HPA - Experts & Thought Leaders

Johnson Controls commercial heat pumps are delivering a competitive advantage to customers and partners across all industries – from global industrial and manufacturing organizations to hospitals, local municipalities, and utilities – while having a positive impact on the environment. The results are significant: In 2024, Johnson Controls helped cut customers' expenses by 53% and reduce emissions by 60% compared to conventional natural gas boilers.  Words from Johnson Controls VP "In this dynamic world, we are working in true partnership with our customers to deliver on multiple key priorities. Our state-of-the-art heat pumps ensure uptime, runtime, and reliability,” said Johnson Controls Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer Katie McGinty. “At the same time, cash is being conserved for growth as heating costs are cut by more than half, providing a significant competitive advantage." "Achieving these outcomes while also accelerating climate action is just the kind of all-in partnership that our customers are calling for. We are honored to join with them in making the vision a reality today." Energy usage for heat More than 60% of the energy used by European industries is for heat According to the European Heat Pump Association, more than 60% of the energy used by European industries is for heat. Similarly, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates that heat pumps could replace up to 80% of industrial boilers in the U.S. by 2050. Both estimates indicate that heat pump-driven electric systems have immense potential to drive energy security, affordability and sustainability. Transformative impact of heat pumps The transformative impact of heat pumps on communities and businesses globally is demonstrated through several Johnson Controls projects across the world. For example, a food company in Spain saved €1.5 million annually and reduced CO2 emissions by nearly 2,000 tons—the equivalent of the annual emissions of around 400 homes—by installing heat pumps at two manufacturing facilities. Central district heating network In Germany, a hospital utilized a heat pump to tap heat energy 200 meters below the facility, resulting in a 30% reduction in energy costs and producing enough heat to cover 80% of the hospital's demand, while Children's Hospital of Alabama in the U.S. put heat pumps and OpenBlue digital solutions to work to reduce natural gas needs by 69% and annual energy costs by $680,000. Starting in 2026, four large-scale heat pumps in Hamburg, Germany, will extract heat from treated wastewater and feed it into the central district heating network, heating around 39,000 homes. And in the U.K., Hounslow Council transitioned from gas boilers to Johnson Controls air source heat pumps, cutting energy costs and CO2 emissions by 50% across more than 60 schools and public buildings. Initial providers of heat pumps Johnson Controls is helping to lead the transition to more sustainable refrigerants as well Johnson Controls was among the first providers of heat pumps and today offers one of the world's most comprehensive portfolios for commercial, institutional and industrial organizations. Johnson Controls is helping to lead the transition to more sustainable refrigerants as well, offering heat pumps that use low and ultra-low global warming potential fluids. Recent innovations Recent innovations include the 400-ton YORK® CYK Water-to-Water Compound Centrifugal Heat Pump, which meets high-temperature requirements of up to 180°F and is up to four times more efficient than traditional boiler and chiller combinations, reducing energy consumption and operational costs. Similarly, the YORK® YMAE modular air-to-water heat pump provides hot water up to 140°F and ensures reliable heating even in harsh winter conditions, making it a versatile and resilient solution for various climates. In Asia, two new heat pumps were recently launched—the YORK ® HPS-H 200 Screw High-Speed VSD Permanent Magnet High Temperature Heat Pump and the YORK Next-Generation YSPA-V Air Source VSD Screw Heat Pump, which provide efficient, energy-saving and low-carbon solutions for various industries.

