Latest news with #NationalAuditOffice
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
The heat pump guide … everything you need to know
Record numbers of heat pumps were installed in the UK in 2024, according to the Heat Pump Association. At just under 100,000, the figure is well below the government's ambitious aim of 600,000 a year by 2028 but is at least edging in the right direction. Even so, it's clear that many more people will need to make the switch from gas boilers to the more carbon-friendly heat pumps if the UK is to meet its net zero goals. The heating and cooling of homes and commercial buildings accounts for 26% of global energy-related emissions, according to the International Energy Agency. In the UK, the National Audit Office reported last year that heating 28m homes created 18% of all UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. So it's probably time for many more of us to understand the steps we can take to lower the carbon footprint of our homes. Heat pumps take heat from outside, make it warmer, and transfer it into a building to provide heating and hot water. Depending on the type, pumps can extract heat from the air, ground or water. They can also work in reverse, absorbing heat from a building to cool it down. It may seem counterintuitive, but at the heart of a heat pump is a refrigerant that flows constantly through the system. The process starts with the refrigerant in liquid form absorbing heat from outside. As its temperature rises, the refrigerant turns into a gas (it's like water evaporating at 100C – but with a refrigerant it happens at far lower temperatures, even subzero). The gas flows to a compressor where its temperature is increased because, put simply, the compression means the molecules have less space so they collide more, releasing heat. It's this higher level of heat that is transferred from the refrigerant gas to a building's heating system – warming water for radiators and the hot water tank. Having given up its heat, the gas is decompressed, and turns back to liquid, allowing the cycle to begin over again. Crucially, this also works efficiently in harsh Nordic climates like Sweden, where heat pump manufacturer NIBE is based and the systems are commonplace. Here are the three main types of heat pump on offer: Air source heat pumpThis is the most common form of domestic heat pump in the UK and, as the name suggests, it uses outdoor air to start the 'refrigeration cycle'. The external workings are contained in a box about the size of two wheelie bins, while inside the property a hot water cylinder is needed. Ground source heat pumpThis is the subterranean version, which makes use of underground heat. Pipes are laid under, say, a lawn or in boreholes and a liquid (mainly a mixture of water and antifreeze) is circulated through them to absorb the heat. The heat is transferred into the building where the heat pump raises the temperature for heating and hot water. Ground source heat pumps are more efficient than air-source pumps but can cost more to install. Exhaust air heat pumpThe third type is the exhaust air heat pump, a ventilation system which is growing in popularity, especially with people living in flats, as they don't require an outdoor unit or ground work, just a simple vent in the wall. Here, the heat pump uses waste heat that it draws in from inside the house, extracting the energy to heat radiators or underfloor heating, as well as a hot-water cylinder. The cold, stale air is then exhausted out of the building through the vent, so the system provides heating, hot water and ventilation, and improves air quality by preventing the build-up of condensation. How long do they last?With regular servicing and maintenance, heat pumps will last, on average, for 15 to 20 years. The switch to heat pumps is mainly focused around decarbonisation, the climate crisis and the drive to net zero. But it could also significantly help reduce air pollution. A study published by the University of York found that gas boilers were responsible for 72% of the nitrogen oxides in central London between 2021 and 2023. Rather than running on fossil fuels such as gas, heat pumps use electricity, which, while currently more expensive than gas, can use more sustainable sources – particularly as more wind and solar farms are being built. Heat pumps also use energy more efficiently than gas and oil boilers, and can be up to six times more energy efficient, in the case of the latest NIBE ground source heat pump. To truly enjoy the benefits of a heat pump, it's essential that you get the right one for your home and that it's properly installed by experts. The website, for example, has a step-by-step guide to heat pump installation, setting out all the considerations. Pretty high on the list will be cost – and it's worth knowing that depending where in the UK you live there are grants available, including £7,500 towards an air and ground source heat pump in England and Wales through the boiler upgrade scheme. In Scotland, the government is offering a home energy grant of up to £7,500, plus an additional £7,500 available as an optional interest-free loan. Another benefit is that no VAT is charged on heat pumps in the UK. You'll need your property to be well insulated and, as heat pumps typically operate at lower temperatures than gas boilers, you might need to increase the size of your radiators so they emit sufficient heat. All houses will need a heat loss survey and inspection of their systems before the heat pump is installed. Michael Dungworth, head of technical at NIBE, says: 'The first thing to consider when planning an installation is finding an MCS-certified installer, who can decide on the best solution that would be right for your property.' The company has been making renewable energy solutions since 1952, and has been at the forefront of heat pump technology, producing ever more efficient units, and innovations such as the exhaust air heat pump, most recently with cooling capabilities. 'At NIBE, our products build on decades of research and development,' says Rick Clarke, product manager at NIBE. 'Our units are highly efficient with low running costs, so they contribute towards a sustainable environment.' NIBE has also recently been awarded Quiet Mark certification for its core product range. 'This highlights our commitment to delivering exceptional indoor climate systems, with minimal disruption to home life,' he says. So whether you want to do your bit for the environment by reducing your carbon footprint, or potentially lower your energy bills, a heat pump could be the solution for you. NIBE combines smart technology with renewable energy to produce energy-efficient solutions for heating your home. Take a look at its full range of heat pumps
