Claiming a UK first, housebuilder Bellway has installed a roof-mounted air source heat pump as part of a trial exploring new ways to incorporate low-carbon technology into homes.
Bellway worked closely with Worcester Bosch to prepare for the trial, with the company providing the Bosch 3400i Hydrotop Solution unit. It will be tested in an experimental eco house, The Future Home at the University of Salford, which exists inside a climate-controlled chamber and will test low-carbon technologies and their impact on the cost of living.
The house has been specially engineered to support the 200kg air source heat pump within the roof space. A second unit will be fitted to an external wall to enable comparisons to be drawn between the two installations.
With heat pumps expected to replace natural gas boilers in most homes when they are phased out from 2025, this trial is designed to help overcome barriers to installation and make them a more attractive option to homeowners.
The trial will also test underfloor and infrared heating, as well as a host of low-carbon innovations. These include mechanical ventilation, double versus triple glazing, battery storage for solar energy and a shower which transfers heat from wastewater to warm the incoming mains supply mains.
Jamie Bursnell, group technical and innovations manager for Bellway, said: “During the research period we will have people living within the home to test the performance of the heat pump during real-life use. If the unit in the loft performs well, it could create a new way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on space or aesthetics.
“We are looking to find the optimum settings to maximise effectiveness and minimise cost for our customers. We will be able to compare the data from the two heat pumps to determine the most viable option for the future. The results could influence how householders make decisions as they replace their boilers in the coming years.”
Darran Burrage, UK new build director at Worcester Bosch, adds: “One barrier for existing properties to convert to a heat pump is size and location. By placing an air source heat pump in the loft of The Future Home, the trial will hopefully pave the way for an alternative location and if successful enable more homeowners to see the technology as a viable greener heating alternative in the future.”
Bellway’s Future Home at The University of Salford is in its final stages of build. In the new year, guests will be invited to stay in the home so data can be collected on the effectiveness of each innovation. Experts at the university will analyse the results to help determine the most viable ways for the industry to move towards net zero.
