Lowering heating hot water temperatures – a vital step in commercial building electrification

Hosted at the University Of Technology (UTS) in Sydney, by A2EP CEO Jarrod Leak, and A2EP Technical Advisor, Michael Snow.

The Australian commercial building sector annually consumes more than 40 PJ of fossil gas, primarily for space heating. Such heating can be economically electrified with heat pumps to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. However, currently only around 20 commercial buildings are being retrofitted with heat pumps each year. At that rate, it will take several decades for the current building stock of approximately 5,000 large commercial buildings to get off gas.

A2EP has identified that lowering the temperature of hot water for heating is a vital step for the electrification of commercial buildings. It will deliver major energy efficiency improvements and can more than halve the capital costs of replacing a fossil gas boiler with a heat pump.

To build the capacity of the commercial building industry to install heat pumps and electrify building stock, A2EP has created a workshop which will outline a simplified testing methodology that helps assess the readiness of a site for heat pump integration, especially in brownfield or retrofit environments where existing infrastructure may pose challenges with guidance for stakeholders on two key activities:

1. Lowering HHW supply temperatures

The workshop will encourage initiating testing regimes to explore this possibility and ensure the system's performance at lower temperatures.

2. System capability testing

A generalised methodology for assessing whether existing HHW systems can accommodate lower supply temperatures will be presented and include baseline testing, field testing at reduced temperatures, and monitoring system responses such as flow rates and zone temperatures.

Learn more about the background of lowering hot water for heating in commercial buildings and more details on the workshop.

After the workshop, we will visit a commercial building in Sydney's CBD (location TBC). The day will conclude with networking drinks at a nearby bar, providing the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow professionals.

Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Register now for this opportunity to learn, discuss, and network with professionals dedicated to making commercial buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable.

Not in Sydney? Register for our Melbourne workshop on Tuesday 15 April.