Retrofitting Heat Pump Systems in Large Non-domestic Buildings

Accelerating the deployment of heat pumps in large non-domestic buildings

IEA’s Net Zero by 2050 Roadmap[1] shows that over 85% of our buildings need to be net zero by 2050. With heating accounting for over 50% of sector emissions, heat pumps are expected to make a very significant contribution: globally this could be equivalent to taking all EU cars off the roads[2]. Heat pumps sales have begun to rise: by 15% globally and 35% in the EU in response to the energy crisis. But installations have to more than triple by 2030 to meet net zero targets.

Policymakers are beginning to focus on accelerating heat pump deployment. New buildings can be addressed relatively easily through the building codes. But existing buildings – which make up over half of the potential savings – are much harder. In response the EU is planning a range of measures including minimum energy performance standards and bans on fossil-fuelled boilers. The UK is considering supply chain approaches such as heat pump installation targets for manufacturers. This policy focus will get more intense over the next few years.



The objectives of HPT Annex 60

Non-domestic buildings are responsible for around 30% of the sector’s emissions. However they are notoriously difficult for policymakers to address. For example, in the UK, non-domestic emissions are level, or even rising slightly, whereas domestic emissions are coming down. One of the key reasons for this is, unlike households, non-domestic building stock incredibly varied in form, size, function and therefore energy use, leading to a wide variety of possible heat pump system options.

Decision makers who own and operate these buildings tell us that this technical complexity creates a considerable degree of confusion. The principal objective of this Annex is therefore to identify and quantify these technical options more clearly and to provide simple advice and tools to help decision makers through the retrofit process. We will do this by:

• Reviewing the available published evidence, performance data and standards, both in the technical and academic literature.
• Analysing real-world case studies on what makes a successful retrofit project in a range of different building types and international circumstances.
• Developing simple high-level guidance to steer decision-makers through the complexity with examples that meet their circumstances.

Much policy attention, particularly in the EU, is being given to “deep” retrofit, where the entire HVAC system and building fabric is being upgraded. However this Annex focuses primarily on the much more common “medium” and “shallow” renovations, where, for example, a new heat pumps is installed alongside an existing gas boiler. These can be much more cost-effective but system selection can be very challenging.



The three principal target audiences for the Annex are:

• Building owners and managers, who will need a general understanding of the heat pump system options available to them.
• HVAC system designers and engineers, who will need more detailed information on system options, selection and design.
• Policy makers and their technical advisors, who will need sufficient information to assess the costs and likely outcomes of policy instruments.

[1] IEA (2021): Net Zero by 2050 A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector

[2] IEA (2022): The Future of Heat Pumps.



Contact

Peter Mallaburn, Operating Agent, UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero peter.mallaburn@energysecurity.gov.uk

Roger Hitchin, Technical advisor and HTP ExCo Alternate Delegate roger.hitchin@hotmail.com



Participating Countries

Austria, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands,The Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom