I welcome and agree with the comments made by Mr P Christian, Isle of Man Climate Change Coalition (Isle of Man Examiner 25 February 2020, Opinions). Points raised by Mr Christian were against the misleading headline that stated the Isle of Man going electric now would increase CO2 emissions [published 18 February 2020].
An air source heat pump installed in a suitable property would in fact reduce CO2 emissions, due largely to lower amounts of electricity required to run them. A point which was well evidenced within the articles behind the headline and pointed out by Mr Christian.
Even before renewable energy sources are introduced, air source heat pumps can and will lower emissions as long as they are used in a suitable energy efficient and insulated property where there is sufficient space available to install one.
These could be new properties built to high energy efficient standards or retrofitted older properties. Retrofitting an existing property alone will reduce emissions to some degree while lowering household heating costs by reducing the need for using as much heating, no matter what a person’s current heating solution is. Effective initial retrofit upgrades can be relatively low cost and can be the first step towards reducing emissions that could lead to future improvements such as installation of and air source heat pump.
The articles published within the paper were well evidenced, well balanced and detailed, making a number of valid points such as; properties at Ayre View, Bride using less electricity due to the installation of air source heat pumps and the social housing development in Union Mills that are being built to a high standard of energy efficiency, making them suitable for electric heating.
As the Isle of Man Government works to implement its climate action plan and the Island as a whole moves towards a low emission future it is important that the Manx people receive accurate information so I thank Mr Christian for his views and for looking deeper past a misleading headline.
Minister Hon Geoffrey Boot, Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture
