Mitsubishi Electric shows heat pump works with microbore pipework
Mitsubishi Electric, the renowned manufacturer of the UK’s celebrated Ecodan heat pumps, has released a groundbreaking new white paper that unveils an innovative integration of air source heat pumps with microbore pipework commonly found in homes constructed during the 1970s and 1980s. This development aims to significantly lower the cost of retrofitting heat pumps and make the transition from traditional fossil fuel boilers more appealing to homeowners.
As the UK continues its dedicated push towards achieving the legally binding net zero target by 2050, a significant obstacle lies in decarbonising home heating systems by moving away from gas boilers. Presently, over 80% of UK households heavily rely on gas, underscoring the urgent need to shift towards sustainable heating technologies like heat pumps to play a pivotal role in achieving net zero emissions. However, reservations surrounding retrofit costs and the misconceptions surrounding heat pump technology have impeded progress towards the government’s ambitious target of installing 600,000 heat pumps annually.
The white paper titled ‘The Mitsubishi Electric Guide to Residential Air Source Heat Pumps and Microbore Pipework’ effectively challenges the prevailing notion that microbore pipework is incompatible with heat pumps. Through compelling evidence, the white paper demonstrates that making the switch to renewable heating can be made more accessible for homeowners by reducing the disruption and costs associated with retrofitting.
Joanna Crown, Product Marketing Manager at Mitsubishi Electric, elucidates: “Addressing the climate crisis necessitates making low-carbon heating solutions accessible to homeowners. With approximately 5 million UK homes equipped with microbore pipework, it is gratifying to showcase through our research that contemporary heat pumps can be seamlessly integrated with these existing systems, thereby saving on installation expenses and minimising disruption.”
Microbore pipework, distinguished by pipes with a diameter less than 15mm, gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s owing to its affordability and ease of installation. Traditionally, these systems were deemed incompatible with heat pumps due to their lower temperatures and smaller Delta-T (ΔT – the variance between water flow and return temperatures). However, Mitsubishi Electric’s research demonstrates that with accurate design and calculations, Ecodan heat pumps can be effectively retrofitted into homes equipped with microbore pipework.
Notable findings in the white paper comprise recommendations for installers on aligning existing heating system operation conditions with the heat pump’s performance. Moreover, the white paper features a compelling case study from an installer who successfully retrofitted a heat pump with microbore pipework, underscoring the significance of meticulous design and calculations to ensure economical and efficient installations.
In addition, Joanna Crown asserts: “With grants from the UK and Scottish governments such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offering £7,500, and the Home Energy Scotland grant ranging from £7,500 to £9,000, numerous homeowners are primed to embrace heat pump technology. However, concerns regarding retrofitting pipes and radiators have posed a challenge. This white paper underscores that, in numerous instances, the transition can be seamless and cost-effective.”
Mitsubishi Electric’s white paper furnishes invaluable guidance for both installers and homeowners contemplating the switch to heat pumps without necessitating the replacement of their entire heating systems. By directly confronting the retrofitting challenge, Mitsubishi Electric is actively propelling the UK towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.
To access more information and download the complete white paper, please visit Mitsubishi Electric Microbore Whitepaper at the Document Library on Mitsubishi Electric’s website.