Redrow to fit heat pumps as standard
24 January 2023
Redrow has become the first large house builder to fit air source heat pumps as standard on its new developments from this month onwards, in a move away from traditional gas boilers.
This comes as the government aims to make all new build properties gas-free from 2025 and Redrow itself is committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2050.
The company says it has seen increased demand for energy-efficient features from homebuyers in recent years, and that in a recent survey three quarters (74 per cent) of UK adults said that living in an energy efficient home is more important to them now compared to a year ago.
Currently, Redrow homes benefit from a 10 per cent reduction in heat loss compared to its previous builds and are 63 per cent more efficient than homes built in the 1970s. Fitting air source heat pumps should further increase the efficiency of its homes.
The house builder says that its designs typically have a larger square footage than other new builds and that these integrate smoothly with heat pump technology, using ground floor underfloor heating to complement open-plan layouts. The company says that the lack of ground-floor radiators gives customers even more living space.
Redrow is working in partnership with heat pump manufacturers Mitsubishi, Vaillant and Daiken for installation, with each offering their own training centre for installers to ensure a smooth transition from gas boilers
.In one real-life trial which monitored usage comparing energy consumption for heating and hot water against a benchmark home with a traditional gas boiler, the heat pump was shown to consume significantly less energy, operating at an efficiency of around two to three times that of an A-rated boiler, states Redrow.
And taking a wider perspective, if air source heat pumps increase in popularity, contractors and installers could be busy removing old boilers and fitting the new alternatives, leading to demand for hired equipment to do the work.
Photo: Redrow plc
