Energy Efficient Electric Heating
Today’s electric heating is… ideal to reduce both running costs and carbon emissions.
Electricity is claiming its place as the fuel of the future — no other fuel offers such excellent compatibility with renewable energy, making electric heating the only system with the potential to be truly zero carbon, when powered by electricity from sustainable sources.
What’s more, burgeoning legislation, such as:
- the recently revised Building Regulations; and
- planning guidance like Planning Policy Statement 22 (the ‘Merton Rule’, which stipulates a commitment to 10% of a development’s energy requirements coming from renewable sources)
…are leading building designers to look towards a combination of electric heating and renewables to provide cost–effective low carbon heating systems.
Dimplex DuoHeat
Renewables for carbon reduction
So what options are available for incorporating renewables for carbon reduction?
Interest is growing in the UK in heat pumps as a source of renewable heat. They draw heat from the ambient environment (air, ground or water) and compress it enough to run a heating system. Used in Europe for decades, when they were first introduced to the UK they were seen as more suitable for upmarket self–build projects, due to the capital outlay involved.
However, the new generation of air source heat pumps does away with the need for extensive underground collectors, making them cheaper and simple to install for both new build and retro–fit.
Dimplex air source heat pump
Dimplex heat pumps
Dimplex heat pumps can extract heat from the air at down to minus 20°C and in the UK’s mild climate, performance is comparable to ground source models. With average temperatures of around 4°C, co–efficients of performance can be around 3.4 to 4.0. That means for every 1kWh of electricity used to run the system’s compressor, 3.4—4kWh of heating energy is produced.
Accredited Installer programme
Dimplex has introduced an ‘Accredited Installer’ programme to help meet the demand for its air source heat pumps. The scheme, which includes a comprehensive two day training course, is open to experienced heating, plumbing, electrical and HVAC installers, giving them the opportunity to join the Dimplex installer network and be approved to install the UK’s widest range of air source heat pumps — a new and profitable stream of business
A short exam at the end of the course must be completed successfully before accreditation. Once accredited, the installer receives vouchers for cash back against their first purchase and free commissioning meaning that the £395 application fee is fully refunded.
One day courses are also available to give specifiers and other building professionals an overview of heat pump technology and system design. These courses can be tailored closely to suit the requirements of the participants.
Solar thermal water heating
Solar thermal water heating is an easily integrated renewables option able to provide up to 60% of the annual domestic hot water requirement
Solar thermal water heating is an easily integrated renewables option able to provide up to 60% of the annual domestic hot water requirement—even in northern latitudes. As the design and siting of the equipment is key, it makes sense to go to one reputable company for the complete space and water heating system, so this year Dimplex has launched its own solar thermal water heating system, to offer the complete portfolio of energy–efficient electric and renewable heating products.
Controllability is the key to low energy use and electric panel heaters like the Dimplex EPX range incorporate sophisticated electronic thermostats to closely regulate room temperature. The Dimplex DuoHeat electric radiator achieves a high SAP score due to its smart heat management system, which takes heat from a balanced mix of off–peak and direct–acting sources.
Panel heaters can be compatible with a range of control options, including 24 hour digital timers, runback timers and zone controllers for a whole house system, so the user can dictate exactly where and when they want heat, avoiding energy wastage.
Today’s electric heating is controllable and safe, offers straightforward installation and is easy to integrate with renewable energy, making it ideal to reduce both running costs and carbon emissions. With government support for energy efficiency measures and renewable systems firmly on the agenda, electric heating is a real future–proof choice.
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