What is an air source heat pump?
The majority of home heating systems use electricity or fuel to convert into heat. But heat pumps differ since they don’t produce heat.
Instead, they bring the heat energy that is already present from outside to your home. This is why they are more efficient. Because they produce more energy in the form of heat than electrical energy they use. Thus, a system that uses a heat pump will be less expensive to operate than a conventional fossil heating system that uses fuel.
Learn about the advantages that come from an air-source heat pump.
Do you want to know the basics about heat pump air sources? It’s not a problem. Check out our video for a quick overview and learn more about how heat pumps work.
use renewable energy
They are much more effective than boilers made of gas (400 percent efficient)
They are cost-effective
lower your carbon footprint
are quiet
What is the air-source heat pump function?
A heat pump that is air-source is similar to a refrigerator that operates in reverse to warm your home. This is how it functions:
The outside air is blown across tubes that are filled with refrigerant. The refrigerant is heated up and turns it into gas.
The gas is pumped through an air compressor, which boosts the pressure. It also generates warmth – similar to how the air hose gets warm when you boost the pressure of air in your tire.
The hot gases that are compressed enter an exchanger for heat, which is enclosed by cool air or even water. The refrigerant transmits its heat to cool water or air and makes it warm. Then, it circulates throughout your house to provide warm water and heating. In the meantime, the refrigerant cools and cools back down and then starts the process and once more!
Use heating with an air source pump in your home
The air source heating pumps are a great way to heat your water and home. Here are a few things to take into consideration.
Making use of the air source heat pump to provide heating
The best performance of heat pumps is when there’s less variation between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. Much the same as your fridge needs to be working harder during the heat of summer.
This makes them an excellent combination to underfloor heaters. Floors cover a larger surface than radiators and therefore don’t require getting much hotter to produce the similar quantity of warmth.
The air source heat pump offer less power than a conventional oil or gas boiler. This means that they don’t produce warmth as fast. Instead, they’re utilized to heat your house in a gradual manner over a long time.
Radiators and air source heaters
If you’re a homeowner with radiators in your home and are moving from a gas-fired heating unit towards an air source heat pumps, then you’ll require a larger radiators in order to maintain your house warm.
Utilizing Air source heat pump to provide hot water
Heating pumps are also an excellent supply of hot water however, the water is more cool than that coming from boilers. This means that if you’re taking a bath you’ll need hot water than faucets that are cold. This means you’ll require a larger heater to accommodate your requirements too.
What are the things to think about when you upgrade on an air source heating pump?
A majority of homes will require some adjustments in order to function with a heating pump. They’re fantastic at making your house warm, however you might need to take steps to stop the heat from getting away to have the most effective running cost.
Air source heat pump advantages
Highly efficient in the production of hot water and heat
Zero carbon if it is used in conjunction when paired with renewable tariffs
It is able to closely be comparable to the operating costs of other heating systems.
You may be eligible to receive £5,000 off through this Boiler Upgrade Scheme
They are less difficult to set up than ground source pumps which require digging up your garden
Maintenance-free with a long service lifespan
Certain systems may provide cooling during summer.
Air source heat pump disadvantages
Your radiators will be warm, but not hot to touch.
Ideal for keeping warm However, not recommended for increasing the temperature.
Make sure that the heat stays in – think about upgrading your insulation to keep cost of running low
Installation may take anywhere from 3 to 8 days
You’ll require space outside to accommodate the pump, as air must circulate, and inside for the water storage tank
Are there various types that of Air Source heat pump?
Yes! There are two kinds that are air-source heat pumps air-to-air and air-to-water. The majority of air source heat pump installation in UK are “air-to water” models.
‘Air-to-water’ air source heat pumps
The majority of air source heat pump installed in UK are referred to as “air-to water” models. In these types of systems, it is possible to transfer heat to the traditional “wet” heating system. This setup provides hot water as well as central heating.
