News

SCHRI Grants

The range of NIBE exhaust air heat recovery heat pumps and outdoor air heat pumps has now been approved for funding through the SCHRI managed by the Energy Saving Trust. Householders and Community Groups can now apply for funding with up to 30% of the installed cost of a NIBE heat recovery heat pump available.

The first heat recovery heat pumps by leading manufacturer, NIBE, were installed in Sweden in 1980 and today 90% of new homes in Sweden have one installed. Designed for new homes of up to 170 sq.m floor area and developed in response to Sweden’s move to well-insulated houses, heat is recovered from the humid areas of the dwelling to maximise energy efficiency whilst ensuring poor, damp exhaust air is regularly replaced with fresh air. The recovered heat energy is used for heating and to provide hot water, creating a complete heating and ventilation system contained within a unit the size of a fridge-freezer and replacing the need for a boiler.

Ground source heat pumps from NIBE have been approved for funding for some time. The difference with the exhaust air heat pump and outdoor air heat pump is that it takes heat energy from the indoor air and outdoor air rather than from the ground which means that neither excavation nor external works are required. This is reflected in a lower installation cost.

"This is a particularly positive development as it means more people in Scotland will be able to benefit from the health advantages and running cost savings offered by these energy efficient heating systems" commented Scottish distributor Ecoliving Ltd's Marketing Director, Mark Henderson.