Benefits of Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps take in heat from the outside air which can then be used to heat your home and provide you with hot water.

• Greener - Air source heat pumps can generate less CO2 than conventional heating systems.

• Much cheaper and easier than installing ground source heat pumps.

• Air source heat pumps provide heating and hot water.

• Very low maintenance

• Some can be used for air conditioning in the summer.

• You need to use electricity to power the pump which circulates the liquid in the outside loop, but for every unit of electricity used by the pump, you get between two and three units of heat – making this an efficient way to heat a building.

• If you are on Economy 7 electricity tariff, then this can make running costs lower. Also consider solar panels or even wind turbines for green renewable electricity.

How air source heat pumps work

Quite simply, an air source heat pump takes in the heat from the air at a low temperature and uses electricity to compress the air into a fluid, increasing the temperature. This higher temperature heat is then transferred to the heating and hot water circuits of the house, which in turn heats up the radiators and underfloor heating in your home.

Electricity is used to power heat pumps, but this running cost is less than it would normally cost to produce the heat so it is a very efficient, cost-effective way to use renewable energy.

There are two main types of air source heat pumps:

Air-to-water

Air-to-water systems take heat from the outside air and feed it into your wet central heating system. Any excess is stored in your hot water cylinder and heats your water so you can have a lovely hot bath or shower. As the heat produced is cooler than that from a conventional boiler, you may need to install larger radiators or underfloor heating in your home to make the most of it.

Air-to-air

Air-to-air systems take heat from the outside air and feed it into your home through fans. This type of system cannot produce hot water. However, in the summer, some models of air-to-air heat pump have the advantage of reverse operation, just like an air-conditioning unit, keeping your home nice and cool.

Things to consider

In order to know whether an air source heat pump is right for your home, you’ll need to ask yourself some questions.

• Will the system be part of a new build project?

  Generally speaking, it is more cost efficient when included as part of a new build project rather than converting an existing system.

• What heating system will you use?

  Air source heat pumps are best suited to underfloor heating as they can run at a lower temperature, but can still be used for radiator based systems. Nu-Eco Heat are accredited underfloor heating installers.

• Does your home have enough space?

  You'll need enough space in your garden or balcony for the external condenser unit which is about the same size as an air-conditioning unit. They can be noisy and also blow out colder air which may be annoying if you enjoy your outdoor space.

• What fuel will you be replacing?

  Heat pumps can save you more on your heating bills if you're replacing an electric, oil, LPG or coal system, rather than gas.

• Is your property properly insulated?

  It makes financial sense to properly insulate your property to make the best savings on energy, by optimising the heat generated by the heat pump.

If you're considering installing an air source heat pump give Nu-Eco Heat a call, we are experienced and accredited Mitsubishi Ecodan installers. We will talk you through your options, provide a no obligation quote and be with you every step of the way.