Is my property suitable for an air source heat pump?
Air source heat pumps are an excellent way to reduce your heating bills and improve the sustainability of your property. If you’re wonder whether your property is suitable for an air source heat pump, read below to find out.
If you’re wondering if your property is suitable for an air source heat pump, the answer is likely yes, it is. With careful planning and a well designed system, almost any property can benefit from having an air source heat pump installed, though there are some questions you should ask yourself beforehand.
Can I legally install an air source heat pump?
If you own your property and have some space around it, such as a garden, it is likely that you can legally install a heat pump. In shared spaces such as shared driveways, all landowners will need to agree to the installation.
Generally planning permission is not required but other considerations, such as whether your building is listed, may make an impact and you should double check before you go ahead.
If you don’t own your property, your landlord should be responsible for heating systems and you should contact them if you feel an air source heat pump would be beneficial. Similar to a gas boiler system, they are generally responsible for maintenance and installations.
Is my property insulated enough to benefit from an air source heat pump?
Up until May 2024, in order to receive the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant your property will need no advisories for insulation on its EPC rating. That doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from the heat pump, and after May 2024 this will no longer be required.
Good insulation is still important for an air source heat pump system to work effectively, as it is for any home heating system including the one you currently have. Heat is lost through a lack of insulation and so any improvements will benefit whichever system you’re using.
Will I need new radiators for an air source heat pump?
For air source heat pumps to deliver heat efficiently to your home, having the correct sized radiators is very important. Because the temperature of the water is slightly lower than the temperature when using a gas boiler, you may need to upgrade your radiators to bigger ones to feel the full benefit. We often recommend doing this afterwards, as the system still works without the upgrade and deferring the cost of new ones can be helpful when budgeting for renovations.
Do I have space for an air source heat pump?
Air source heat pumps don’t take up too much space, and the main unit is fitted outside of the property. The main units are roughly the same size as a large washing machine (or two for a larger one), and require a bit of space around them for air flow. You’ll need room for this outside in your garden or on a flat, secure roof.
Inside, a hot water tank should be installed if you don’t have one already. They can take up some space, but many homes in the UK already have a place for them as they were very common before combi-boilers became popular.
As the heat pump replaces your boiler completely, you do gain some space back wherever that has been installed, which is a great benefit.
Learn more with our FAQs about air source heat pumps below:
ARE AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS NOISY?
Air source heat pumps are not noisy; they sound similar to a small extractor fan. Similar to quiet talking, they will not disturb you when you’re nearby. They are installed outside which means the noise in dampened further.
You can find decibel details and more comparisons in our guide, Are air source heat pumps noisy?
HOW BIG IS AN AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP?
Residential air source heat pumps for an average property, such as a 3 bedroom house, are about the same size as a washing machine. They’re installed outside either in a garden or on a flat roof.
ARE AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS EFFICIENT?
Air source heat pumps run at around 300% efficiency, meaning you get £3 worth of heating for every £1 you spend.
In contrast to some peoples opinion, you can Save Money With Air Source Heat Pumps as they are extremely efficient and very low maintenance.
If you would like to know more about air source heat pumps, or you’re wondering if a system would work for you, please get in touch and speak to one of our heat pump experts.
Considering Heat Pumps?
If you think air source heat pumps are the right option for you, or your just not sure whether they would work in your home, get in touch with our heat pump experts and have a chat.
Heat pumps reduce carbon emissions whilst providing permanent heat that can be used for radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems and hot water. They are ideal for well insulated properties, regardless of the age of your home and our engineers will design a solution specifically to maximise the efficiencies for your particular property. Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could also be entitled to a grant of up to £7,500 to cover part of the costs of replacing your existing fossil fuel heating system with a heat pump.
Our team are dedicated to adding value to every project and our expert team take care of every aspect of the installation to give you peace of mind. We are passionate about combining our knowledge and experience with high quality products and excellent customer service to deliver specialist solutions.
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Heat Pumps Key Information
- Investment returned in around 12 years
- Permanent heat and hot water
- Bespoke solution designed for your home
- Heat pumps available with thermal outputs from 4kw – 87kw
- Air source, water source and ground source options
- Lifespan of 25 – 30 years
- We only use natural refrigerants which are non-toxic with zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) and very low GWP (Global Warming Potential).
- Typical commercial boilers operate at 80-85% efficiencies compared to 320% for air source, 400% for ground source and 450% for water source heat pumps
- Can be integrated with residential solar PV to provide maximum efficiency
Questions? Get in touch today and talk to one of our heat pump experts!
We Are Here for You
At Pure Renewables, our dedication revolves around delivering state-of-the-art renewable energy solutions to our customers. We harness the most recent innovations in heat pump technology to help empower you in producing hot water without a gas burning boiler, paving the way for numerous benefits and saving you money on your energy bills!
Be assured that our methodology revolves around a no-obligation quote policy, granting you the freedom from any undue pressure. Furthermore, our friendly team of experts based at our office in Hull are readily available to provide you with invaluable advice and answer any questions you may have.
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