Heat pumps meet large commercial spaces
Paul Kingswell of Jaga Heating Products looks at why large commercial spaces are increasingly using fan-assisted trench heating in conjunction with heat pumps.
There is a number of converging factors that explain why large commercial buildings are increasingly opting to use renewable-energy sources, such as heat pumps, instead of more traditional heating systems. They include Government incentive schemes and significant cost-savings.
A range of incentives is available, designed to encourage businesses to select heat pumps as their main heating solution, such as the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to provide long-term financial support for renewable heat technologies.
In addition, following the Climate Change Act 2008, which aims to cut UK emissions by at least 80% by 2050, Carbon Trust interest-free loans were introduced. This is to encourage businesses to purchase energy-saving equipment, without having to pay interest costs when paying back the loans.
Another major factor to consider for commercial buildings is the UK’s compulsory CRC scheme, (previously known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment). It encourages commercial organisations to consider their carbon footprints and only select heat pumps, which promise an energy-efficient heating solution.
However, tangible benefits from installing heating from renewable sources such as heat pumps are not limited to governments and end-users, but also impact installers. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an internationally recognised quality-assurance scheme that assesses supply, design, installation, set-to-work, and, crucially, renewable microgeneration technologies. In a rapidly growing and increasingly competitive industry, installers carrying the MCS Mark are likely to be the preferred option in the market — demonstrating to customers that a company is committed to meeting rigorous and tested standards, as well as being linked to Feed-In Tariffs, the Renewable Heat Incentive, the Code for Sustainable Homes, and the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP).
Flick through any current architectural publication, and it is clear that large commercial spaces being built or refurbished today are designed with a common aesthetic. Clean, modern lines are de rigueur. Open spaces and natural light are favoured, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows are a staple feature.
For such buildings, trench heating is an obvious choice. Since glass is a poor insulator, trench heating is ideal for installing around a room’s perimeter to recirculate and heat air to create a warm barrier between windows and the room’s occupants. Furthermore, it prevents both condensation and draughts from glazing. Trench heating has subtle and low-profile design aspects, and is suited to large commercial buildings due to its integrated design solution, creating more adaptability for space planning.
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| Trench heating next to full-height glazing prevents condensation and draughts. |
Trench heaters with fan-assisted low-water-content technology can quickly and efficiently heat a room, and can be used with environmentally-friendly, low-water-temperature heat pumps. The recently published ‘Domestic heat emitter’ design guide, which forms part of the MCS Installation Standards for heat pumps, is conclusive on the matter. Developed by the Heat Pump Association, this guide is endorsed by the Department of Energy & Climate Change, The Energy Saving Trust, and others, and clearly illustrates that fan-assisted radiators are suitable for a much wider range of applications than conventional heating technology.
A number of factors require careful consideration when installing trench heating. Water flow temperatures should be as low as possible to maximise heat-pump efficiency. Other factors to look at include whether fresh air is to be introduced directly into the trench, if control or power cabling need to be run within the trench, and whether draught prevention or fabric losses should be prioritised.
It is also important to find the correct solution with regards to size. For large commercial buildings that value open spaces and a minimalist, uncluttered feel, a trench-heating system that does not require a very deep floor space is ideal. Amongst its range of trench heating systems, Jaga offers a fan-assisted trench heater which requires only 65 mm floor space. Even with this small depth, by using low water flow temperatures from a heat pump, it is still able to achieve a substantial heat output of about 400 W/m length.
Within its series of trench heaters, Jaga offers a number of low-water-content, fan-assisted trench-heating solutions specifically designed to work with heat pumps. Providing rapid response times and low thermal inertia, they match emitter heat output precisely to the building heating demand. This means that substantial energy savings can be made when compared to traditional heating systems.
The low-voltage DC-controlled technology at the heart of these dynamic trench-heating systems improves airflow and provides a powerful output, giving them full compatibility with low-temperature systems such as heat pumps. They are an ideal solution for large commercial projects, due to their discreet yet powerful features.
We run CIBSE-accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars on facade heating. Register today at www.jaga.co.uk/technical-support/cpd-seminar-request to learn more about trench heating in large commercial spaces.
Paul Kingswell is commercial manager with Jaga Heating Products UK.
