The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) welcomes the Government Heat and Buildings Strategy published earlier this week as a step towards net zero. In particular, we support the focus on the need to decarbonise virtually all buildings, the encouragement for heat pumps and heat networks, the emphasis on energy efficiency of buildings and the system-wide approach to energy. The need for a whole system approach to efficiency– rather than just a component focus - is something that the IOR has been eager to see within policy for many years.  Equally the new focus on research and innovation, heat pump affordability and performance metrics for large industrial commercial facilities over 1000 m² is very much welcomed and will help the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP)industry sectors make real and sustained progress towards supporting owner-operator net-zero goals.

As the professional body for individuals working in engineering and technician roles in the RACHP sector, the IOR supports its members’ work to reduce the direct and indirect impact of cooling operations. The IOR sees this Strategy as an opportunity to input its expertise in professional education and skills standards to the proposed heat pump installation course.  There are some concerns about the potential for this to be delivered in one week or less, given the complex nature of these technologies and the need for technicians to have an in-depth understanding of their influence on the efficient and reliable performance of equipment throughout its life. We further note that maintenance skills are not explicitly covered here in spite of this aspect having proven in the past to be critical to customer confidence levels and successful long term market transformation.

IOR President Mike Creamer FInstR commented “The Heat in Buildings strategy states that emissions from cooling have been identified as being a significant contributor to national in the future. IOR members have significant experience in reducing the direct and indirect impact of cooling operations, and we would welcome the opportunity to work with BEIS to implement programs to support the mitigation of emissions from industrial and commercial facilities moving forward.  A pathway to Net Zero for owner operators of cooling and heating equipment has been developed by the Institute and it signposts key ambitions and strategies to achieve this in seven critical areas – such as developing the best people and skills, making the best use of technology, and integrating heating and cooling needs (www.ior.org.uk/beyond-refrigeration).  We recognise that these ambitions cannot be achieved by industry alone without Government support and see the new Heat in Buildings Strategy as an open invitation for policymakers to work more closely in these areas with professional experts such as the IOR.”

Download the Heat in Buildings Strategy from the Government website at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1026507/heat-buildings-strategy.pdf