RESIDENTIAL HEAT PUMPS

Residential air source heat pumps (ASHPs) absorb heat from the outside air, in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside. There are two main types of air source heat pump: an air-to-water system distributes heat via your wet central heating system, while an air-to-air system produces warm air which is circulated by fans to heat your premises. Find out more about how air source heat pumps work.

Residential air source heat pumps are ideal for new build premises, or well-insulated existing properties. You need space outside for a unit to be fitted, either on a wall or on the ground, where there is a good flow of air. The building should be well insulated and draught-proofed for best results and you will see better savings if replacing an electricity or oil heating system. Find out more about if your property is suitable for an air source heat pump.

The pump can get heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -20° C. If temperatures plummet even further, the heat pump’s internal auxiliary unit will add the additional heat requirement. ASHPs come fitted with an auto-defrost function, so they can continue to produce hot water and heating in all weathers.

ASHP technology has an energy efficiency rating of A***, which is the highest level for heating and water production.
How much you can save will depend on what system you use now, as well as what you are replacing it with. ASHPs work best with underfloor heating or large radiators and are cheaper to run than oil-powered systems and older inefficient systems. Our experts will explain how to control the system so you can use it most effectively.

Our guarantees last up to five years and systems are expected to operate for 20 years or more.

They may be considered as Permitted Development, in which case you will not need planning permission, but it is always a good idea to check with your local planning office and to obtain written confirmation regardless of whether it is permitted.

ASHPs have reduced in noise levels significantly over the last few years. Carefully sited pumps should present no disturbance to you or your neighbours and we follow strict MCS noise emission standards, which require careful emission calculations. Find out more on our page  “are air source heat pumps noisy?“

RHI cash payments are made quarterly over the applicable term of the scheme. The amount you receive will depend on a number of factors – including the technology you install and the latest tariffs available for each technology.

GSHPs extract heat from the ground by circulating a mixture of water and antifreeze around a ground loop. Heat from the ground is absorbed into the fluid and then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump which then converts it into high-temperature heat. Trenches are usually between one and two metres deep and boreholes between 15-100m, depending on energy needs.

Heat pumps can then be used for radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems and hot water.

Find out more about how ground source heat pumps work.

Since GSHPs work best when producing heat at a lower temperature than traditional boilers, it is essential that your property is well insulated and draught-proofed for the heating system to be effective.

Trenches would be required for the ground loop. The length of the required ground loop depends on the size of your property and the amount of heat you need. If space is limited, a vertical borehole can be drilled instead. We can assess your premises and advise you as to the best option. Find out more about if your property is suitable for a ground source heat pump.

GSHPs boast efficiencies of up to six times that of gas or oil boilers. They produce water at a lower temperature than boilers (55°C). Less cold water needs adding to baths or showers, which saves both money and energy.

The noise of a typical heat pump is similar to that of a refrigerator. All of our heat pumps are fitted with noise reduction systems. Pumps are best fitted in utility rooms, basements or garages.

The ground temperature stays relatively consistent under the surface, even in the depths of winter, so the system works all year round.

Pure Renewables offers guarantees of up to seven years and the system life expectancy can be up to 30 years, with regularly scheduled maintenance. They need very little adjustment as they use “fit and forget technology.” Their efficiencies do not decline over time unlike with a gas or oil boiler.

They may be considered as Permitted Development, in which case you will not need planning permission, but it is always a good idea to check with your local planning office and to obtain written confirmation regardless of whether it is permitted.

Yes – water has a higher thermal energy capacity and also a higher heat transfer rate compared to ground and air.

Ideally water needs to be flowing as this replaces energy harvested by the heat pump with new energy. If the water volume is small and stagnant then it’ll likely freeze. However, if the volume is large but stagnant, this could still be used as even stagnant water has movement within it.

Open-loop is where water is extracted from a river, lake or aquifer and pumped to a heat exchanger close to the heat pump, whilst closed-loop is where pipes are installed into the body of water with glycol circulating through them, they absorb energy in the same way as a ground loop. 

Filtration will be required for an open-loop system and the cleaning of these will depend on the water quality.

If you use a public river or lake you will need to apply to the Environment Agency for an extraction licence. If the body of water is owned and managed by you, then a licence won’t be required. 

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a Government incentive scheme to encourage the uptake of renewable heat technology among businesses and homeowners.

The Non-domestic RHI was launched first in November 2011 to provide payments to industry, businesses and public sector organisations. The Domestic RHI was launched in April 2014, and is open to homeowners, private landlords, social landlords and self-builders.