EST Heat Pump Field Trial

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) is due to announce the findings of its field trials on heat pumps.

The trial has involved 85 installations of air and ground-source systems. Performance has been monitored for 12 months against lab-based testing results.

The trials, which have cost more than £500,000, represent one of the most expensive assessments yet of energy-saving measures undertaken by the Trust. EST worked with the Open University throughout the initiative and used EA Technology to carry out the monitoring and data collection.

One of the clear lessons of the field trials is that heat pumps need to be carefully specified by knowledgeable installers: without the right advice you may not achieve the savings in running costs and savings in carbon emissions you are looking for.

EST Trials of micro-wind turbines

Recent EST trials of micro-wind turbines have highlighted significant differences between manufacturers' claims and in situ performance.

The study of micro-turbines found that many devices in urban and suburban locations suffered from inadequate wind speeds and performed significantly worse than the manufacturers' claims.

As a result of this comprehensive study, the EST says that potential customers should be aware of the key points before choosing to install a domestic wind turbine:

•Wind turbines can work, but only when installed properly in an appropriate location.

•There is a potential for delivering carbon savings and energy generation from domestic small-scale wind turbines in the UK.

•The highest potential for successful household small-scale wind installations is in Scotland.

•Wind speeds are difficult to predict and highly variable. The Energy Saving Trust recommends that potential customers first utilise the best available wind speed estimation tools and then, where appropriate, install anemometry to determine the wind speed distribution.

•The introduction of product and installation standards will require that information from specific products is easily comparable.

•Customers are advised only to consider domestic small-scale wind products and installers that are certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.

•The Energy Saving Trust advice network is able to provide advice to customers to help determine if a wind turbine may be the right choice for their homes.

•Domestic consumers should consider energy produced from small-scale wind as only one option from a potential suite of microgeneration technologies.

EST Trials of cavity wall insulation systems

The audits of loft and cavity wall insulation showed that the measures yielded less than 70 per cent of the energy efficiency savings claimed.

See Ground Source Heating Ground Source Cooling Ground Source Energy

Energy Saving Trust Heat Pump Field Trial