New heating technologies including heat pumps, solar thermal and dual fuel Hybrid systems – are fast becoming mainstream heating options as the Government strives to meet its EU commitment for Carbon emissions reductions by 2020. 

This year will mark significant developments in terms of legislative changes and incentives to further develop the use of renewable technologies in the UK. 

Incentives

The Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will enable property owners to be financially rewarded for using renewable technologies to heat and provide hot water for their homes.  The RHI scheme will support a range of technologies including heat pumps and solar thermal technologies.                                                       

Legislation

Perhaps the most important reason for increasing the use of renewable technologies in new buildings is the significant contribution they can make to meeting environmental legislative targets such as the Code for Sustainable Homes and the forthcoming requirements of Building Regulations part L 2013.  

An industry transition

As long as modern boiler technology continues to be the dominant mode of domestic heating and hot water provision in the UK – it has a major part to play in achieving energy efficiency and cutting running costs, while the demand for renewables continues to grow.  For specifiers, the transition from traditional technologies to renewable sources is of great significance, and should be followed closely in light of the rapidly progressing criteria of building regulations and government legislation.  Truly understanding the potential of renewable technologies is fast becoming just as essential as our knowledge of traditional heating systems.  

Many in the industry expect heat pump technology for example, to eventually become as common in domestic heating systems as the traditional boiler and in time evolve into the primary source of domestic heating and hot water.

With the ability to work much more efficiently at lower temperatures than a standard boiler system, and being more suitable for under floor heating systems that give out heat at lower temperatures over longer periods of time, the versatility of heat pump technology is a key driver of renewable technology growth in the UK.  

Likewise, Solar thermal technology in the form of a flat plate solar thermal system is another extremely attractive option for new build and refurbishments, as it can deliver up to 60% of a property’s domestic hot water needs every year. 

Utilising renewable technologies as part of a wider heating system is an area in which the industry is now starting to see significant growth.  Creating Hybrid systems by combining traditional and renewable sources through an intelligent control system, takes advantage of renewable technologies when they are at their most efficient, and retains the back up of the familiar boiler technology for times when this is the most cost effective heating source. 

Getting the right support

The renewables market is certainly growing rapidly, and as we enter a world of new technologies, the importance of service support has never been more significant.  Working with new technologies and more complex heating system designs in order to meet the highest levels of energy efficiency, can naturally require a higher level of ongoing project support and service.  

With over 75 years experience, Glow-worm provides market-leading support for all types of heating installations.  We’ can offer award winning support from our heating design service, over 230 nationwide after sales support engineers, comprehensive warranties and spare parts provision, and technical help whenever it’s needed.    

The products:

Glow-worm’s Clearly Heat Pumps

Glow-worm’s Clearly Heat Pumps are a comprehensive range of MCS accredited air to water heat pumps available in a choice of outputs, covering 5, 7, 12 and 14kW models.  Combining high performance renewable technology with straightforward and hassle-free installation, the range can efficiently deliver heating and domestic hot water for a wide range of domestic properties.

With possible carbon savings of up to 40%*, the range can contribute significantly towards meeting environmental legislative targets and help to achieve level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. The heat pumps are fully MCS accredited, making installations potentially eligible for RHI funding. 

With a high CoP, for every 1kW of electrical power consumed by the compressor almost 4kW of heat energy can be produced, making the system a highly efficient option. 

*when replacing an older, standard efficiency boiler 

Glow-worm Clearly Solar

Designed specifically for use on UK homes, Clearly Solar has everything you need to look for in a flat plate solar thermal solution. Clearly Solar delivers 50-60%of domestic hot water requirements every year. 

A unique solution; Clearly Solar comes in a simple to order bespoke pack containing everything needed for a solar thermal installation. The flat plate collectors are made from black anodised aluminium, so they are hard wearing, robust and subtly blend into the roof.

Alternatively, if the inclination or aspect of the roof is not perfectly suited for a solar installation, Clearly Solar can also be installed on easily assembled A-frames for siting on a flat roof or in a garden. 

Glow-worm’s Clearly Hybrid

 Combining a High Efficiency boiler and a choice of Glow-worm’s air to water heat pumps, Clearly Hybrid provides social housing providers and specifiers with a truly innovative heating system which automatically chooses the most cost effective method of heating and hot water at any time.  

Clearly Hybrid uses an advanced control system to automatically choose when to use low carbon renewable energy from the heat pump or traditional energy from the high efficiency boiler depending upon which source provides the most cost effective option at any time, based on your customers heating requirements, their energy tariff and the outside temperature.

www.glow-worm.co.uk.