‘Air-to-air’ air source heat pumps
A small percentage in UK heating systems that are air-source work as “air to air”. They are, as the name implies, they release the heat to the air that is then spread throughout the house. They don’t offer hot water however. They can switch between cooling and heating based on the time of year, and are generally referred to as air conditioners.
There is also an air source hybrid heat pump that can be paired to an already existing central heating unit as well as a boiler. In these hybrid air source heat pump systems it is the heat pump that provides an ‘increased load’ to provide day-to-day heating as well as hot water. With the boiler firing up to supply hot water. For a quick boost of heat in the event of a particularly cold winter.
What is the price of the installation of an air source heat pump?
A heat source air pump is more expensive than a new central heating unit. The cost of a heat pump typically ranges from £12,000 to £17,000, based on the model of the pump and the heat output.
Additionally, you’ll have to cover the installation costs. If you’re installing a either an underfloor or air distribution system you’ll have to consider these costs as well. Also, you may need to consider a better insulation because the air-source heat pump isn’t particularly efficient at heating damp or poorly insulated homes.
The government has launched The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) that offers the benefit of a £5,000 grant towards the installation of an air source heat pump. This scheme reduces the typical cost of an air source heating source between £7,000 to £12,000.
What is the operating cost on air source heaters?
Aerosol source heaters are among that are among the most effective devices available to provide heat to your home. Traditional boilers are rated at around 92% efficiency when new. That means only 92 percent of the energy consumed by the boiler is converted to heat that you can use for heating your house. Therefore, you’re losing 8percent of your energy by burning fossil fuels to generate the heat. Older boilers could have efficiency of about 70% and lose 30% of their energy. Heat pumps, on the other hand, are efficient to the tune that exceeds 300% – for every watt of electricity consumed 3kW of heat is produced. When you consider the environmental benefits of heat pumps versus alternatives to fossil fuels, heating pumps will be the best option.
A case study of how much the running of an air source heat pump costs for a house with four bedrooms
Prices for energy vary, and our homes and the energy we use vary too. It’s therefore difficult to give an exact number of the amount it will cost. Based on the estimates of fuel costs obtained from Energy Saving Trust, we’ve created this illustration.
A house with four bedrooms could require approximately 18,000 kWh of heating each year (although the amount will be different). The heat demand is divided by the effectiveness of the appliance, then divide it by the cost of fuel to calculate the total cost of running. Thus, to heat this particular house at cost of fuel at the moment:
A new gas boiler may cost you around £2,015 a calendar year. (18,000kWh (or 92%) * 10.3p for each kWh
A less efficient gas boiler may cost you around £2,648 per year: (18,000kWh / 70%) multiplied by 10.3p /kWh
A boiler powered by oil can cost around £1,800 per calendar year. (18,000kWh /92%) * 9.2p for each kWh
A boiler that is LPG-fueled would cost around £2,367 annually: (18,000kWh / 92%) multiplied by 12.1p /kWh LPG
A heat source air conditioner will cost around £1,888 per year. (18,000kWh /324 percent) * 34p for every kWh of electricity
Are there any maintenance charges for air source heat pump maintenance?
These heat sources utilize established technology and could have a lifespan of 20 or more years. Like the boiler, it is recommended to make sure that you have your air source heating pump regularly maintained – each 2 or 3 years (or every year, if it is what the manufacturer recommends) for a check to ensure that it’s operating optimally. There are several tasks you can perform yourself:
You must ensure that there is an abundance of air. This includes checking regularly for any debris or leaves that have been caught in the grilles of the fans. Also, trimming back any plants that grow near the fan or the pipes.
In extremely cold weather, remove snow off the air source heat pump and make sure the grilles aren’t blocked with the ice.
Let the heat pump operate as per the installer’s instructions. It might take some getting used to , however heat pumps are most efficient when left to run on their own.
How do you get the air-source heat pump?
These heat sources are designed for homes that are well-insulated that are ideally integrated with techniques such as underfloor heating. Also, your home should include outdoor space.