With every week that passes, the likelihood increases that your next home heating system will involve a heat pump.
As part of its Climate Action Plan, the Irish Government has already banned oil boilers from new build homes (as of 2022) and from 1 January 2025, the same will apply to gas boilers. Heating our homes with high-carbon fossil fuel systems will soon be a thing of the past – and rightly so.
For anyone building a new house and considering their heating options, therefore, a straightforward decision awaits. In tandem with the ban on oil/gas boilers, all new buildings occupied since the beginning of 2021 must meet the Government’s ‘Nearly Zero Energy’ (NZEB) performance standard, which states that the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a large extent by energy from renewable sources.
This criterion has had a profound effect on Ireland’s new build market, with figures released by the Department of Housing showing that 95% of all new homes built in 2023 had electrical heating systems installed. The vast majority of these systems are heat pumps.
Ireland’s transition to renewable energy means that heat pumps are now a specific consideration during the planning stage of any self-build project. Architects must factor the different elements of a heat pump into the design, striking a balance between aesthetic ideals and practical considerations.
We caught up with Adrian King, MRIAI, Director of McKevitt King, a renowned architectural firm based in Drogheda, Co. Louth, to ask how people should incorporate heat pump into their design plans.
“We’ve been dealing with heat pumps for almost 20 years now,” says Adrian. “Nearly every new house or refurbishment has one because they’re one of the most effective ways of maximising energy efficiency, often in tandem with other renewable technologies such as photovoltaic or PV panels.
“Discuss heat pump at an early stage”
“The selection of a heating source is part of the overall design process that we discuss with homeowners at an early stage,” he says. “For example, energy aware architects will try and maximise the site’s solar orientation and improve passive design. Once that part is achieved, the active design is discussed including the heating source, type of windows, level of insulation, solar screening, etc.”
When it comes to aesthetic considerations, of course, every new home is different. This is especially true for self-build projects, where homeowners invest huge time and effort designing every last detail of their dream home. Everything must be just so – and that includes the heating system.
“The aesthetics of the heat pump are important,” nods Adrian King, Principal Architect with McKevitt King. “The external unit needs to look well so it doesn’t detract from the architectural design. Location is important, of course – at design stage we designate a place for the outdoor unit, normally in a logical position close to the indoor equipment but somewhere outside that’s inconspicuous, maybe at the side of the house.
“Over the years, heat pumps have reduced significantly in size and this is very helpful,” he adds. “Historically, they were quite large and difficult to conceal but nowadays they are more sleek in terms of their design and certainly easier to integrate successfully into the design scheme.”
Popular choice: Altherma 3 R F
Size is a significant factor when it comes to the indoor unit as well, with many homeowners opting for smaller yet powerful units such as the acclaimed Altherma 3 R F unit, whose 600mm x 600mm footprint neatly corresponds with most white goods and utility appliances.
“Normally, the indoor unit is positioned in a cupboard in the utility room with other M&E (mechanical and electrical) equipment, while some homeowners will design a special plant room,” says Adrian. “Although plant rooms are not absolutely critical, we do need to consider where the equipment is going to go at the design stage.
“The heating control system is another important consideration for architects in terms of specification,” Adrian points out. “Daikin heat pumps have integrated controls which make it easy for the homeowner to operate and adjust water and heating requirements for their specific living patterns. Good controls and operation of the heating system help to reduce energy use further – an important consideration in the overall building lifecycle.”
Today, almost every new self-build home in Ireland will have a heat pump installed. For anyone designing the home of their dreams, remember that while a heat pump is the most sustainable way to future-proof your family’s energy needs, it must also fit with the aesthetic of your lovely new home. Talk to your architect and local heat pump installer to understand your options.
Start your heat pump journey
Thinking about installing a heat pump to reduce your household’s energy consumption? Find out more about the first steps towards your reliable, renewable, energy-efficient system for domestic heating, cooling and hot water here.
Products mentioned
Daikin Altherma low temperature split