Future prospects for the electric heat-pump

Abstract

Trials are underway to investigate the technical and economic feasibilities of air-source heat-pumps in the UK. These trials show that the use of heat-pumps for domestic heating has significant potential environmental benefits in terms of the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions as long as the performance of current models can be improved. Indications are that, with the use of existing technology, running costs are potentially competitive with existing means for residential space-and-water heating. Considerable potential exists to raise the seasonal coefficient-of-performance of domestic heat-pumps to above 3. Combining performance improvements, a preferential heat-pump energy-supply tariff and possibly a government subsidy to help meet the capital cost could make domestic heat-pumps economically and environmentally competitive with the latest condensing-gas boilers. Some alternative designs for heat pumps are reviewed and assessed. This survey discusses basic principles and economics as well as the current and possible future developments in the design of domestic heat-pumps. It is concerned primarily with electric heat-pumps used in the UK for domestic purposes: these provide energy for whole-house heating and/or domestic hot-water.