Water source heat pumps for older properties
Water source heat pumps are an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade the heating system of their older property. They’re efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable. If you have questions about water source heat pumps for older properties get in touch today and talk with one of our heat pump experts.
There are many great benefits to installing water source heat pumps for older properties, namely the cost savings on household bills due to their high efficiency. They are fantastic at providing affordable and reliable heating year-round due to the thermal conductivity and natural flow of water, which means the heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard to extract heat from the source.
What are the benefits of a water source heat pump for older properties?
With efficiencies of up to 420%, a water source heat pump can produce over 4 times the amount of heat power it consumes in electricity. Compared to a traditional oil or gas boiler, which are around 80 – 85% efficient (producing 0.85 the heat from 1 unit of electricity). Water source heat pumps are often a lot more efficient than a ground source or an air source heat pump, as heat transfers much better in water than in the ground or in the air. As they don’t burn fossil fuels to run there is a huge reduction in the carbon emissions being released compared to other heating methods.
The average lifespan of a water source heat pump is 15 – 20 years, which is plenty of time to recoup the installation cost and save on bills. Particularly with the current high energy prices and cold winters in the UK.
Aesthetically, a water source heat pump is a good choice for anyone hoping to preserve the traditional charm of their property while updating the heating to a more sustainable source. The majority of a water source heat pump is out of sight underwater, and pipes are laid into the ground towards the property. Compared to other renewable energy sources such as solar panels or an air source heat pump, they are not immediately obvious when installed.
What is a water source heat pump?
A heat pump is a system that extracts heat from its surroundings and converts it into energy to heat a property. They can be used in place of traditional gas or oil boilers to power your heating system. A water source heat pump is a heat pump that has been manufactured to complete this process in a body of water.
Water source heat pumps are available in closed-loop and open-source variants. In closed-loop systems, coils or pipes filled with glycol are laid on the lake/riverbed and absorb energy from the water. These systems are usually used in large ponds, lakes or lochs. In open-loop systems, water is pumped to a heat pump that will then absorb the energy directly from the water and is used with boreholes near rivers or similar areas where there are suitable conditions. The below image shows a closed-loop water source heat pump.
Our full guide on water source heat pumps, with lots of information and FAQs to help you understand how they work, is here: What is a water source heat pump?
DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION TO INSTALL A WATER SOURCE HEAT PUMP?
Generally, no, you don’t. They are classed as ‘permitted development’ and won’t require any planning permission. In some built-up areas or certain property types, you may need to apply however.
It also depends on the type of system you intend to use. It’s best to get in touch and talk to one of our experts, or read through the government guidance if you’re unsure. You can find a guide here.
You will need legal rights to the water you’re installing it in. This could mean getting planning permission as above, or just the agreement of all landowners on a private property if not.
ARE WATER SOURCE HEAT PUMPS EFFICIENT FOR OLDER PROPERTIES?
Any heat pump is efficient for any property as long as there is a good amount of insulation in place. Even without a well-insulated property you can still get one installed, but it will be less efficient and require more planning.
Older properties tend to have larger windows and higher ceilings, which we take into consideration when planning your installation. We’ll always make sure your heat pump is the right solution for your requirements.
If you want to read more about whether your proerty is suitable for a water source heat pump, you can read our follow on article: What you need to know before installing a water source heat pump in your older property.
IS A WATER SOURCE HEAT PUMP THE RIGHT OPTION FOR ME?
If you’re not sure whether a water source heat pump would be the right option for you, our friendly team are happy to discuss your options and arrange a visit to assess your property for suitability. Get in touch today and talk to one of our heat pump experts.
In the meantime, our follow on article, What you need to know before installing a water source heat pump in your older property, would be a useful read.
ARE THERE ANY GRANTS AVAILABLE TO INSTALL A WATER SOURCE HEAT PUMP?
Yes! For homeowners looking to upgrade their boiler to an eco-friendly heating system, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant can offer you up to £7,500 towards the cost (and you don’t have to pay it back!).
For businesses, there are various schemes available to support sustainability, most of which are under the discretion of your local council. You can search for business grants here.
Considering Heat Pumps?
If you think water 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.
At Pure, we specialise in renewable energy solutions, and 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 panels 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 systems 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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