Air source heat pumps represent a sustainable alternative to traditional heating methods. Particularly gas boilers, enabling you to take advantage of the most cutting-edge technology to heat your home. They’re cheaper to run too, requiring significantly less energy than a gas boiler while being at least as effective.
Essentially, they represent a form of renewable energy technology, one that will substantially cut your heating bills. What’s more, the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme incentivizes switching from a gas/oil boiler to an air source heat pump. You can apply at https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme and take advantage of a grant that will help keep costs down.
What are air source heat pumps?
Sometimes known as air-to-water source heat pumps, air source heat pumps turn external air into a fluid, which is then used to heat rooms via radiators or underfloor heating. It can provide hot water to kitchens, bathrooms and showers.
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How do air source heat pumps work?
An air source heat pump works like a fridge in reverse, by capturing low-temperature thermal energy (which is present in the air) and turning it into a fluid. This liquid then passes through a series of tubes filled with sub-zero refrigerant gas. The fluid transfers to a compressor, which causes the cold gas to become hot liquid before passing into a heat exchanger. At this point, it’s ready to heat your home and your water supply. Any unused refrigerant is transformed back into cold gas, ready for the heating cycle to start again.
Are air source pumps really more efficient and environmentally friendly?
Although electricity is required to capture outside heat, the cost is offset by the amount of heat it’s able to generate for a home. And because electricity is needed for the process to work, it isn’t completely carbon neutral. However, no fossil fuels are burned which means that no CO2 emissions are produced.
How much does it cost to switch to an air source heat pump?
A wide range of brands, models and sizes are available, which means that prices vary. However, you can expect to pay between £6,000 and £13,000, which doesn’t include the aforementioned Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, which reduces the cost of installation by £5,000.
If I have an air source heat pump installed, will I be able to use my existing radiators?
This will depend on the type of heat pump system you choose for your home. For instance, low-temperature heat pumps typically require larger radiators in order to be optimally efficient. So, while it isn’t necessary to replace radiators in every case, upgrading could ultimately prove to be a wise investment. This is because air source heat pumps operate at lower temperatures than regular boilers, and therefore more efficiently. Accordingly, your radiators need to be the right size to deliver optimal heating levels.
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Of course, the team at Solaris Energy is always on hand to advise you according to your particular home heating needs.
Can an air source heat pump be used for underfloor heating?
Absolutely. Indeed, because floors cover a wider area than radiators, they don’t need to be heated to the same extent in order to generate the same temperature levels.
You mentioned that an air source heat pump could be used to heat water…
We did and it can – to around 50 to 55°C, which means you’ll require less cold water to run a bath. The result is a more efficient and affordable home heating and hot water production. Something which is particularly vital as the costs of domestic gas and electricity continue to rise. What’s more, there’s added advantages for the environment. An air source heat pump is three to four times more efficient than a gas boiler system. Thereby significantly minimizing the production of CO2.
Make an enquiry and discover more
If you’d like to know more about how air source heat pump technology can benefit you, please call the Solaris Energy team on 01303 238 439 today. As leading providers of air and ground source heat pumps, our team of experts will be able to manage design, construction and installation at your premises. What’s more, we are able to provide commercial solutions as well as domestic. It means those organizations that may be looking to limit their CO2 output and reduce operational costs will be able to benefit too.
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