CIBSE has released a new Domestic Heating
Factsheet to help homeowners ask installers and designers key questions before switching from a traditional boiler to a heat pump.
The free resource was developed by the CIBSE Domestic Building Services Panel. It is designed to support informed conversations with installers and help ensure new systems are safe, efficient and cost-effective.
The factsheet explains that heat pumps require smart design, correct installation, commissioning and operation. Unlike traditional boilers, heat pumps work most efficiently when they are precisely sized for the home. A system that is too large can be expensive to run, while a system that is too small may not provide enough heat on the coldest days.
The System Criteria Guide acts as a “passport” for the heating system. It records design decisions including indoor design temperature, space heating strategy and hot water priority. It also includes a sign-off section where the designer declares their qualifications and confirms the system meets safety regulations.
The document is intended to stay with the home throughout its life. This gives future engineers information on how the heating system was designed to perform during routine service or system upgrades.
CIBSE says the guide includes checks for bacterial protection against Legionella and scalding prevention. The document follows CIBSE standards and was developed on the back of the Domestic Heating Design Guide.
