Businesses face a long road to net-zero. Decarbonising entirely will require an overhaul in the way they work, how their suppliers work, and where they do business.
Heating workspaces with traditional natural gas can represent a major proportion of a business’s overall emissions.
But new innovative technologies are providing the right commercial heating solutions at the right point on their journey towards decarbonisation.
Heat pumps, heat interface units and hydrogen-blend ready boilers are the three heating solutions you need to know about.
Heat Pumps
Unlike gas boilers, heat pumps don’t burn fuel to produce heat. Instead, they harness heat from the air, water, or ground outside a building. This free heat is absorbed by a liquid refrigerant, causing it to boil and vaporise.
The gaseous refrigerant is then compressed to a high pressure, which raises the temperature of the gas significantly, before it enters a heat exchanger, where it releases its heat into the pumped water circuit of the building’s heating system. As the heat ebbs from the gaseous refrigerant, it naturally condenses back to liquid form to repeat the cycle.
Because heat pumps are capable of operating up to four times more efficiently than traditional boilers (because heat is transferred rather than generated), they have the potential to produce four units of heat for every one unit of electricity that they use.
This means that their use in commercial buildings can reduce carbon emissions by 65-70%, compared to traditional gas or electric boilers.
Natural Refrigerants
When you select a heat pump though, be sure to check out the type of refrigerant used. Many synthetic refrigerants used in heat pumps have a high Global Warming Potential (GWP), meaning they contain extremely potent GHGs. R410a, for example, has a huge GWP of 2088, compared to natural refrigerants such as R290 at 3 GWP and R744/CO2 at 1 GWP. These natural refrigerants are clearly the eco-friendly heating option and are to be found in our latest ECOMOD 290HT and ECOMOD CO2 and CO2Q heat pumps.
Heat Pumps can be used alone or, where required, can form part of a lower carbon hybrid heating system by being installed alongside gas or electric boilers. We are often seeing boilers being used as a back up to the heat pumps, kicking in at times of heavy demand. A great example of this can be seen at Tinsley Meadows Primary Academy in Sheffield where ECOMOD heat pumps have been installed alongside two Ideal Heating wall hung EVOMAX 2 40kW commercial condensing boilers.
We have several models within our ECOMOD commercial heat pump range, all can help businesses with buildings of every size to decarbonise their heating system, lower their running costs, and improve their building’s energy efficiency.
Heat Interface Units
According to the Association for Decentralised Energy, there are more than 14,000 heat networks across the UK. Networks vary in size and length, redistributing heat from sources including power stations or manufacturing processes to nearby buildings.
The Government’s Clean Growth Strategy recognised that by 2050, heat networks could meet around 20% of the demand for heating and hot water in buildings. So, we can expect to see more heat networks coming online over the next few decades.
A heat interface unit (HIU) is the part of the network that consumers, businesses and facility managers interact with. It transfers the thermal energy from the network to the heating and hot water systems in buildings.
Our Ideal Pod HIU, has been designed to look like a domestic boiler, supplying heating and hot water to a home. It features a straightforward user interface and is easy to control via the OpenTherm compatibility.
Other ways commercial buildings can decarbonise
Where low carbon technologies such as heat pumps are not in use, organisations can still contribute to decarbonisation by ensuring their commercial gas heating systems are the most energy efficient they can be.
Our condensing gas boilers are designed to be highly efficient and with low emissions, but how they are used and maintained will have an impact on operation and efficiency.
To retain heat within the system, check the pipes and distribution equipment are properly insulated.
For energy efficiency, ensure a smart thermostat or boiler control system is in place and consider the use of room sensors that will ensure correct comfort temperatures in occupied spaces. Evacuate all air from the heating system by bleeding radiators and by installing automatic air vents to effectively remove trapped air. Trapped air trapped can lead to uneven heat distribution, forcing the boiler to work harder to maintain the desired temperature.
To ensure boiler longevity and smooth operation, keep your boiler clean! Boilers should be serviced at least once a year by a qualified engineer, which will include cleaning the system. To prevent limescale forming, use water softeners or appropriate chemical treatments, as advised. If fitting a new boiler on to an old system, separate the systems to prevent the ‘dirty’ water from circulating through the new boiler. This can be achieved through using magnetic low loss headers and plate heat exchangers with filters or strainers, or air and dirt separators to assist with removal of harmful debris in the system.
Rounding Out
We understand that the process of taking Britain to true net zero will be a long-term goal that relies on a lot of hard work.
Our Ideal heating solutions have been designed to provide continuous progress toward more carbon efficient methods of heating, paving a roadmap for development across the country as we get ready for the next steps on the UK's pathway to net zero.
Whether in residential housing or workspaces, rural to urban, Ideal is committed to helping the UK on its journey to net zero through providing as many options for reduced carbon heating, helping to reduce emissions across the country.
To find out more, see these six trends and initiatives for decarbonising commercial heating, or, discover what’s turning the wheel of decarbonisation in the public sector. Enquire about our Ideal heating solutions by contacting us here.