer to this question is simple – yes, new build developments should be installing air source heat pumps in their properties because legislation is soon going to stipulate that low-carbon heating system must be installed in new build properties. Furthermore, heat pumps offer so many more benefits, being energy efficient, environmentally friendly, reliable, and a modern choice of heating system for the homes of tomorrow.
If you are a developer, Grant UK can provide you with the support needed to help you incorporate heat pumps into your future developments, whether small, medium or large scale sites. Here are some useful links and resources which may be of interest:
• New build heat pump case studies - hear from fellow developers who have already installed Grant heat pump heating systems by reading our interviews with developers
• Discuss your new site with our Team – Grant UK has a dedicated Sales Specification Team who are here to help new build developers with their projects so speak to your local Grant UK representative
• Tailored support – from CPD and heat pump product training through to heat loss calculations, SAP reports and underfloor heating system designs, Grant UK have the in-house renewables experts to support developers
• Discover our package heating solutions – Grant UK supply air source heat pumps, hot water cylinders, solar thermal systems, radiators and underfloor heating systems to provide complete heating systems for new builds
• Read more about heat pumps in new builds – head to our Home Heating Blog to view our blog about ASHPs in new builds – what developers and installers need to know.