Interview with Kiernan Gallagher from Go Greener Energy Services

REM: Tell us a little about Go Greener Energy’s services and what you do?

Gallagher: We are a leading supplier of installations, repairs and services for the renewable energy sector. Although we are a relatively new organization, we have amassed a wealth of trusted resources with extensive experience in renewable energy who are trained, qualified and accredited to deliver energy-efficient solutions to domestic homes and a wide range of commercial and industrial sectors.

We believe in a sustainable future and are committed to helping our partners deliver solutions that deliver energy efficiency, reduced costs and reduced dependence on fossil fuels. All this is done in a cost-effective manner, with an emphasis on compliance and practicality of business operations.

REM: What are the advantages of heat pumps in terms of carbon emissions?

Gallagher: Heat pumps extract heat from natural sources – the ground or air – and use refrigerants to convert it into usable heat for heating and water heating in your home or business. It is an alternative to burning fossil fuels in the form of a gas boiler. Heat pumps therefore reduce carbon emissions, use renewable energy sources, reduce dependence on other heating sources and have a longer lifespan.

REM: What is the impact of heat pumps on energy bills?

Gallagher: A well-insulated home should be able to significantly reduce your energy bills by installing a heat pump. Heat pumps are up to three times more efficient than gas boilers, which means you can get more heating power while using less energy.

When a heat pump is operating, one unit of energy produces from 2 to 4.5 units of heat, which means that heat pumps have an efficiency of 200 to 450%. For comparison, a good gas boiler operates with an efficiency of approximately 92-94%, older boilers are much less efficient. Thanks to this, you can immediately see that heat pumps should significantly reduce your energy bills.

REM: What recent advancements have been made in heat pump technology?

Gallagher: The first heat pumps, which appeared 10-15 years ago, had difficulty reaching the supply temperature – the temperature of the water received in the radiators – 50°C. This was compared to gas boilers that produced a feed temperature of 60°C. Currently, heat pumps produce temperatures of around 70°C, which is more than enough to comfortably heat an average family home.

This is mainly due to advances in the refrigerants used in the heat transfer process. The industry phased out the existing R401A refrigerant and replaced it with R290, which reaches higher temperatures, is 34% more efficient, and is also easier to dispose of from an environmental point of view. R290 heat pumps are superior to R401A heat pumps currently available on the market. If we look at COP (Coefficient of Performance) values, which measure the heat produced in kWh for each kWh of electricity used in the process, gas boilers typically produce a COP of 3, but newer heat pumps produce a COP of closer to 4. As with everything , what comes with renewable energy, huge resources are being poured into developing even better solutions, which means these numbers are only likely to improve over time.

REM: How popular are heat pumps in the UK?

Gallagher: In 2023, 72,000 heat pumps were installed in the UK, but a commitment has been made to increase this to 600,000 installations per year over the next five years. This should result in 50% of UK homes having a heat pump by 2050. The Future Homes Standard – a commitment to install heat pumps in all new homes built from 2025 – should help accelerate this change.

REM: What other benefits come from installing heat pumps?

Gallagher: Installing a heat pump has many benefits that go beyond the positive impact on carbon dioxide emissions and reducing energy bills. There is no need to store fuel; operate efficiently regardless of the outside temperature; they operate very quietly, just like a refrigerator or freezer; you can integrate heat pumps with smart systems to make them easier to control and access remotely; a heat pump should last 20 to 25 years, which gives it a longer lifespan than the average gas boiler.

REM: When will heat pumps be installed in new houses?

Gallagher: This is already the case in some new homes, but from 2025 all new homes built in the UK will come with a heat pump as standard, as part of the Future Homes Standard, the government’s commitment to meet net zero targets by 2050.

REM: Can you still use gas boilers in your current home?

Gallagher: Yes, although the Future Homes standard ensures the installation of heat pumps in new homes built from 2025, this does not affect heating systems in existing homes. You can still buy new gas boilers and there is no imminent ban on the “use” of gas boilers. It is predicted that a ban on the ‘sale’ of new gas boilers in the UK could come into force around 2040, but nothing has been agreed yet.

REM: Are there any grants available to cover the costs of installing a heat pump?

Gallagher: Yes. A new heat pump installation will cost between £14,000 and £19,000, but there are grants available to help with this. For example, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) could give you £7,500 towards these costs. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme can also help eligible households with the costs of upgrading, while the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) can help you upgrade your home’s insulation, which is essential if you want to maximize the efficiency of your heat pump. Finally, the Home Improvement Grant (HUG) helps low-income households and rented accommodation with the costs of upgrading their heating and insulation.

REM: How can Go Greener Energy Services help with heat pump installations?

Gallagher: We can offer a lifetime solution to ensure you get the most out of any heat pump installation. From talking about your first thoughts about switching to heat pumps, right through to after-sales service and repairs.