Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)

If appropriately designed, ASHPs can be an effective means of providing heating energy for dwellings in temperate climates,
such as that of Ireland. They utilise ambient air as a heat source; however, more sophisticated systems may use recovered
exhaust air to drive the heat pump process, where this is available. ASHPs will still use electricity or gas to fuel them, but,
the correct use of an electrically powered heat pump can be cheaper than using a condensing-gas boiler, as well as
reducing operational carbon emissions. They are best suited to LTHW heating systems & while they will take up minimal
space, their efficiency will vary with external temperature. Critically to be most effective they require highly efficient homes.

Community Heating
The housing density estimate for the site indicates that community heating may be an option. However, the key
parameter with regard to the feasibility or otherwise of a Community heating scheme is the heat demand density;
this is reduced not only when the dwellings are spaced further apart but also when the dwelling is better
insulated. New dwellings will be significantly better insulated and the viability of a CH scheme decreases as the
thermal - heat – load & density of the development reduces. Therefore, a detailed engineering study will be
required to determine the feasibility or otherwise of installing such a system.

Ground Source (Geo-thermal) Heat Pumps (GSHP)

Geothermal systems consist of three parts: the ground heat exchanger, the heat pump unit, and the heat
delivery system (Rads &/or underfloor heating), GSPHPs heat pumps can be open or increasingly, closed
loop systems. As with an ASHP they are best suited to LTHW heating systems – underfloor &/or radiators- & while the
heat pump unit itself will take up minimal space, the ground collector will require space to install a horizontal collector – most
economic & easiest to install, or where external space is restricted vertical boreholes – more expensive but boreholes
requires less space. Again, to be most effective they require highly energy efficient homes & specifically the building fabric,
to minimise heat losses.

Condensing Gas fired Boilers

there is existing gas infrastructure in the vicinity of the site.
Because of this, the use of Condensing boilers can be considered. These boilers operate much more efficiently than
traditional, non-condensing ones as they extract more heat from the flue gases. However,in certain weather conditions,
particularly when it’s cold, the temperature of the flue gases may drop, and a boiler plume may become visible, at the flue.
While this is normal, it can damage the building fabric. In addition, because of the system operating temperature, there may
be an occupant perception that heating system is not working properly as the surface temperature of radiators will not be as
hot as with a traditional boiler.