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Children and patients deserve to be safe in schools and hospitals
Around £1.2 billion – part of funding packages announced in last year's autumn budget – will be spent on repairing crumbling schools and hospitals across the country, the Government confirmed. Pupils at 656 schools and sixth forms will benefit from a share of this year's £470 million Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), used for projects like fixing crumbling roofs and removing asbestos. More than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750 million to tackle problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues. Projects to deliver improvements to schools and hospital buildings will be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, with the first upgrades to begin this summer, the Government has said. More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges across England were forced to shut down days before the autumn term in 2023 amid concerns that classrooms and other buildings containing reinforced autoclaved concrete (Raac) were unsafe. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The defining image of the school estate under the previous government was children sitting under steel props to stop crumbling concrete falling on their heads. It simply isn't good enough. 'Parents expect their children to learn in a safe, warm environment. It's what children deserve and it is what we are delivering. 'This investment is about more than just buildings – it's about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this Government is determined to give them the best possible start in life.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'A decade and a half of underinvestment left hospitals crumbling, with burst pipes flooding emergency departments, faulty electrical systems shutting down operating theatres, and mothers giving birth in outdated facilities that lack basic dignity. 'We are on a mission to rebuild our NHS through investment and modernisation. 'Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose. Through our Plan for Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future.' A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) in January estimated it would cost around £13.8 billion to address the repairs and remedial work backlog for hospitals and other NHS properties in England, and an additional £13.8 billion to address the maintenance backlog across the school estate. The Department for Education has confirmed a £2.1 billion investment for the school estate for 2025/26, almost £300 million more than the previous year. Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, described the funding boost for school buildings as a 'welcome start'. But he added: 'It is clear that much more Government investment and a long-term plan is needed to restore the school estate to at least a satisfactory condition.' Julia Harnden, funding specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'The wider problem is that there is a massive £13.8 billion maintenance backlog across the school estate and we are still nowhere near the level of investment needed to address this. 'The fact that schools and sixth form colleges have to bid for funding for urgent repairs and maintenance is in itself a sign of the inadequacy of overall investment and is effectively an annual exercise in papering over the cracks.'
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Children and patients deserve to be safe in schools and hospitals
Around £1.2 billion – part of funding packages announced in last year's autumn budget – will be spent on repairing crumbling schools and hospitals across the country, the Government confirmed. Pupils at 656 schools and sixth forms will benefit from a share of this year's £470 million Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), used for projects like fixing crumbling roofs and removing asbestos. More than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750 million to tackle problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues. Projects to deliver improvements to schools and hospital buildings will be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, with the first upgrades to begin this summer, the Government has said. More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges across England were forced to shut down days before the autumn term in 2023 amid concerns that classrooms and other buildings containing reinforced autoclaved concrete (Raac) were unsafe. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The defining image of the school estate under the previous government was children sitting under steel props to stop crumbling concrete falling on their heads. It simply isn't good enough. 'Parents expect their children to learn in a safe, warm environment. It's what children deserve and it is what we are delivering. 'This investment is about more than just buildings – it's about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this Government is determined to give them the best possible start in life.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'A decade and a half of underinvestment left hospitals crumbling, with burst pipes flooding emergency departments, faulty electrical systems shutting down operating theatres, and mothers giving birth in outdated facilities that lack basic dignity. 'We are on a mission to rebuild our NHS through investment and modernisation. 'Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose. Through our Plan for Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future.' A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) in January estimated it would cost around £13.8 billion to address the repairs and remedial work backlog for hospitals and other NHS properties in England, and an additional £13.8 billion to address the maintenance backlog across the school estate. The Department for Education has confirmed a £2.1 billion investment for the school estate for 2025/26, almost £300 million more than the previous year. Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, described the funding boost for school buildings as a 'welcome start'. But he added: 'It is clear that much more Government investment and a long-term plan is needed to restore the school estate to at least a satisfactory condition.' Julia Harnden, funding specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'The wider problem is that there is a massive £13.8 billion maintenance backlog across the school estate and we are still nowhere near the level of investment needed to address this. 'The fact that schools and sixth form colleges have to bid for funding for urgent repairs and maintenance is in itself a sign of the inadequacy of overall investment and is effectively an annual exercise in papering over the cracks.'
