'Accelerating means choosing all-electric' 

Off the gas today? If it is up to Rudy Grevers of Alklima/Mitsubishi Electric, yes. "We are launching a heat pump this year that makes it possible to make 75°C central heating water, even when it is -15°C outside," says the housing manager.

More than 10 years ago, it was still very common to install central heating boilers in residential construction, says Grevers. "Although technology has been constantly developing for 70 years, for a long time it was not common to install a heat pump instead of that boiler. Basically not so crazy, because gas was widely available. In the meantime, however, the sustainability challenge demands gasless solutions for cooling, heating and ventilating buildings."

The challenge is in the existing house

Making existing construction gasless differs from new construction, Grevers explains. "After all, existing construction is never about one type of home. There are homes from different construction years, so the starting points differ for each complex. If we want to take a renovation home off the gas, we look at the best solution for each situation. We consult with several parties, such as the installer, the housing corporation or the contractor. All parties are needed to take sustainable steps."

'We don't believe in hybrid'

Alklima believes the focus in the energy transition should be on all-electric systems that completely replace the central heating boiler. Grevers: "With all-electric we can accelerate. We do not believe in classic hybrid heat pump systems, because they are not a long-term solution. In a nutshell, a classic hybrid system uses a central heating boiler in combination with a heat pump. This has limited power and cannot prepare domestic hot water. Especially in combination with solar panels, many residents will be disadvantaged with such a system, because they cannot use the surplus power in the summer months to prepare tap water. We find this objectionable, as many homeowners and tenants are already financially strained by high energy prices. In a few years, the balancing scheme will no longer be as it is now. You want to prevent residents from having to pay for feeding energy back in that case. A temporary hybrid solution is not a problem, but we do recommend installing a heat pump that can prepare tap water and provides more capacity than 3 to 4 kW. Especially in view of the gas-free society starting in 2050. The heat pump must be ready for this gas-free future. We call that all-electric-ready."

New product line: heat pump makes 75°C central heating water

Alklima is about to launch a new product line from Mitsubishi Electric that allows it to make 75°C central heating water with a heat pump even when it is -15°C outside. "That's at the level of the old-fashioned central heating boiler and the most future-proof solution." Grevers says that the first step is always to reduce energy demand, and that starts with post-insulating the outer shell, among other things. Step two is to look at the type of delivery system (radiators, floor heating) and what supply temperature is currently being used. By properly insulating, a lower supply temperature is possible. "Depending on that, we advise whether all-electric-ready or all-electric is the best solution, also depending on the space available in the homes."

Long-term solution

Those who invest in all-electric are investing in a good and long-term solution, Grevers emphasizes. "The advantages of all-electric go much further than sec the efficiency advantage of a heat pump. Because where the energy tax on natural gas goes up, the tax on electricity goes down. In a gasless home, the fixed fee for the gas connection (administrative and network management costs) is eliminated. Moreover, a gasless home increases substantially in value. An energy label jump from, say, C to A already results in an increase in value of 5.4%! Not unimportantly, reinvestment in the future - when a switch to all-electric is required - is avoided. Not to mention the benefits in terms of comfort and reduced CO2 impact."

Resident communication

A heat pump does require different occupant behavior than a central heating boiler, Grevers continues. "In a manner of speaking, you can shower endlessly with a central heating boiler. With a heat pump that works just a little differently. Lowering the thermostat in the evening, for example, is no longer desirable in many situations. We believe it is important to inform consumers properly about this. Thanks to training, information and extensive documentation, our installers can tell this story well. Moreover, in serial projects we attend residents' meetings to explain and answer questions. In many neighborhoods this works much better than sending a manual. Sustainability is not just about providing a technical solution, it is also about people."