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Articles



JULY 2011

ECODAN Air Source Heat Pump - Energy Efficiency


In new builds or renovations that are required to meet planning regulations 'Code for Sustainable Homes: Level 3', the Mitsubishi Ecodan Air Source Heat Pump could be the answer. You can have the option of underfloor heating or radiators supplied by a renewable heat source allowing you to live in a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment.

It works by using the low grade heat energy held within the outdoor air which it transfers via the heat pump supplying your home with heating and hot water with incredible efficiency. It follows the principles of a standard refrigerator in that it uses a vapour compression cycle and its main components include the compressor, the expansion valve and two heat exchangers (an evaporator and a condenser).

Once fitted, the controls are as easy to use as any other method of heating with thermostats allowing you to control the temperature room by room. And rather than setting the timer to heat the house before you come home, you can leave it at a constant temperature or reducing slightly at night or for economy in the daytime to find the perfect balance.

For every 1kW of electricity fed into Ecodan, you can get at least 3kW of heating energy working efficiently all year round even if the outdoor temperature should drop to -25 degrees C with the Zubadan model.

So, all in all it proves to be an efficient, easy to use and affordable heating alternative for your home or business. So why not call us at LYNXAC to discuss your new Ecodan Air Source Heat Pump on 0845 555 7080.





SEPTEMBER 2011

Delay of Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).


In March this year, details of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) were presented by Chris Huhne, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. The £860m scheme is designed to subsidise the use of renewable heating systems and technologies including biomass, ground source and water source heat pumps, solar thermal and biomethane.

 

Under the first stage of the RHI, organisations using renewable heat will receive quarterly payments for 20 years from the date they enter the scheme. There is also support available for existing eligible renewable heat equipment installed since 15th July 2009. A similar scheme for domestic users is due to begin next year.

 

The purpose of the RHI is to offer an investment in our future as well as several significant benefits:

 

  • To support emerging technologies and businesses in the UK;
  • To strengthens security of supply by offering several heating options
  • To reduces carbon emissions
  • Contributes to the Government’s commitment to introduce measures to promote a huge increase in energy from waste through anaerobic digestion.

The planned implementation date was set as 1 October however the launch has been delayed by at least a month as the Government await formal state aid approval from Brussels.

 

While The Department of Energy and Climate Change insist that the scheme is only being delayed rather than abandoned, the immediate fears are that as heat demand is seasonal, delaying until the end of November could mean many customers will either put off a decision until next winter or buy a new fossil fuel boiler now, locking them in to higher carbon heat for years to come.





OCTOBER 2011


Planning Permission for Air Source Heat Pumps


Installing an air source heat pump currently calls for an application for planning permission due to potential noise which could be experienced by neighbouring properties. While ground-source heat pumps and wood or fossil-fuel boilers are usually considered to be a ‘permitted development’ under planning regulations, the air source heat pump is not.


However, speaking at the opening of the first Southampton Eco Event, Chris Huhne, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, confirmed that the need for this planning permission will be lifted. He clarified that some restrictions such as consideration for noise and the number of heat pumps installed still had to be adhered to but that the process should now become very simple.

It is thought that new legislation will be in place later this year but that permission will not be required where the following criteria is met:

  • There is no wind turbine at the property
  • The external unit is less than 0.6 m3 in size
  • It is more than one metre from the edge of the householder's property
  • It is not on a pitched roof, or near the edge of a flat roof
  • It meets additional criteria if in a conservation area, World Heritage Site etc.

So if you are looking for an effective, renewable heating option such as an air source heat pump, contact us at LYNXAC on 0845 555 7080.





NOVEMBER 2011

F-Gas Compliance

 

F-Gases are chemicals that contain ‘Florine’ and strict regulations are in place concerning their safe handling.


The certification body Refcom state that companies  undertaking installation, servicing or maintenance on stationary  RAC equipment containing or designed to contain F-Gases must hold a company certificate. The deadline for full certification was 4th July.

 

In some cases however, companies working with refrigerants are mistakenly assuming that they are not required to gain full certification if they work on small systems below a 3kg limit. As a result they are not applying for full certification in compliance with the F-Gas Regulations.

 

The confusion seems to have arisen due to a clause in the regulations but Refcom Secretary Steve Crocker explains: ‘This is a serious misconception that needs to be clarified. The bottom line is that the 3kg limit is only applicable to leak checking. Failure to do so is a breach of the F-Gas Regulations. It’s that simple.’

 

Businesses need a Company Certificate if they employ personnel to undertake installation, servicing or maintenance on stationary RAC equipment that contains or is designed to contain F-Gases, regardless of the equipment’s system charge. 

 

Undertaking installation, servicing or maintenance activities on RAC equipment (containing less than 3kg of F-Gas), requires a minimum of a category II qualification. However a category III qualification is not sufficient for any service and maintenance work on equipment and only enables the holder to undertake recovery activities on RAC equipment. 

 

A category IV qualification only enables the holder to undertake non-invasive leak checking activities on any size of system. 

 

A Company Certificate is not required if only recovery work or leak checking activities are undertaken or ‘to any manufacturing and repairing activity undertaken at manufacturers’ sites for stationary refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pump equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases.’

 

Here at LYNXAC, you can be assured that we are fully certified and compliant with Refcom’s full regulations concerning the handling of F-Gas.