Minimum standards that should be met when installing a heat pump have been set out in a new charter document published by the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC).
The Heat Pump Charter document is intended to reflect the vital impact that good design and commissioning of heat pumps can have on the system’s efficiency and performance.
The HHIC said that although the core conclusions of the charter are not new, the document itself serves to bring together a range of best practice when planning to introduce a heat pump.
Core recommendations included in the new charter includes reiterating the importance of introducing cavity insulation in homes and a need to perform a full heat loss calculation before fitting a system.
Among the charter's recommendations are that any heat pump installations should be avoided in homes with solid walls unless insulation has first been introduced to the property. This recommendation also applies in properties that do not have double glazing windows in place unless it is hugely impractical or impossible under the Building Regulations.
Installers are also urged to ensure that all installed products have a valid ErP label that certifies performance and technical compliance .
Stewart Clements, director of the HHIC said publication of the new guidance was intended to expand current consumer protections for heat pumps to all potential users.
He said, “For example, the government currently believes proper insulation should be in place before a taxpayer-subsidy is awarded for a heat pump installation, but not if the consumer pays for the appliance. We want all consumers to get the best performance from their new appliance and urge the Government to extend this requirement for all installations.”
“There is plenty of evidence to suggest that consumers are not always getting the product performance they thought they would. This charter helps protect the consumer against dodgy appliances and poor installs.”
Mr Clements said that the charter was focused on ensuring the end user was central when planning to introduce a system. He said he hoped to see the government back the document and its conclusions.
