By continuing to view this resource, you acknowledge that Housebuild is not liable for any injury incurred as a result of the information provided on this page.
This section provides guidance on the specification of heat pump systems in dwellings.
Definition of a heat pump
A heat pump is a device that takes heat energy from a low-temperature source and upgrades it to a higher temperature at which it can be usefully employed for heating and/or hot water. Heat pumps may supply all or part of the space-heating load.
8.1 - Scope of guidance
The guidance in this section applies to the following types of heat pump technologies:
Table 28B
Heating systems using a heat pump as the heat generator (such as underfloor, warm air and medium temperature radiator systems) in new and existing dwellings should meet the following conditions:
Electrically driven heat pumps should have a coefficient of performance of not less than 2.50 when operating at the heating system design condition.
AND
The minimum provisions for supply temperatures, and for wet systems radiator efficiency, in systems using warm (and hot) water heat pumps as the heat generator should be met as given in Table 29 (row a).
AND
The minimum provisions for installation should be met as given in Table 29 (row b) for warm (and hot) water pumps and as given in Table 30 (row a) for warm air pumps.
AND
Where warm (and hot) water heat pumps heat pumps are used to meet all or part of the domestic hot water load, the minimum provisions for hot water should be met as given in Table 29 (row c).
AND
The minimum provisions for control of the system should be met as given in Table 29 (row d) for warm (and hot) water heat pumps and as given in Table 30 (row b) for warm air heat pumps.
Table 29
Table 30
Supplementary information – further guidance on heat pumps
EN 14511 Air conditioners, liquid chilling packages and heat pumps with electrically driven compressors for space heating and cooling;
ISO 13256 Water-source heat pumps – testing and rating for performance: Part 1 – Water-to-air and brine-to-air heat pumps and Part 2 – Water-to-water and brine-towater heat pumps; • Best Practice Programme: Good Practice Guide 339, Domestic Ground Source Heat Pumps, Design and Installation of Closed-loop System;
EN 378 Specification for Refrigerating Systems and Heat Pumps. Safety and environmental requirements
Microgeneration Certification Scheme standard MIS 3005 Requirements for contractors undertaking the supply, design, installation, set to work, commissioning and handover of microgeneration heat pump systems. Available from www.microgenerationcertification.org/mcs-standards/installer-standards.
Microgeneration Certification Scheme standard MIS 3007 Requirements for MCS contractors undertaking the design, supply, installation, set to work, commissioning and handover of a heating system containing a micro-cogeneration package. Available from www.microgenerationcertification.org/mcs-standards/installer-standards.
Fire safety Energy Heat pumpsUnderfloor insulationUnderfloor heatingUnderfloor heating pipesAir to water heat pumpAir to air heat pumpAir to ground heat pumpIS 440Time and temperatureZone controlGround conditionsAir tightnessAir tightness tapeTongue and grooveEnergy grantsBuilding energy ratingEnergy performance certificateHome energy assessmentWater pumpWater tankPump cavityAir tight membraneWater membraneWater vapour membraneVapour control layerPitchPilingFire stoppingPIPlanning permissionPlumbingPlanningPlasterboardEmployers liabilityPLPlugsStructurally insulated panelsSolar panelsFireline boardELElectric showersLight gauge steel