Air Source Heat Pumps: Everything You Need to Know

Air source heat pumps, particularly air-to-water systems, have been warming households for decades. Converting energy sourced from the heat outside, then transferring it air-to-air within the rooms of the home. Relying on an air source makes this heating system highly efficient, using less fuel by drawing exclusively from the surrounding air’s heat. There are two kinds of air-source heat pumps available; air-to-air and air-to-water.

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

Thermal energy, known as heat, surrounds our environment. Heat pumps take the idea that heat naturally flows to a cold place… but reverse it. So, when temperatures are cold outside; heat pumps transfer air to a warmer place instead. A refrigerant gas is created within the heat pump and when this increases, so does the overall temperature. The heat pump uses electricity to compact the refrigerant, which in turn, raises the pressure and converts heat into the home.

Heat pumps impressively continue operation in below-freezing temperatures, ensuring that your home is never without heating. They can operate down to temperatures of -15*C. What’s more, heat pumps can also provide cool air in the summer.

Smart devices can be used to control heat pumps, ensuring that warmth is just a finger press away. It can also be operated remotely – a helpful feature for people who are out of the house for most of the day.

How Efficient Are Heat Pumps?

Heat pumps generate more heat than the energy they use to run them. They can be four times more efficient than traditional gas boilers; which use far more energy than the heat they generate. The amount of heat produced can be measured by the CoP or the Coefficient of Performance. For example, 2.0 CoP would produce two units of heat for each unit of electricity.

How Much Money Will A Heat Pump Save Me?

In the modern world, most people are prioritising their energy savings. Keeping this thought at the forefront of their minds; installing heat pumps can help remove some of the pressure from their energy bills.

There are a few factors that can come into play when saving money with heat pumps;

• The type of heat source being replaced.
• The electricity tariff.
• The type of heat pump installed.
• The location and average temperature of the air and ground year-round.
• The design of the current heating system e.g. oil or LPG boilers.

Further modifications to properties can also help towards energy prices;

• More insulation in the wall, floor, and loft can reduce the costs of running air-source heat pumps.
• Solar panels can cut the cost of energy bills by using the free generated energy to run the heat pump.
• Solar batteries store energy from the daytime sun, powering your heat pump at night.

The volume of heat energy transferred by electrical energy can change constantly throughout the year and can also depend on the temperature of the source used. Therefore when the temperature drops outside; prices may rise slightly. Having said that, the amount of heat produced outweighs the electricity usage; so, running costs give peace of mind.

Gas boilers can be particularly more costly when owning a heat pump unless careful consideration has gone into the system’s design. A perfectly designed system reduces the temperature of heating water and this can include installing measures such as;

• Large surface radiators- these spend less time increasing water temperature.
• Underfloor heating – this also spends less time increasing the water temperature.
• Running the heat system for a long duration.

If the compressors in the heat pumps are exerting themselves through a poorly designed system, they will cost more money to run as they use more electricity. For example, small surface radiators will require a higher temperature to heat a room. Therefore, it will take much longer overall and also use more energy.

What Support Is Available?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme

If your property operates on old inefficient fossil fuel heating (oil, gas, electric), The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) can provide eligible properties with financial assistance to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint by installing a renewable energy heating system. This can include the installation of air-source heat pumps.

EC04 Scheme

A priority goal of the ECO4 scheme is to introduce energy-efficient measures in properties that are living in fuel poverty.

Is My Home Eligible for BUS or ECO4 Grant?

To be eligible in the UK, you will need to fulfil some of the criteria outlined below:

• How your home is heated: Homes without a mains gas supply automatically qualify. However, there are circumstances where homes with a mains gas supply may still qualify. This is usually if a property has a low EPC rating, or the household has a low income, or an occupant is receiving means-tested benefits.
• Personal circumstances: You or somebody living in the same property must be receiving means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income based Jobseekers allowance, Income related Employment & Support Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credits or Working Tax Credit. Depending on household income, those in receipt of Child Benefit can also qualify for the scheme. Households with an income below £31,000 can also be eligible for support with ECO4 FLEX.
• Other qualifying reasons: Having a mains gas supply may still make you eligible for some support. Homes with non-condensing boilers could be able to receive a new combi-boiler as part of the grant.

Is Installation Easy?

The installation process can be a daunting operation for most people. Worries about damage to property and unsightly units can be off-putting.

Heat pumps can be a simple system to install for professional technicians. Air source heat pumps are installed on the exterior of a property where they will be perfectly stable and located where the airflow is best. Usually, there is no need for external excavation; meaning no damage to your home. Qualified technicians will then install the heat pump system within the property; adapting it to the current radiators and underfloor heating where possible. This means that although the work can be disruptive, they will try to ensure that the property is left how it is found.

The whole process can take up to two days to complete depending on the size and age of the property. A small property may only take a day but for an older house that is bigger, it could take up to two days.

Why Now Is The Time To Install!

Right now in the UK, it has never been a better time to install a heat pump, as the Government currently promises a 50% increase in heat pump grants. This can see homes get £7,500 towards the installation of an air source heat pump system as part of The Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The introduction of this grant has since seen a significant increase in the applications, with a lot of happy customers voicing their support for making the move to renewable energy methods.