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
Children and patients deserve to be safe in schools and hospitals
Children and patients deserve to be safe and comfortable in schools and hospitals across England, ministers have said as the Government set out funding allocations for building repairs. Around £1.2 billion – part of funding packages announced in last year's autumn budget – will be spent on repairing crumbling schools and hospitals across the country, the Government confirmed. Pupils at 656 schools and sixth forms will benefit from a share of this year's £470 million Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), used for projects like fixing crumbling roofs and removing asbestos. More than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750 million to tackle problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues. Projects to deliver improvements to schools and hospital buildings will be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, with the first upgrades to begin this summer, the Government has said. More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges across England were forced to shut down days before the autumn term in 2023 amid concerns that classrooms and other buildings containing reinforced autoclaved concrete (Raac) were unsafe. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The defining image of the school estate under the previous government was children sitting under steel props to stop crumbling concrete falling on their heads. It simply isn't good enough. 'Parents expect their children to learn in a safe, warm environment. It's what children deserve and it is what we are delivering. 'This investment is about more than just buildings – it's about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this Government is determined to give them the best possible start in life.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'A decade and a half of underinvestment left hospitals crumbling, with burst pipes flooding emergency departments, faulty electrical systems shutting down operating theatres, and mothers giving birth in outdated facilities that lack basic dignity. 'We are on a mission to rebuild our NHS through investment and modernisation. 'Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose. Through our Plan for Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future.' A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) in January estimated it would cost around £13.8 billion to address the repairs and remedial work backlog for hospitals and other NHS properties in England, and an additional £13.8 billion to address the maintenance backlog across the school estate. The Department for Education has confirmed a £2.1 billion investment for the school estate for 2025/26, almost £300 million more than the previous year. Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, described the funding boost for school buildings as a 'welcome start'. But he added: 'It is clear that much more Government investment and a long-term plan is needed to restore the school estate to at least a satisfactory condition.' Julia Harnden, funding specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'The wider problem is that there is a massive £13.8 billion maintenance backlog across the school estate and we are still nowhere near the level of investment needed to address this. 'The fact that schools and sixth form colleges have to bid for funding for urgent repairs and maintenance is in itself a sign of the inadequacy of overall investment and is effectively an annual exercise in papering over the cracks.'
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Children and patients deserve to be safe in schools and hospitals
Around £1.2 billion – part of funding packages announced in last year's autumn budget – will be spent on repairing crumbling schools and hospitals across the country, the Government confirmed. Pupils at 656 schools and sixth forms will benefit from a share of this year's £470 million Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), used for projects like fixing crumbling roofs and removing asbestos. More than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750 million to tackle problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues. Projects to deliver improvements to schools and hospital buildings will be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, with the first upgrades to begin this summer, the Government has said. More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges across England were forced to shut down days before the autumn term in 2023 amid concerns that classrooms and other buildings containing reinforced autoclaved concrete (Raac) were unsafe. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The defining image of the school estate under the previous government was children sitting under steel props to stop crumbling concrete falling on their heads. It simply isn't good enough. 'Parents expect their children to learn in a safe, warm environment. It's what children deserve and it is what we are delivering. Bridget Phillipson (Ben Whitley/PA) 'This investment is about more than just buildings – it's about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this Government is determined to give them the best possible start in life.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'A decade and a half of underinvestment left hospitals crumbling, with burst pipes flooding emergency departments, faulty electrical systems shutting down operating theatres, and mothers giving birth in outdated facilities that lack basic dignity. 'We are on a mission to rebuild our NHS through investment and modernisation. 'Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose. Through our Plan for Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future.' A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) in January estimated it would cost around £13.8 billion to address the repairs and remedial work backlog for hospitals and other NHS properties in England, and an additional £13.8 billion to address the maintenance backlog across the school estate. Wes Streeting (Lucy North/PA) The Department for Education has confirmed a £2.1 billion investment for the school estate for 2025/26, almost £300 million more than the previous year. Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, described the funding boost for school buildings as a 'welcome start'. But he added: 'It is clear that much more Government investment and a long-term plan is needed to restore the school estate to at least a satisfactory condition.' Julia Harnden, funding specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'The wider problem is that there is a massive £13.8 billion maintenance backlog across the school estate and we are still nowhere near the level of investment needed to address this. 'The fact that schools and sixth form colleges have to bid for funding for urgent repairs and maintenance is in itself a sign of the inadequacy of overall investment and is effectively an annual exercise in papering over the cracks.'
