Mitsubishi Electric supplies Ecodan residential heating systems to help Scottish Gas alleviate fuel poverty

(12/11/2009)

The Energy Assistance Package is funded by the Scottish Government to give advice and support to help households maximise income, cut fuel bills and make homes warmer and more comfortable.

Mitsubishi Electric has announced that it will be supplying up to 1,200 Ecodan® residential heating systems to Scottish Gas as part of the Scottish Government’s Energy Assistance Package. Ecodan is a modern air source heat pump which can help lower a home’s CO2 emissions by up to 50% and reduce running costs by at least 30% over modern gas boilers. Savings are even greater over older gas boilers, oil, LPG and direct electric heating systems.

The contract, which runs until the end of March 2010, will see the company supplying a variety of Ecodan models to help Scottish Gas alleviate fuel poverty north of the border. “We are delighted to be working with Mitsubishi to supply the Ecodan system in Scotland,” explained Stuart Margerrison, Director of Scottish Gas Contract Partnerships. “The energy saving potential will make a real difference to the lives of those who need it most.”

“This is a major endorsement for Ecodan and demonstrates the faith that Scottish Gas has placed in the system’s ability to reduce running costs for households,” said John Kellett, General Manager of Mitsubishi Electric’s Heating Division.

Mitsubishi Electric is predicting a healthy growth in the market for air source heat pumps as it announces the start of production of the low carbon residential heating system at its manufacturing facility in Livingston, Scotland.

“We expect that by 2016, the market could grow to around 120,000 units a year,” explained Kellett. “This is the date when the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes requires new built homes in England and Wales to be zero carbon.”

With space and water heating accounting for around 70% of the energy used in a home, anything that can reduce this consumption will have a large part to play. “Systems such as Ecodan offer a real chance of lowering the UK’s emissions, house by house, and also have the added benefit of reducing a household’s running costs, thereby aiding the battle against fuel poverty,” added Kellett.

Ecodan, which is accredited under the Government’s Microgeneration Scheme – making it eligible for a £900 installation grant – harvests renewable energy from the surrounding air so that for every 1kW of electricity it consumes, 3kW or more of heating energy is supplied.
“Ecodan has been on the market now for the past two years and we have been delighted at the response,” added Kellett. “The market is also much more aware of the potential of air source heat pumps now and so we are confident that we have the product range to meet demand as it grows year on year.”

Related categories:  Energy management   Heat pumps   Residential applications