Our new government faces many challenges to get the country back on track to its 2030 reduced emissions target and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. It’s a very tall order and new initiatives are required very quickly. Reports by recognised independent organisations set out their thoughts on what actions need to be taken to achieve these goals – and they make perfect sense.
A significant number of their ideas relate to how we must change the way we heat and increasingly cool our homes. After all some 18% of this country’s total carbon emissions emanate from heating our households. Over recent years, encouraged by financial incentives, the installation of heat pumps, and renewable energy sources has grown at the expense of fossil fuel systems. This growth has not been quick enough with the speed of uptake being hampered by several factors such as government policy rollback, the need for more financial incentives for homeowners and a lack of qualified installers.
When it comes to heat pumps, the still relatively high upfront cost of heat pump installations, the payback periods and the practical difficulties in retrofitting the technology in existing housing stock remain major obstacles, as well as the comparative cost of electricity needed to run a heat pump. One idea is to make electricity cheaper and ensure that the lower running costs of heat pumps compared to fossil-fuel boilers is reflected in household bills. Another is that new heating engineers must be able to access high quality training in low-carbon heating and existing gas heating engineers must be supported and incentivised to make the switch.
Such proposals are broadly welcomed by the HVAC manufacturing and installation sector – and not just those companies who manufacture, supply or install heat pumps. Other manufacturers of associated HVAC products that are compatible with renewables, and offer many additional benefits over and above sustainability, also support the need for fast government action.
Unico is one of those companies. Its Small Duct High Velocity (SDHV) technology that heats, cools and ventilates homes may not be widely taken up as yet, but residential installations are growing quickly. Unico Fan Coil Units/Air Handlers not only work brilliantly with heat pumps, but they are also highly energy efficient with high maximum cooling / heating outputs and fast response times. Compact and available in different horizontal or vertical configurations, they can fit conveniently into smaller spaces such as attics or even cupboards.
There are other significant benefits too. Firstly, as an all-in-one system, there is no need for investment in separate technologies around the home. Secondly, it offers the not-to-be-underestimated benefit of raising and maintaining Indoor Air Quality levels. These are essential for our general well-being, particularly for those suffering from respiratory issues.
The Unico System offers air filtration and is equipped with integral standard air filtration. There is also the possibility of upgrading to higher grades of filter – for example, UV light air purification can counteract airborne allergens, dust, germs, odours, mould and bacteria from within the home.
An inherent advantage of Unico SDHV technology is its ability to remove greater levels of humidity from the air than other forms of traditional HVAC technology. This is an essential requirement at a time when new build homes are better insulated and more tightly sealed than ever before, lacking adequate natural ventilation.
Thirdly, it’s a highly energy efficient system, with some 97% of the electrical energy used to operate the system finding it’s way into the rooms of a property in the form of conditioned cooled or warm air and hot water delivery. This represents exceptional efficiency.
There you have it – three simple benefits of SDHV technology, without even setting out many other side operational and installation advantages. So let’s stand in support of all the organisations shouting out for fast action from this government. Time is running short, but if implemented quickly, new initiatives and changes to our approach to achieving net zero can help save the planet. In the meantime, such measures will create a better platform for making daily living in our homes a greener, more comfortable and healthier experience through the take up of newer HVAC technologies.