Growth time arrives for commercial heat pumps
Significant potential for the increased use of heat pumps in the commercial sector is expected as a result of the recent official extension the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, according to John Kellett, general manager of Mitsubishi Electric’s heating systems division. He says, ‘Heat pumps are one of the most straightforward renewable technologies to install, and they will provide a constant, comfortable level of heat to a building, whilst lowering running costs and reducing carbon emissions.’
Because heat pumps can work in tandem with existing heating systems, John Kellett says, ‘We will undoubtedly see growth as businesses realise that a modern heat-pump system will help reduce their monthly bills and cut emissions to help achieve carbon-reduction targets.’
Heat pumps are increasingly being used in commercial applications as diverse as schools, hotels and leisure facilities, offices and agricultural buildings. Where the RHI helps is in reducing the payback period and guaranteeing that businesses will receive a regular payment for the next 20 years — which provides a long-term and sustainable growth in the use of renewable technologies.
The tariff for air-source heat pumps is 2.5 p/kWh. The tariff for ground-source heat pumps is 8.7 p/kWh for the first 1314 full-load equivalent hours and 2.6 p/kWh thereafter.
Mitsubishi heat-pump systems offer heating from 4 to 960 kW. John Kellett summarises, ‘It’s all about giving businesses choice so that they can easily benefit from heat-pump technology and get lower running costs while reducing their carbon emissions.’
The company has a dedicated web site demonstrating how much a business can receive in RHI payments and the savings over gas, oil and LPG.
