Domestic Heat Pumps a Best Practice Guide
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Domestic Heat Pumps A Best Practice Guide Introduction The number of heat pumps installed in the UK has increased significantly over the past few years with around 20,0001 domestic heat pumps installed every year. This is expected to increase further due to rising fuel costs, government policy and the shift towards a more decarbonised grid. Therefore the potential market for heat pumps is huge. Scope and purpose However, for heat pumps to reach their full The purpose of this MCS Best Practice Heat potential it is vitally important that end users, Pump Guide is to support designers and particularly householders can make an informed installers of domestic scale heat pumps in choice and have confidence that once installed the selection, installation and commissioning their system will deliver on any benefits claimed of such heat pumps, including smaller in the contract. commercial scale, to ensure optimum performance for all parties involved but From an installation point of view, this can be especially the consumer. It also tries to achieved by applying best practice throughout improve the interface between installer and the whole customer journey. From pre-sales, consumer in encouraging information flow design and installation to commissioning such as performance estimates and the and handover. implications of consumer law. As an installer, this MCS Best Practice Heat MCS intends to issue specific advice for Pump Guide aims to assist you with all of consumers as a separate document. these stages. Consequently this guide primarily focuses This guide has been developed and written with on domestic scale heat pumps up to 45 kW the support of the following organisations, with including: input from the MCS Heat Pump Working Group (No 6) who subsequently approved the guide: • Air source • Energy Saving Trust • Ground source • Heat Pump Association (HPA) • Exhaust air • Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) But also touches on those that are less established, including: MCS would also like to thank the organisations above for contributing towards the funding of • Gas absorption the guide. • Gas engine • Thermodynamic/solar assisted • Heat recovery 1 Based on figures provided by the Heat Pump Association. Less than half of these are MCS registered meaning thousands are installed outside the ‘protection’ of MCS reinforcing the need to develop this guide. 01 How to use this guide Heat pump installers should consult these parts for specific best practice advice. This guide should be used in conjunction with The contractual issues explored in the latest version of the MCS Microgeneration Part 2 are described within the context Installation Standard: MIS 3005 V5.0. of heat pumps. It consists of three key parts: The case studies, examples and tips used in Part 1 this part should help clarify most of the issues Technical Guidance: a heat pump installer could encounter when Getting the design & installation right dealing with consumers. Part 2 Each chapter within Parts 1 and 2 contains The Contractual Issues: both a short summary of the key points Getting the contract right followed by more in-depth details. There is also Part 3 a part at the end with guidance on specific Specific Guidance on MIS 3005 V5.0 MIS 3005 clauses and associated documents. (forming MGD 002 Issue 2) 02 Health and Safety • Working in confined spaces - due care should be taken when working in confined The installation, operation and maintenance of spaces such as small plant-rooms, lofts or heat pump systems do not normally present under-floors. excessive health and safety requirements and should normally have a low/medium • Chemicals - all chemicals used, such risk. However, notice should be taken for the as water treatment, biocides, anti-freeze following with standard protocols adopted: etc. should be handled according to the manufacturers/suppliers instructions and • Electrical supplies - care should be taken with due caution. with any appliance that utilises electricity in any way and should only be installed and • High pressure systems - warning notices serviced by a competent electrician. should be provided at all points where pressure relief valves discharge. Heat pumps • Working at height - due care should be rarely require the high pressure refrigerant taken when working at height. circuit to be disturbed, however, if required, • Working below ground level - due servicing should ONLY be carried out by care should be taken not to enter any a correctly certified person and in most excavations below ground level without cases this will be a legal requirement for the adequate protection, e.g. such as temporary handling of ‘F’ Gas refrigerants. or permanent shoring of the sides of the • Specialist works - such as working on excavation. All services below ground or near major water courses, lakes, rivers, and especially electric cables should have canals etc. should have specific risk appropriate identification tapes buried above assessments carried out by competent the service to adequately warn the operator personnel. during any future excavation. Installers should also be familiar with all relevant health and safety legal requirements and information from responsible bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations and general electrical safety. If you have any suggestions for updates or amends to this Guide, please email: [email protected] 03 contents Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 01 Scope and purpose ............................................................................................................................................. 01 How to use this guide .......................................................................................................................................... 02 Health and safety ................................................................................................................................................. 03 Part 1 – Technical Considerations – Getting the design and installation right ............................................ 05 1.0 – Technical Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 06 2.0 – Choosing a Heat Pump system ................................................................................................................... 07 3.0 – Sizing the Heat Pump .................................................................................................................................. 12 4.0 – Selecting and Sizing Heat Emitters .............................................................................................................. 16 5.0 – Systems Design and Pipework Sizing .......................................................................................................... 19 6.0 – Controls Options ......................................................................................................................................... 23 7.0 – Optimising Unit & System Efficiency ............................................................................................................ 28 8.0 – Installation and Commissioning Advice ........................................................................................................ 32 9.0 – Operating Advice ........................................................................................................................................ 33 10.0 – Maintenance Advice .................................................................................................................................. 34 11.0 – Specific Requirements of Heat Pump Units and Systems.......................................................................... 35 Part 2 – Contractual Issues – Getting the contract right ............................................................................... 39 1.0 – Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 40 2.0 – Consumer Journey Options ......................................................................................................................... 41 3.0 – The Right to Cancel ..................................................................................................................................... 48 4.0 – The information you must provide ................................................................................................................ 53 5.0 – The information you choose to provide ........................................................................................................ 58 6.0 – Unfair Contracts .......................................................................................................................................... 66 7.0 – Unacceptable terms in microgeneration contracts ........................................................................................ 70 8.0 – Goods and services, including installation – your obligations in law .............................................................. 76 9.0 – Dealing with complaints and disputes .......................................................................................................... 79 Part 3 – A Guide to MIS 3005 ...........................................................................................................................