How do Air Source Heat Pumps work - are they worth it?
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are a renewable heating technology that extracts warmth from the outside air (even when it's freezing) to heat your home and provide hot water.
Typically in the UK, air-to-water air source heat pumps are used. They work by extracting heat which is transformed into water that circulates through radiators or underfloor heating. They can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder.
Air source heat pumps use electricity to do this, but the amount of heat produced is always more than the electricity it uses - much better for the environment!
Great news, from October 22nd 2023, the Government is increasing grants available on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Government’s grant of £5,000 is increasing to £7,500 as of 22 October 2023. On average, it can cost between £10,000 and £13,000 to install this technology. With this discount, installation becomes much more appealing for homeowners and should help incentivise making the leap to a low carbon system.
Eligibility for the grant:
open to homeowners only
the home must have a valid, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) (find out here) from the last 10 years, with no recommendations for cavity wall or loft insulation.
your existing heating system must be powered by fossil fuels
What do Air Source Heat Pumps look like and how long does installation take?
Typically, you’ll have an outdoor unit that looks like an air conditioner unit (but its job is the opposite!). This contains all the components of the heat pump in one compact unit. Inside your home, you will have new radiators and pipe work (if needed) as well as a hot water cylinder to store hot water and heating controls. This looks similar to a typical gas-fired or oil-fired central heating system.
Many installations are completed within just two days, but this can vary from case to case.
Will I save money on my energy bills?
This will depend on what heating system you are replacing, the size and insulation levels of your home, as well as the make and model of the heat pump. It will also vary throughout the year, depending on external temperatures.
Households which are not connected to the mains gas network are likely to see the greatest financial benefit as they typically use an expensive fuel. Coal fire systems, oil boilers or storage heaters can be expensive to run, therefore we anticipate you will see savings. However, for residents that use mains gas (not LPG), the savings will depend on changes in Government legislation regarding the price of electricity.
FAQ’s
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Whilst using heat pumps to heat homes in the UK is a relatively recent development, the technology has been around for longer than you might expect - 160 years (Octopus Energy). Also, the UK is far behind the rest of Europe in air source heat pump installs. According to the Eco Expert, there are now 19.3 million heat pumps installed in Europe, with Norway leading the race (one heat pump for every 3.4 people!)
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The largest part of the air source heat pump is installed outside your property and is comparable to the size of external units of air conditioning systems. These can be coloured to match the outside of the property so long as it does not block airflow.
A hot water cylinder will need to be fitted inside the property which will require some space. It's best to anticipate some noise, especially when first installed and the system is settling. This should minimise over time.
Once settled, the air source heat pump will make a sound when heat is being generated. Heat pump technology has advanced considerably and continues to do so - units are more compact and quieter than ever. If an air source heat pump is installed correctly, it should be no louder than a fridge or boiler flue pipe.
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Even if the air outside is below 0°C, air source heat pumps are effective at extracting heat and warming the house.
It may, however, need to be kept on for longer. This is not dissimilar to other heating systems when operating in colder weather. According to the Eco Expert, there are ASHPs available that can work at temperatures as low as -25°C.
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No, air source heat pumps do not require more maintenance than a gas boiler.
It is estimated that a well maintained air source heat pump can last for 12-15 years compared to a gas boiler at 8-12 years. Like gas boilers, air source heat pumps are recommended to have annual checks and servicing.
If you would like to find out whether your property would benefit from an air source heat pump, why not arrange for a free Home Energy Plan? Click here to find out more.