Carrier Urges Building Owners to Act Now to Secure Funding for Low-Carbon Heat Network Projects

Carrier is urging building owners and operators to apply for UK government grants to commercialise and construct new low- and zero-carbon heat networks before the funding application deadline expires. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.

There are a number of net-zero funding incentives available in the UK, including the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF). The GHNF is a capital grant programme that opened in March 2022 to help organisations in the public, private and third sectors in England develop low- and zero-carbon heat and cooling networks. The popularity of the initial £288m fund has meant more funding is available and can be drawn down in fiscal years 2023/24 through 2026/27.

After six rounds of applications, there are five more opportunities to apply with the next round closing February 23, 2024.

"Heat networks will be vital for helping the UK reach net zero," said Oliver Sanders, Commercial HVAC Director, United Kingdom & Ireland, Carrier. "Adopting heat pumps in these networks will provide highly efficient methods of heating and cooling to reduce carbon emissions."

According to the UK Government Heat and Buildings Strategy, heat pumps and heat networks are proven scalable options for decarbonising heat and will play substantial roles in achieving net zero targets. It says deploying at least 600,000 hydronic heat pumps per year to replace fossil fuel boilers by 2028 can keep the UK on track to get to net zero.

"When you consider that only 55,000 hydronic heat pumps were sold in the UK in 2021, there is work to do in order to reach the 600,000 per year target," said Sanders. "The GHNF provides an excellent opportunity to make up the deficit so the UK can benefit from energy-efficient district heating and lower carbon emissions. With the next round of government funding closing February 2024, we are urging organisations to submit their application and tap into this £288 million before it expires."

One groundbreaking heat network project already utilising Carrier heat pumps is in the City of London. The E.ON Citigen project is anticipated to cut carbon emissions from heating and cooling for customers connected to E.ON’s network by up to 50% and will enhance air quality in the city due to reduced emissions.

Carrier underscored its commitment to helping the UK achieve net zero by introducing a new line of high temperature and very high temperature heat pumps. Designed to reduce both carbon emissions and energy costs, the AquaForce^® and AquaSnap^® air and water source heat pumps offer capacities from 30 to 735 kW and water temperatures up to 120°C with low global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluoroolefin refrigerants.

Carrier’s 61CW-Z AquaForce^® high temperature heat pump

The City of London skyline – home to E.ON’s groundbreaking Citigen project utilising Carrier heat pumps