IN SUMMARY
Matching a heat pump's clean operation with cleaner manufacturing
Matching a heat pump's clean operation with cleaner manufacturing
Heat pumps are established as a low-carbon alternative to gas boilers, with Gemserv's research finding a gas boiler generates 55% more emissions in use than a 10kW air source heat pump. But the emissions embodied in making a heat pump are increasingly under scrutiny from regulators, investors and customers. Minviro and Gemserv ran a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of a 10kW air source heat pump to measure those embodied emissions, identify the hotspots, and show how far they can be reduced.
Heat pumps are established as a low-carbon alternative to gas boilers, with Gemserv's research finding a gas boiler generates 55% more emissions in use than a 10kW air source heat pump. But the emissions embodied in making a heat pump are increasingly under scrutiny from regulators, investors and customers. Minviro and Gemserv ran a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of a 10kW air source heat pump to measure those embodied emissions, identify the hotspots, and show how far they can be reduced.
Heat pumps are established as a low-carbon alternative to gas boilers, with Gemserv's research finding a gas boiler generates 55% more emissions in use than a 10kW air source heat pump. But the emissions embodied in making a heat pump are increasingly under scrutiny from regulators, investors and customers. Minviro and Gemserv ran a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of a 10kW air source heat pump to measure those embodied emissions, identify the hotspots, and show how far they can be reduced.
Manufacturing carries a real carbon cost. A 10kW air source heat pump made with standard modern methods has 640 kg CO₂e of embodied emissions, before its clean in-use performance is counted.
Manufacturing carries a real carbon cost. A 10kW air source heat pump made with standard modern methods has 640 kg CO₂e of embodied emissions, before its clean in-use performance is counted.
Manufacturing carries a real carbon cost. A 10kW air source heat pump made with standard modern methods has 640 kg CO₂e of embodied emissions, before its clean in-use performance is counted.
Better choices nearly halve it. Switching to lower-carbon steel, recycled insulation and a lower-GWP refrigerant cuts embodied emissions by 46.8%, to 340 kg CO₂e.
Better choices nearly halve it. Switching to lower-carbon steel, recycled insulation and a lower-GWP refrigerant cuts embodied emissions by 46.8%, to 340 kg CO₂e.
Better choices nearly halve it. Switching to lower-carbon steel, recycled insulation and a lower-GWP refrigerant cuts embodied emissions by 46.8%, to 340 kg CO₂e.
Four hotspots dominate. Steel production, tube insulation, on-site manufacturing electricity and refrigerant choice account for the bulk of the footprint, and each offers a clear reduction pathway.
Four hotspots dominate. Steel production, tube insulation, on-site manufacturing electricity and refrigerant choice account for the bulk of the footprint, and each offers a clear reduction pathway.
Four hotspots dominate. Steel production, tube insulation, on-site manufacturing electricity and refrigerant choice account for the bulk of the footprint, and each offers a clear reduction pathway.
