Four out of ten bill paying adults are struggling to afford their energy bills and if you are part of this group, you may be looking for ways to reduce the costs or actively using less fuel to heat your home.
Combine this with global warming, with record highs in the summer and bitter cold winters becoming the norm, finding a solution that is both cost effective and beneficial to your home all year round can be challenging however, we think we’ve found the perfect solution.
Air Source Heat Pumps can not only heat your home, but they can also cool it through environmentally friendly methods and, as an added bonus, can be acquired through a grant of up to £9000.
But what are air source heat pumps?
We are going to explore how air source heat pumps work, the benefits of them, and, most importantly, how you can get one installed in your home.
Contents
- How Do Air Source Heat Pumps Work?
- Are Air Source Heat Pumps Any Good?
- What is involved in an Air Source Heat Pump Installation?
How Do Air Source Heat Pumps Work?
There are three types of air source heat pump:
- Air to water: These pumps utilise a wet central heating system
- Air to air: These pumps take air from outside the house and feed this into fans
- Hybrid: These pumps use both air and water energy sources and switches between them based on various factors such as season and temperature.
Air source heat pumps work in four stages:
- Utilising Heat from the Air: The heat pump takes in air from outside your house. Even when it’s cold outside, this air still has some heat energy in it. The heat pump uses a special liquid, called refrigerant, to absorb this heat.
- Increases the Heat: Inside the heat pump, the absorbed heat is transferred to a compressor, which then increases the temperature, kind of like how a bicycle pump gets warm when you use it.
- Heats the House: This warmer air is then used to heat your house. It can be blown into the rooms, or it can heat water that runs through your radiators or underfloor heating.
- Cools the House: In warmer months, Air-to-air models can work in reverse. It takes the heat from inside your house and releases it outside, helping to cool your home.
Are Air Source Heat Pumps Any Good?
The simple answer is yes and there are multiple benefits to having an air source heat pump installed, not only for you and your home, but also for the environment.
We asked our team of green energy installers what their top benefits of air source heat pumps are and came up with our top 10:
- Cost Savings
- Environmentally Friendly
- Energy Efficient
- Dual Ability
- Consistent Heating and Cooling
- Safety
- Reliability
- Better Air Quality
- Flexibility
- Government Incentives
What is involved in an Air Source Heat Pump Installation?
Pre-Installation
The very first step involves an on-site visit to your property so our installers can conduct a full, on-site survey.
This survey will assess how suitable your home is and form a plan for installation and is customised to your specific property requirements.
Before work can begin, you will need an Energy Performance Certification (EPC) which shows:
- Your home’s energy efficiency rating, which gives an indication of how much your energy bills are.
- Your home’s environmental impact rating, which shows how much your home contributes to CO2 emissions.
You can get an EPC by searching for an AO assessor using the Scottish EPC register and is valid for 10 years.
An EPC is especially important if you are applying for an ECO4, or other government grant initiative.
Installation of air source heat pumps can begin once the work is approved and involves two units.
Installation
We’ve broken down the installation phase into 6 steps:
- Legacy Systems: Your installers arrive, decommission the existing system, and prepare your house for the installation of the ASHP.
- Outdoor Units: The outdoor unit(s) is fitted 300mm from the exterior wall in its designated position taking into consideration reflective surfaces for decibel volume, window distance, and any obstructions for access.
- Electrical and Plumbing Work: Connecting the units involves electrical and plumbing expertise. Your installer will ensure the proper wiring and plumbing connections are complete and finished correctly.
- Commissioning: Your ASHP engineers and electricians will work together to ensure the system is running efficiently with no air locked within the pipes. A checklist is completed to ensure workmanship is completed to the highest level.
- Refrigerant Circuit: The refrigerant absorbs heat from the outdoor air, becomes a gas, and transfers this heat to your central heating system’s water.
- Hot Water Cylinder: Excess heat can be stored in a hot water cylinder when the heating system is not in use.
Post-Installation Maintenance
Once the units are connected, sensors (temperature, outdoor and indoor) will be set up and any ongoing maintenance requirements will be discussed.
Now all that’s left to do is enjoy a warmer home in winter, cooler home in summer, with cost efficiency all year round.
Conclusion
In conclusion, air source heat pumps offer a highly effective, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient solution for both heating and cooling your home.
As energy costs rise and climate concerns grow, air source heat pumps stand out for their ability to provide consistent temperature control, safety, and improved air quality and with various types including air-to-water, air-to-air, and hybrid, can cater to different home requirements.
The installation process is straightforward and with potential government incentives, air source heat pumps are a smart investment for a more sustainable and comfortable living environment.
Ready to save money on your energy bills and do your part to make a greener, healthier world?
Get your bespoke quote here and make the first step towards cost effective, energy efficient energy in your home.