Commercial heat pumps have been vaunted as an entirely good thing that will help to solve the country’s energy reliance on overseas imports as well as assisting with carbon reduction goals. Although it is fair to say that heat pumps for business premises will certainly help to deliver in both these regards, they are not the complete solution to either problem. Until the law changes - as it may do, at some point - making it mandatory for English businesses to do their bit for energy security and climate change, business owners have a choice of whether to fit them or not. Let's take a closer look into this technology by examining the drawbacks as well as the advantages they offer.
The Pros of Commercial Heat Pumps
To begin with, commercial heat pumps use a similar technology that domestic ones do. The only major difference is that you'll need an expert to design a system for you to meet the specific needs of your business premises. Given not all parts of the building may need to be heated or will require different temperatures depending on the activity, this means a bespoke system is preferable. That said, according to TJ Refrigeration – an expert in commercial heat pump design based in Rochdale - designing a system means being able to predict just how much companies will save from having one.
This leads us to the next point quite neatly: commercial heat pumps cost very little to run. Typically, businesses will save thousands in heating their premises depending on what their current utility bill is. As such, the more efficient the system, the sooner the break-even point will be arrived at. Please note that another positive about commercial heat pumps is that they are known to offer a very long lifespan. As such, when the break-even point has come about, the savings are likely to last for some considerable time. This means they’re also inflation-proof to rising energy costs.
Of course, many English businesses want commercial heat pump technology because it is greener. It certainly is compared to burning fossil fuels to heat a boiler or power electric heaters. Remember, too, that commercial heat pumps don't just heat but cool in the summer, too. As such, their green credentials will also be felt in the summer months due to lower air-conditioning usage. No wonder, there are a number of regional funding schemes in England you can explore if you want a commercial heat pump installation for your business.
The Cons of Commercial Heat Pumps
With so much going for them, you might wonder why anyone would not want a commercial heat pump for their commercial premises. The major disadvantage of them is their upfront cost. Although prices are dropping, they constitute a significant investment, albeit one that is likely to pay off in a few years' time.
In some cases, leaky buildings with insufficient insulation are no good for commercial heat pumps. The fact is they tend to suit more modern buildings and new builds because fewer adaptations will be needed. Equally, you cannot pick one up and take it with you if you ever choose to move from your current location.
Finally, it should be said that commercial heat pumps may struggle to provide sufficient heat during particularly cold snaps. As such, you might find you need back up heating systems or a temporary solution in mid-winter. In fairness, not all companies that have them suffer from this problem. Generally speaking, it comes down to how insulated your building is and how far north in the country you happen to be located. As such, they can't be considered a carbon-neutral heating solution. They can only help with reducing carbon footprints just like many other sustainable energy sources.
To Sum Up
On balance, commercial heat pumps have a great deal to offer English businesses that own their own property. If you rent or might be moving soon, then they may not be for you. That said, once installed, they will add value to the property since they will go on to reduce energy consumption for decades and even longer, in some cases.
Equally, you might be put off investing in a system because of their notorious initial outlay. That's why it is a good idea to carry out a feasibility study with an expert in cooling and heating technology. This way, you will be able to work out when you'll get your money back. Remember that there is a reputational aspect to this. Brands with an environmental agenda often benefit from these sorts of technologies among savvy consumers, after all.
