Heat pumps use minimal electricity to extract renewable energy from the air or ground, then use this power for heating, hot water heating and cooling applications in homes or businesses.
Green Street solution in Glasgow stands as an exemplar of how networked heat pumps can decarbonise heating at scale and decrease climate-changing emissions.
Ground Source
Ground source heat pumps offer an eco-friendly alternative to combustion-based heating systems, producing less particulates, Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), or Sulphur Oxide (SOx) emissions that contribute to air pollution. Furthermore, these heat pumps are safer as they don’t contain flames or any moving parts – all factors which contribute to air pollution.
As this system doesn’t burn anything, it can be used in locations without gas supply connections, such as remote properties or new builds. However, its pump must still be connected to an electricity grid in order to function.
Heat pumps do incur some energy costs; however, the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme can help offset them. Their operating efficiencies are high enough that you will save on your energy bills – making them an attractive solution for anyone searching for more sustainable home heating.
Air Source
Air source heat pumps use electricity to harness the natural heat found in outdoor air even at freezing temperatures and use it to amplify that heat for use in heating and hot water for homes.
Heat pumps that use alternative energy sources to produce heat are especially suitable for Glasgow, where the city council has pledged a net zero target by 2045. According to WWF’s new report, however, Scotland will fall far short of achieving this goal without rapid adoption of alternatives to fossil fuel central heating systems.
One solution could be a district heat network powered by rivers or other bodies of water. The Scottish government has already launched a grants programme to assist local authorities develop low carbon district heating mains; one such system utilizes the Thames to heat homes in Glasgow’s south side while a second system will soon be constructed in its northern quadrant.
Solar Panels
Glasgow buildings – such as Kelvin Hall, Emirates Arena and Royal Concert Hall – featuring solar panels are now producing electricity that will be used to heat them through this initiative. This could save the city significant energy costs while helping decarbonise its council estate.
Satisfying occupant satisfaction is vital to realising projected financial and carbon savings, with their acceptance and trust of ASHP technology having an effect on how effectively it operates. In order to gain further insights into this topic, this paper searches relevant field studies of occupied dwellings that monitor both ASHP performance as well as perceptions.
Glasgow’s climate smart city strategy should aim to ensure those least able to afford heat pumps do not fall behind in making the switch green, such as developing new district heating systems or installing community-owned air source heat pump (ASHPs) units within its high tech innovation districts.
Installation
Heat pumps have become an increasingly popular choice in Scotland as people seek ways to both cut energy costs and lower their carbon footprint. Unlike gas boilers, which run on natural gas prices that fluctuate internationally, heat pumps operate solely with electricity reducing dependency on unpredictable international markets for gas supply.
Domestic heat pump installations are funded through Scottish Government schemes like Warmer Homes Scotland, Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme and Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund. Third sector organisations such as Changeworks, Warmworks and Zero Waste Scotland act as managing agents for these schemes by offering training courses and information services directly to both consumers and businesses alike.
Air source heat pumps’ performance depends on various factors, including installation, control and building fabric. Most existing Scottish buildings ranging from Victorian mid-terraces to 1960s semis and flats could benefit from retrofitting them with air source heat pumps; two-speed compressors offer even greater savings by operating closer to meeting heating capacity requirements for specific outdoor temperatures, saving energy while simultaneously reducing compressor wear.
