Mitsubishi Electric’s new white paper, Unlocking High Temperature Heat Pump Adoption, outlines how next-generation high-temperature capability heat pumps can play a pivotal role in decarbonising home heating while reducing the cost, disruption and complexity often associated with retrofit projects.
The paper comes as the government seeks to accelerate progress towards its legally binding 2050 net zero target and increase heat pump deployment to 450,000 installations per year by 2030. While heat pump sales continue to grow, Mitsubishi Electric recognises that significant barriers remain for homeowners, landlords and social housing providers seeking to transition away from fossil fuel heating.
According to the white paper, many of the challenges associated with heat pump adoption stem from concerns around upfront costs, installation disruption, compatibility with existing heating systems and uncertainty about performance. These barriers are particularly acute in retrofit projects, which will account for the vast majority of homes requiring decarbonisation over the coming decades.
Buildings are responsible for around 21% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions and four out of five homes that will exist in 2050 have already been built. Retrofit solutions are therefore essential to meeting legally binding climate targets.
Mitsubishi Electric believes that advances in high-temperature heat pumps that use R290 refrigerant offer a practical solution for retrofitting a home.
Unlike low-temperature heat pumps, Mitsubishi Electric's Ecodan R290 heat pump can deliver flow temperatures of up to 75°C, enabling many homes to retain existing radiators and pipework, including microbore systems commonly found in UK housing stock.
According to the report, this approach can significantly reduce installation costs, shorten installation times and minimise disruption for homeowners and social housing residents.
James Chaplen, Head of Product Marketing and Communications at Mitsubishi Electric, said:
"Heat pumps are critical to achieving Britain’s net zero ambitions, but adoption will only accelerate if solutions align with the realities of existing homes. High-temperature heat pumps can help Britain achieve mass market rollout of heat pumps. They offer a practical pathway, minimal disruption method to retrofit millions of properties without the extensive upgrades that have traditionally been associated with heat pump installations."
The white paper also highlights successful collaboration with Sovereign Network Group (SNG), one of the UK's largest housing associations. Pilot projects using Ecodan R290 heat pumps demonstrate that existing radiators and microbore pipework could be retained, reducing installation times by up to 40%, lowering costs and improving the household experience.
However, Mitsubishi Electric warns that current regulations have not kept pace with technological advances.
The report identifies key regulations that restrict the deployment of high-temperature heat pumps. Mitsubishi Electric is calling on policymakers to review and amend these regulations so that they reflect the capabilities of modern heat pump technology.
The company is also urging government to address the "spark gap" – the significant price disparity between electricity and gas – which remains a major barrier to consumer adoption of low-carbon heating.
James Chaplen added:
"The technology exists today to help Britain achieve its heat pump deployment ambitions. What is needed now is a policy environment that supports innovation, removes unnecessary barriers and gives homeowners, landlords and social housing providers the confidence to invest in low-carbon heating."
The white paper concludes with a call for industry and government to work together to accelerate the transition from fossil fuel heating to deliver a more energy-secure, low-carbon future for UK households. The White Paper can be found here
