What is an Air Source Heat Pump?
Heat pumps have been getting a lot of focus in the media recently. You might have heard of air source heat pumps (or ASHPs), but what is an air source heat pump? and how do they work? Pure Renewables are your local renewable energy solutions experts and we’re sharing our heat pump knowledge with you.
Firstly... what is a heat pump?
Simply put, a heat pump is a heating system that collects heat from either air, water, or the ground, and converts it into heating for your property. Heat pumps work in a similar way to an air conditioner, transferring thermal energy using a refrigeration cycle. Even in cold weather, heat pumps can draw heat from the cool outdoors into your house by using a high pressure refrigerant. The refrigerant is compressed so its pressure and temperature rise, at which point it flows into your house transferring it’s heat via a heat exchanger. During this process the gas refrigerant condenses into a liquid state after which it then flows into a the outdoor space where the pressure falls, the liquid evaporates, and the temperature of the gas falls. Because the temperature of the gas is lower than its surrounding environment it absorbs heat at which point it is then compressed back to release the heat back into your home. As so the cycle is repeated.
What is an Air Source Heat Pump?
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) generate heat by pulling warmth from the air around them and converting it into heating for your property using the above process. They are installed outside of your property on the ground or a flat roof, and don’t require much space to operate. They’re gaining popularity as and eco-friendly heating system and can be bought using the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of £7,500.
Key Facts About Air Source Heat Pumps
- The air doesn’t need to be warm at all, as they work in temperatures of up to -20 degrees.
- Air source heat pumps are not affected at all by rain and work even in stormy weather, which for us in the UK is an important consideration.
- Our generally mild UK weather is perfect for air source heat pumps.
- They’re a great option for residential properties as they’re relatively small compared to other types of heat pump.
- They’re really efficient (see below comparison).
We asked our heat pump experts to give us all the details and hopefully you’ll find the answers to your questions below. If you still have questions, or are interested in getting a quote for residential heat pumps, please get in touch and speak to one of our heat pump experts.
HOW EFFICIENT ARE AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS?
All heat pumps are super energy efficient, producing much more heat than the energy they consume. Air source heat pumps are around 320% efficient, meaning they produce 3 units of heat for every unit of electricity they use. Compared to a gas heating system such as a combi-boiler, which are now required to be 92% efficient but often older models are 70 – 80%, this is a huge improvement. As an example to compare:
Air source heat pump: £1 spend = £3 heat
Efficient Gas boiler: £1 spend = £0.92 heat
Older Gas boiler: £1 spend = £0.75 heat
DO AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS WORK WITH SOLAR PANELS OR OTHER ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES?
Yes they do. Much like a gas boiler system, your air source heat pump can be installed to work alongside existing or new renewable energy solutions. They work really well when installed with underfloor heating systems, as the way both systems operate compliment each other (both circulating at a warm temperature for a long period of time rather than very hot at short bursts) and can offer a brilliantly cost efficient solution overall.
They also work with residential solar panels, which produce electricity rather than heating. Together as a system, most of your energy usage can be covered by renewable energy and for a lower cost by using both together.
DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION FOR AN AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP?
No, you don’t need planning permission in almost all cases. If your property is very old or listed, there are some additional things to think about which you can find in our article, Air Source Heat Pumps for Old Properties
ARE AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS NOISY?
Air source heat pumps are very quiet, making about as much noise as a gas boiler or a small extractor fan. They’re also installed outside, meaning you’ll hardly hear a thing.
For more comparisons and to read more about noise levels, our article “Are air source heat pumps noisey?” can answer your questions.
Still looking for for more information on Heat Pumps?
Nesta and The MCS Foundation have teamed up to create a website that provides information, resources and guidance on heat pumps that can help you make well-informed choices about the future of your home heating. The website is supported by Which? and the Energy Saving Trust. It’s a great source of impartial information and you can check it out at getaheatpump.org.uk
Considering An Air Source Heat Pump?
Now you’ve got the answer to your question ‘What is an air source heat pump’, maybe you are considering an air source heat pump for your home?
If you would like to find out more about air source heat pumps, you can send us an enquiry using the form on this page and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. If you would prefer to talk to one of our team straight away, please give us a call. We’re always happy to assist you with any questions or provide you with a no obligation quote.
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 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, East Yorkshire, are readily available to provide you with invaluable advice and answer any questions you may have.
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