8.3.3 Heat pumps
Systems which transfer heat from low energy sources.
The most common sources are ground, outdoor air, and exhaust air. See figure 1 to 4.
Definitions for heat pumps#
Coastal locations | A site within a distance of 500m from the general coastline of the United Kingdom |
Controls | Controls are used to operate and/or regulate the system and may be electrical or mechanical |
Exclusion zone | An area where entry is restricted during periods when maintenance is in progress, to prevent risk of injury or loss of life |
Exhaust air heat pump | A subset of air-source heat pumps, exhaust-air heat pumps are typically combined with mechanical ventilation to extract and reuse heat from the exhaust air |
Ground collectors | The component of a ground source heat pump system which absorbs heat from the ground. Collectors can be installed either horizontally or vertically in the ground. They may also be incorporated into proprietary foundation systems |
Low or zero carbon (LZC) technologies | A term applied to renewable sources of energy, and also to technologies which are significantly more efficient than traditional solutions, or which emit less carbon in providing heating, cooling or power |
Monobloc heat pump | A type of heat pump in which all of its components are in one unit; in the case of air-source heat pumps, this will usually be located outside the dwelling |
Open loop system | A heat pump system that extracts water from an underground source, pumps it through a heat exchanger and returns it underground |
Performance | The manner or quality of functioning for a material, product or system |
Refrigerant pipework | Carries refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor unit of a split system. Normally made of copper and must be insulated and protected from damage |
Renewable energy | Energy from naturally available sources that can be replenished, including energy from the sun, the wind and tides, and from replaceable matter such as wood or other plant material |
Split system heat pump | A type of heat pump in which the condenser is located indoors, the evaporator is located outdoors, and the two are linked by refrigerant pipework |
Switchgear | The combination of electrical switches, fuses and/or circuit breakers used to isolate electrical equipment |
Clauses for 8.3.3 Heat pumps
- 8.3.3.1 Compliance
- 8.3.3.2 Provision of information
- 8.3.3.3 System design
- 8.3.3.4 Pipes, insulation and protection from cold
- 8.3.3.5 Ground collectors
- 8.3.3.6 Building integration
- 8.3.3.7 Fixing
- 8.3.3.8 Access
- 8.3.3.9 Electrical installation requirements
- 8.3.3.10 Handling and storage
- 8.3.3.11 Sequence of work
- Figure reference table
Last updated: 2nd January 2024