The UK’s heating industry is on the cusp of receiving a big boost, thanks to government funding designed to drive innovation forwards.
A competition was launched to allow companies to put themselves forward to receive a portion of the government’s Heat Pump Investment Accelerator funding, which has the principal aim of expanding the UK’s heating manufacturing output.
Which companies will be leading the way?
One of the recipients of the funding is a company called Gledhill, which is a leading manufacturer of hot water cylinders. Based in Blackpool, the company will now work in partnership with another company, Ideal Heating, to invest almost £12 million in sustainable heating manufacturing processes. Production facilities both in Blackpool and Hull, where Ideal Heating is based, will receive a significant boost in infrastructure and facilities, with the overall aim of increasing the output from both sites.
The money will be invested directly into equipment upgrades at both sites, as well as staff training and research.
What types of heating will be produced?
The two companies in question are industry-leading experts in the production of hot water cylinders and air source heat pumps. Air source heat pumps are an example of sustainable, environmentally-friendly heating processes – more information about air source heat pumps and their sustainable qualities can be found at Energy Saving Trust’s website.
Increasingly, thermal plasma spray, such as that manufactured by Poeton, is playing a part in innovative energy technologies.
The overall aim of this government investment in the heating industry is to work towards the government’s net zero target, which has 2050 as its target date for the UK to go net zero. One of the main aims of this agenda is to make the move from heating homes and offices using unsustainable fossil fuels and replacing those energy sources with sustainable, environmentally-friendly renewable energy technologies such as air source heat pumps. This low-carbon solution will have a significant impact on the UK’s overall carbon footprint and will lead the way among other nations aiming for a net zero approach to heating.