Efficient Energy Use with Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps are specifically designed to work with central heating systems. The older your system the more likely it will be that you will need to replace a few radiators here and there. If you have underfloor heating you will, in most cases, be air source heat pump ready.

Air source heat pumps are far more efficient than a gas boiler, saving you around a third on your average gas bill.

A heat pump is a system that draws heat from an external source ---like the air, ground, or water---and uses it to warm your home's hot water and central heating. You can think of it as the opposite of a fridge.

Have you heard a noisy heat pump? Or have you been told they are noisy? Or perhaps read it? They're not noisy anymore. Being honest ten years ago, they were. The technology wasn't as good. It's far better now and most have a sound level no higher than normal conversation. A properly installed heat pump should have a noise calculation done to ensure that the chosen location meets the regulations regarding the noise level at adjacent properties. If you hear a noisy heat pump, it has been installed incorrectly.

A heat pump runs at lower temperatures than a traditional fossil fuel system, which results in greater efficiencies. In most cases your existing pipework will be adequate, but you may need to upgrade some radiators. In many older properties, the existing radiators are single panels, and you would typically need to upgrade these to modern double panel radiators.

Heat pumps are a very efficient way to heat your home, and they do offer large savings. especially for properties with mains gas, oil or LPG. As we have seen over the last few years, fossil fuel prices fluctuate significantly. Replacing Oil or LPG boilers with an air source heat pump can save around 30% on your fuel bills. With gas boiler systems, the savings aren't as dramatic. Typically, it is more like a 5-10% saving instead. According to the Energy Savings Trust, air source heat pumps with an efficiency rating of 300% can save the average household £4,891 over 20 years compared to a gas boiler.

This is another common myth we hear. Air source heat pumps have the capability to remain efficient even in extreme cold; they continue to function right down to -20°C. FUN FACT: In the last 30 years, it has only fallen to below minus 20 once in 2010 and that was in Aberdeenshire Scotland and in the middle of the night.

In short, a lot less than you probably think. It's another common myth. Of course, the model and size of the heat pump depends on the heat requirement for the property so varies slightly. Most heat pumps are roughly 1m wide x 1m tall and sit against an external wall.

Again, this is another common question we are asked. It also relates to potentially the biggest change you might need if for example you currently have a combi gas boiler in your home. With a heat pump, you need a specifically designed heat pump cylinder which needs to be located inside your house. Most commonly we install these where the gas boiler cylinder or combi boiler used to be but there does need to be enough space to get good access to it for servicing etc.

If you have a combi boiler. Then you may need to find the space for the cylinder. Often it can go where the combi boiler used to be but there are other options. We will assess and advise you at survey of where it could go in your home. Heat Pump hot water cylinders are pressurized systems so they can go in lofts or attics because they are not gravity fed.

After carrying out a survey and completing heat loss system calculation and estimating running costs. A typical installation takes around 3-4 days. It does depend on whether radiator upgrades will be needed. We always try to plan it and execute it as effectively as possible.

Yes they can. They will work with devices like Hive or Nest. But in general most heat pumps now come with their own smart controls. You can even get an app with it too. We can make it as complex or as simple as you want. If you want to know the flow rates and the COP day by day, we can provide that.