The UK government has predicted a vast increase in heat pumps from 55,000 units per year to 600,000 units by 2028. They are offering a Boiler Upgrade Scheme which grants of up to £7,500 to encourage the switch from gas boilers to energy efficient heat pumps up until 2030.
Electric heat pumps, including both ground source and air source systems, represent an efficient and sustainable heating solution for the UK. These systems operate by extracting thermal energy from outdoor sources—either the ground or the air—and transferring it indoors using electrically driven compressors. When powered by renewable electricity, they offer a carbon-neutral method of heat generation. Heat pumps exhibit high coefficients of performance (COP) at moderate output temperatures, typically up to 60°C. For every unit of electricity used, heat pumps can generate 300-400% more heat, but the coefficient of performance dips drastically at higher temperatures.
How can you minimise the amount of heat loss?
The answer is pre-insulated pipe! Pre-insulated pipes are a critical component in the distribution of thermal energy from heat pump systems, to multiple buildings or zones. These pipes consist of a service pipe (typically steel or PEX), a layer of high-performance thermal insulation, and an outer protective casing, designed to minimise heat loss during transmission.
When used alongside heat pump systems, especially in low-temperature district heating networks, pre-insulated piping helps manage the efficiency of the system by reducing thermal losses over long distances. Since heat pumps operate most efficiently at moderate temperatures, preserving that temperature throughout the network is essential to maintain system performance and minimise energy waste.
Vargo Pipes provides an efficient and reliable way to carry heat from outdoor heat pumps into the home using a new generation ECOPEX system that incorporates the latest performance enhancing innovations and provides minimum heat loss.