Heat pumps

How does an air source heat pump work?

Air source heat pumps take heat from the air and transfer it to a fluid refrigerant. This fluid passes through a compressor, which raises the fluid’s temperature and transfers the heat to your central heating system.

What are the benefits of air source heat pumps?

There are several benefits of air source heat pumps:

Lower your energy bills: depending on what heating system you’re replacing, you can save money on your energy bills.

Reduce your energy use: unlike traditional boilers (which use fossil fuels), heat pumps use electricity. And heat pumps are more than three times more efficient than a gas or oil boiler, helping to lower your energy use.

Improve your carbon footprint: your CO2 emissions will be lower with a heat pump compared other types of heating. This is because they don’t use fossil fuels, instead taking heat from their environment.

Is an air source heat pump right for me?

Air source heat pumps are the most common type of domestic heat pump in the UK and are suitable for most types of homes. There are a few things you should consider before deciding whether a heat pump is right for you.

There are two main types: monobloc and split systems.

A monobloc system has all the components in a single outdoor unit. Pipes carry water to the central heating system and a hot water cylinder inside your home.

A split system separates the heat pump into indoor and outdoor units.

Monobloc systems tend to be more common because they’re cheaper and quicker to install. They don’t take up as much space inside your home, but they’re slightly less efficient than split systems.

Split systems can be more efficient because some of the heat transfer takes place inside the building where it’s warmer, resulting in less heat being lost.

A standard air source heat pump doesn’t provide hot water on demand like a combi boiler. So, when you’re thinking about your heating options, you’ll need a way of storing hot water for when you need it:

Hot water cylinders

The size of hot water cylinder depends on the amount of hot water your household typically uses. They can usually fit inside any cupboard that measures at least 80cm x 80cm.

Other options

If you don’t have space for a hot water cylinder, you still have options. For example, some hybrid heat pump systems have the heat pump providing heating and a boiler providing hot water on demand.

You could also consider installing a heat battery, which takes up less space than a hot water cylinder.

Instantaneous hot water heaters are also available. You can install these under your kitchen sink to provide a smaller amount of hot water.

What funding is available for air source heat pumps?

If you live in England and Wales, you can get £7,500 towards an air source heat pump with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Will I save money on my energy bills with an air source heat pump?

Heat pump running costs can vary depending on:

· Whether your radiators are appropriately sized.

· Your electricity tariff.

· How the heat pump is controlled.

How much you could save on your energy bills also depends on what heating system you’re replacing.

At the moment, they generally cost slightly more to run compared to new gas and oil boilers.

This is because electricity is around four times more expensive than gas or oil.

But, because heat pumps are so much more efficient, as electricity prices change over time, we expect to see these savings improve. And if you’re replacing any other kind of heating system, you should see savings on your energy bills.

CALL TODAY TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE HOME SURVEY!