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Gas Heat Pumps - the Next Generation Boiler?
The first products have already entered the residential market (8 million boilers are sold across Europe every year), and some predict a golden future for the technology - but the market is at an embryonic stage today, with the first products only just hitting the market and many more still under development.
"The technology is full of potential", says Lindsay Sugden , head of Delta-ee's heat pump research. "We see serious effort from major industry players to bring more products to market which will create serious competition for gas boilers. Sales today are only just getting going - 100s a year. Successful product launches and falling costs will be critical if sales volumes are to reach tens of thousands of units a year by 2020".
New in-depth research on gas heat pumps by Delta-ee, which analyses the current market and outlook for residential scale gas heat pumps in Europe , indicates that the best potential for gas heat pumps lies in markets such as the UK, The Netherlands , Germany , France and Italy .
"Four of the five biggest boiler companies in Europe have either developed their own gas heat pump, or are working with a specialist manufacturer to offer one", says Sugden. "Of course this isn't the only low carbon technology the heating industry is backing, but it's in the mix - and also being backed by several major European utilities".
Four reasons why gas heat pumps may have a strong future:
Hurdles which will need to be overcome first
Robust, reliable products working at a high efficiency and at low enough prices is a must - further investment is required for several products to reach the market, and product developers must reach desired specifications. Awareness of gas heat pumps amongst policy makers and other stakeholders is low. This will need to change to ensure the technology is integrated into incentive frameworks, standards and wider government policy. Installers will need to have confidence in the product, and be trained to install it. And existing or new supply chains and distribution networks will need to incorporate the technology or be built.
For more information on Delta-ee's recent in depth report on gas heat pumps, please contact Dr Lindsay Sugden , Head of Heat Pump Research at Delta-ee at lindsay.sugden@delta.ee.com.
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