To help exhaust air heat pumps reach their potential in the UK, heating manufacturer NIBE has published a guide explaining the European Commission’s decision to classify the technology as renewable.

Published on the company’s website at http://nibe.co.uk, the two-page factsheet explains the theory behind the official European guidelines on calculating renewable energy from heat pumps (2013/114/EU), which came into effect in 2013 and apply to all member states. They establish that exhaust air heat pumps (EAHPs) operating at a Seasonal Performance Factor (SPF) of 2.5 or more are legally classified as a renewable heating technology.

The publication of the guidelines means that NIBE’s full range of EAHPs is now deemed renewable and, along with other renewable solutions, can support the UK in meeting its binding renewable energy targets.

NIBE managing director Phil Hurley said: 'The decision to recognise exhaust air systems as renewables marked an important development for the European heat pump market as a whole – but many in the industry are still unsure about the capabilities this technology has in the UK. Designed to keep well-insulated homes warm, comfortable and healthy, exhaust air heat pumps will have an increasingly important role to play as we move towards a truly zero-carbon future, providing efficient space heating and hot water as well as much-needed ventilation.

'Here at NIBE, we’re committed to ensuring that this role is not overlooked because of a lack of understanding or awareness. We’re urging anyone in the trade who’s unsure about the facts about EAHPS – or the benefits they offer in the right applications – to utilise the tools on our website, or talk to our team of experts to find out more.'