Vent-Axia is leading the way in energy efficient technology by adding ground source and air source heat pumps to its comprehensive product portfolio. This addition of renewable energy products complements Vent-Axia’s existing Lo-Carbon™ ventilation range, forming part of a whole house package of measures designed to reduce household energy consumption.
Against the backdrop of tackling climate change and maintaining secure energy supplies, it is key the UK embraces renewable energy technology to reduce the demand for fossil fuels and in turn the levels of CO2 emitted. The launch of Vent-Axia’s heat pump division is therefore a timely addition for specifiers and contractors and complements its comprehensive Lo-Carbon™ ventilation range.
“Vent-Axia currently supplies many Lo-Carbon™ products into the marketplace; its heat pump range will complement products, such as the Sentinel Kinetic Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, as part of a whole house package of measures designed to reduce the energy consumption for the homeowner. We now have to focus on whole house efficiency if we are to reach zero carbon homes in 2016 and UK carbon targets,” says Richard Paine Product Marketing Manager, Heat Pumps, Vent-Axia.
On the road to zero carbon homes in 2016, carbon emission reduction targets are set to increase. The latest legislation driving this is Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Building Regulations which comes into force in October and features a new Target Emission Rate (TER) representing 25% sweeping improvement over the previous 2006 Building Regulations, in line with Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3.
To achieve the Code’s staged carbon reductions the UK needs to move towards low energy homes which are well insulated, air tight and use very little heat energy. Such air tight low carbon homes require an effective lo-carbon ventilation strategy. For instance, to meet Code Level 4, homes need to achieve a 44% carbon reduction, requiring further reductions in air permeability and so making MVHR systems an increasingly popular ventilation choice. Once energy efficient ventilation is in place selecting a renewable heat technology, such as air source or ground source heat pumps, is the next step in making further reduce carbon emissions.
To incentivise homeowners to invest in low carbon renewable heating the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is planned for introduction in April 2011 and will support the installation of heating devices by giving annual payments to the homeowner based on a deemed heating requirement measured in kW/h. A rise in renewable heat technology is necessary to meet the UK’s first three carbon budgets and to meet the UK’s obligations in the context of the EU’s renewable energy target.
“With the RHI planned for introduction in April 2011, renewables are likely to become an increasingly attractive option for homeowners, specifiers and landlords. Heat pumps in combination with low carbon ventilation will make a valuable contribution to reducing the carbon produced by UK homes,” adds Richard Paine.
The introduction of renewable energy products combined with the innovative Lo-Carbon™ ventilation range will offer plumbers, heating engineers, refrigerant engineers, ventilation installers and specifiers unrivalled access to extensive technical advice, design and ventilation applications expertise. Vent-Axia’s aim will be to deliver low building energy consumption and work towards lowering carbon emissions.
For further information on all products and services offered by Vent-Axia telephone 0844 856 0590.