Hewer, a regional pioneer in sustainable heating solutions, has launched Heat Saviour™, a groundbreaking technology that simplifies heat pump installations and maintenance, saving time, money and hassle. As part of its Net Zero plan, the government aims to install 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028, with gas boilers banned in new homes from 2027. Installing heat pumps Yet heat pump sales fell short last year, barely hitting 100,000, according to the Heat Pump Association Yet heat pump sales fell short last year, barely hitting 100,000, according to the Heat Pump Association. In response, the government has pledged to double the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to £295m and launched a public awareness campaign to spotlight the £7,500 heat pump grant. Stuart Hesk, Director at Hewer, said: “Installing and retrofitting heat pumps can be complex, costly and disruptive. They are often designed with non-universal parts, requiring entire heating systems to be ripped out – systems that could have years of use left in them." Install and maintain a heat pump Hesk added: “Heat Saviour™ is a much smarter and cheaper way for engineers to install and maintain a heat pump, making property management easier and improving residential satisfaction." "We saw the huge amounts of unnecessary waste, cost and downtime that installing and retrofitting heat pumps was causing, and so, as a customer-first business, we set about inventing a solution to tackle these issues.” Traditional heat pump systems Heat Saviour™ is a first-of-its-kind pre-assembled unit that conveniently sits underneath Heat Saviour™ is a first-of-its-kind pre-assembled unit that conveniently sits underneath a standard hot water cylinder, transferring the heat fed from the heat pump through a plate exchanger, which indirectly powers the central heating system.  Unlike traditional heat pump systems, which tie households into specific manufacturers’ components due to their singular loop design, Heat Saviour ™ enables the use of off-the-shelf components for quicker installation. Heat pump circuit Operating on a dual-circuit loop, the heat pump runs independently of the existing central heating, eliminating the need for system overhauls. This minimizes disruption and downtime, cuts labor costs by up to 20%, and delivers homeowners savings of up to £2,000 per installation. With glycol only in the heat pump circuit, it cuts glycol use by 80%, which is better for the environment, and allows radiator maintenance without the costly expense of having to drain and replace the glycol solution. Vericon Systems connected solution The unit also has a built-in backup heating element, which can either be switched on manually The unit also has a built-in backup heating element, which can either be switched on manually or controlled remotely using a Vericon Systems connected solution.  This avoids downtime during maintenance or pump failure-crucial for vulnerable people- and reduces how often engineers need to enter the property. Installed in 1000 social homes Over 1,000 social housing properties across the South West are already benefiting from Heat Saviour™ including those managed by social housing providers; Two Rivers Housing, Bromford, Green Square Accord, Rooftop Housing Group, Community Housing and Cottsway Housing Association. Stuart continues: “There’s been no post-installation callbacks on the social housing installations since we implemented Heat Saviour ™. One of the reasons for this is due to the central heating circuit being separate from the heat pump. This helps to prevent sludge from older systems - often still present even after cleaning - from reaching the heat pump filters, which can reduce performance and affect reliability." Installations from new builds Stuart added: “Our mission was to design a cost effective, durable and sustainable solution with lower upfront costs and simple servicing, which makes the government heat pump grant go further." "A design which simplifies installations from new builds to even older properties, which aren’t conducive to heat pump systems; meeting the needs of all homeowners, landlords and tenants, including social housing providers." Shelf-life of the heat pump Stuart added: “A compact unit which fits into a standard 600mm by 600mm cupboard, Heat Saviour™ works with all major heat pump brands and comes with a lifetime guarantee on its parts. It ensures that the heat pump runs more efficiently, cutting energy waste and enhancing the system’s overall effectiveness." "The shelf-life of the heat pump also improves as there’s no relying on manufacturers’ own parts, which can go out of production, while less glycol in the system dramatically reduces the system's impact on the environment.” Heat pump installation Daniel McNally, Director of heat pump installation firm, EcoHeat Plumbing, Heating and Renewables, said: “Heat Saviour has now become a standard part of our toolkit for every suitable heat pump installation." "It delivers on every front, lower installation costs, simpler maintenance and enhanced homeowner satisfaction. For us, it’s more than a product, it enables better service and advances system design.” Adopt greener heating methods Stuart added: “If the government succeeds in its goal of installing heat pumps in 600,000 UK homes a year, and each property is fitted with a Heat Saviour™, that’s an annual saving of £1.2 billion for the economy." "Our unit empowers more communities to adopt greener heating methods, and most importantly, offers peace of mind – delivering reliability without the fear of premature failure.” Modest heating and plumbing service Hewer was founded in 1965 by David Hewer, starting as a modest heating and plumbing service in Gloucester. The company now employs over 160 people at its offices in Quedgeley, offering a wide range of heating, mechanical, electrical and renewable services for both domestic and commercial customers.

Qvantum, a globally renowned expert in heat pump technology, is proud to announce its participation in a prestigious EU Pilot project, Annex 62, aimed at advancing innovation and development within the heat pump sector for multi-family residential buildings in cities. This collaboration underscores Qvantum's commitment to leveraging its extensive knowledge and expertise to contribute to significant advancements in the sector. key challenges of heating and cooling Qvantum is participating within the Swedish initiative that is also a contributing party towards Annex 62 together with the Research Institute of Sweden (RISE), financed by the Swedish Energy Agency, and IKEA. The EU Pilot project, Annex 62, brings together a consortium of industry experts, research institutions, property developers and governmental bodies to address key challenges and explore new opportunities within the heating and cooling industry.  Groundbreaking initiative Qvantum will provide its specialized knowledge and the expertise of its seasoned professionals As a vital contributor, Qvantum will provide its specialized knowledge and the expertise of its seasoned professionals; Thomas Nowak, Head of Political Affairs and Government Relations and former Secretary General of the European Heat Pump Association together with Per Rosén, Tekn. Dr. and Specialist in Energy Systems, to drive the project's success. "We are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking initiative," said Fredrik Rosenqvist, CEO of Qvantum, adding "Our team is eager to collaborate with other distinguished partners and bring our know-how to help achieve the project's ambitious goals." Adoption of heat pumps The project will focus on identifying and overcoming barriers to the adoption of heat pumps in urban multi-family houses, with Qvantum playing a crucial role in knowledge around heat pumps for multi-family residential buildings in cities.  This involvement not only highlights the company's leadership in the field, but also reinforces its dedication to fostering sustainable and impactful advancements.