Efficient Heating Circulation Must Be Kickstart to Warm Homes Plan
Posted by: electime 16th December 2024
With the Warm Homes Plan aiming to combat fuel poverty and make homes across the UK more energy-efficient, local authorities and housing associations are being urged to look into the capabilities of smart heating circulation.
The callout comes from Wilo, the efficiency-first pump manufacturer. With winter upon the UK, many people are facing the dilemma of ‘heat or eat’ once again. The government recently announced it would look to tackle this issue through the Warm Homes Plan, where 300,000 homes could be in receipt of upgrades such as heat pumps and insulation that will help heat their homes more efficiently. As part of the plans, £3.4bn is being made available over the next three years for the upgrades, with specific funds set aside for social housing.
However, while heat pumps should lower energy spend and greater insulation will help homes retain heat, Wilo highlights that many homes could simply benefit by having energy efficient heating circulation pumps to distribute hot water around the heating system more effectively and without having a huge impact on the homeowners’ energy bills.
Andy Thompson, National Sales Manager, Plumbing and Heating at Wilo UK, said: “It is great to see that the government is committing to solving a problem plaguing many homes, as so many people struggle to heat their properties. Heat pumps and better insulation would undoubtedly be a good way to tackle the issue, but, at the same time, both options require extensive remediation works which take time and cost a lot of money.
“Given this, we would encourage local authorities and housing associations to start with the basics, which is to install an energy efficient heating circulation pump across their housing stocks, as the benefit will be felt immediately. Many homes across the country still use fixed speed, non-intelligent heating circulation pumps that work all day long. These pumps use more electricity than modern, smart variable speed pumps, and often do not perform as well as their newer counterparts. Swapping to a modern heating circulation pump can be as little as £100 for the unit, with energy savings reflecting in lower bills straight away.
“For housing associations that are already switching homes onto heat pump technology, we also urge them to change the heating circulation pump at the same time. These are truly the ‘beating heart’ of a heating system. Old, fixed speed pumps would likely negate any savings made by the heat pump otherwise.”
Heating circulation pumps are designed to circulate hot water throughout a home’s heating system, ensuring even distribution of heat. This not only enhances the comfort of residents but also optimises the performance of the heating system, leading to significant energy savings.
Andy continued: “Modern heating circulation pumps, like those in Wilo’s PICO range, are highly energy efficient. They can lower energy bills and ensure that all areas of a home are evenly heated, preventing cold spots and improving overall comfort.
“Besides that, as we enter colder months and temperatures drop, there is a risk that old, fixed speed pumps could break down as they must work harder. These pumps are now non-compliant so they shouldn’t be being sold or fitted to peoples’ heating systems. They have the potential to cause strain on other components in the heating system too, like boilers, ultimately costing more money to fix in the long run.”
Andy also recommends that any heating circulation pump specified and installed should come through reputable manufacturers, with the right certifications. He warns that non-compliant, fixed speed pumps have made their way into the UK market, and not only could they potentially break down sooner than expected, but they may also be dangerous.
“We believe that efficient heating circulation pumps should be a priority in the Warm Homes Plan, but it’s important that these pumps come through the right channels, and hold the right certifications, said Andy.
“Non-compliant pumps may not perform as stated, therefore costing more to run than they claim, and may not save people money as expected, or heat the home effectively. As they do not meet the latest standards and possibly have not been tested in the right way, they could even be unsafe. We are here to advise about pump specification, what to consider, and what to avoid, and even have a compliance checking service for those who may be unsure.”
For more about Wilo UK, please visit www.wilo.co.uk.
