Top 10 questions to ask before buying an air source heat pump!

Article by: Sam Dewey

Introduction.

If you are looking to change and upgrade your home heating system, the decision may seem a daunting one. Air source heat pumps are one solution that could fulfil your home’s heating and hot water demand so let us help you make an informed choice about whether this low carbon heating system is the right option for your home.

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are an eco-friendly alternative to conventional, fossil fuel heating solutions. Working in a similar way to a refrigerator but in reverse, air to water heat pumps transfer heat energy from the surrounding air outside and transfer this energy into your home to provide space heating and hot water.

We are often asked many questions about air source heat pumps so here we have shared of the answers to the top 10 Air Source Heat Pump questions which may help your understanding of this low carbon heating technology.

For more information on frequently asked question, please visit our dedicated FAQ content.

Question 1: Is a heat pump right for my home?

An air source heat pump is suitable for most types of properties but one of the key factors that will help you decide whether a heat pump is right for your home will be the current level of heat that is escaping through your roof, walls and windows.

Is my home well insulated?

As heat pumps are low temperature systems, it is important that any heat loss from your home is minimised, and this can be achieved with suitable levels of loft insulation, double glazed windows and wall insulation. Typically, a home built since the late 1990s will be sufficiently insulated and suitable for a heat pump. An accurate heat loss calculation should also be used to help determine the suitability of a property for an air to water heat pump.

Click the link to discover more about the popular energy efficiency measures for your home.

Question 2: What financial support is available?

Government funding is available to support homeowners who want to install renewable energy systems or energy efficiency measures into their home. These include the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Nest Wales and Warmer Homes Scotland.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides eligible homeowners in England and Wales with a grant of up to £7,500 if they replace their gas or oil boiler with an air source heat pump. In addition, certain types of energy saving materials, such as heat pumps, are currently eligible for a zero rate of VAT. Get in touch to find out if you’re applicable for a £7,500 grant today!

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Question 3: How do heat pumps work?

Air source heat pumps use the heat energy that is contained within outside ambient air and they convert this into energy that can be used within your home to heat it. We provide a more in-depth introduction to how air source heat pumps work in our Heat Pumps Explained page along with various types of heat pumps and their applications.

Question 4: How much does it cost to install an air source heat pump?

We couldn’t answer to the top 10 Air Source Heat Pump questions without looking at costs. Now, every installation is different so calculating an average cost of a heat pump installation is difficult, but a solid estimate is from £7,000 up to £13,000 for an average 3-bedroom house.

For homes which do not require additional insulation measures, the installation costs will be lower than a property which may need loft or wall insulation installed. We recommend that you get in touch with our specialists and we will be able to assess your property’s build type and heating requirements to then give you an accurate estimate of costs for your home’s system.

Question 5: What size air source heat pump do I need?

To determine the size of heat pump, a heat loss calculation must be carried out on your home which we will do on our free site survey. This calculation will work out the amount of space within your home that needs heating as well as calculating the amount of heat that is being lost from your home.

The outcome of this calculation will determine the heat output required from your heat source, whether that be a 6kW air source heat pump or a 17kW air source heat pump for example. It is vitally important that the right size of heat pump is selected for your home and we explain this in greater detail in our what size air source heat pump do I need for my home blog. Give that a read and be sure to talk to us if you have any questions!

Question 6: Do I need planning permission to install an air source heat pump?

In most instances planning permission is not required because an air source heat pump installation is considered permitted development provided certain conditions are met.

Provided the size of the heat pump’s outdoor compressor unit does not exceed 0.6 cubic meters and provided the heat pump unit complies with MCS Standards, installing a heat pump should not require planning permission. It is always recommended to check with your Local Authority Planning Department to ensure that you are complying with their requirements.

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Question 7: Do they make a lot of noise?

Not really is the short answer. A common misconception about air source heat pumps is that they are noisy but, as long as they are installed correctly (for example, fitted on anti-vibration feet and on a level surface), heat pumps today operate quietly. Follow the link here to learn more about how quiet air source heat pumps are.

Question 8: Do they work effectively in the winter?

YES! Provided your heat pump has been correctly installed and the system correctly sized, a heat pump will work effectively during the colder months of the year. Certain heat pumps have built-in frost protection and they have been designed to operate in air temperatures from -20ºC up to 43ºC.

Heat pumps absorb the warmth that is generated when atoms and molecules move quickly through the air, and that warmth still exists even when the temperature drops below freezing. Warmth is present in all air that has a higher temperature than absolute zero (-273.15 °C), because atoms and molecules continue moving through the air until that point. Heat pump technology hasn’t quite made it that far but when you consider that the coldest permanently inhabited place on the planet, Oymyakon in Russia, is -47°C at time of writing, maybe absolute zero isn’t a worthwhile target.

Question 9: Will I need a secondary heating source?

In most instances, no, you will not require a secondary heat source. Larger properties or properties with lower levels of insulation may require an additional heat source and this is where hybrid heating technologies can be installed. Hybrid products combine an air source heat pumps with a fossil fuel boiler, such as an oil boiler. Contact our team to talk about hybrid systems!

Question 10: Are they future proof?

Yes. Air source heat pumps are growing in popularity and will be a core part of home heating systems as we all transition into a low carbon and ultimately net zero world. Air source heat pumps can also be easily integrated with other products, either in hybrid installation scenarios (as mentioned above) or with technologies such as solar thermal systems so a heat pump can help you significantly reduce your dependency on fossil fuels.

Take a look at the graph below to find out how much potential annual savings of Co2 your air source heat pump could save you!

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Remember, it’s essential to consider factors specific to your situation, such as the climate you live in, the size of your property, and the availability and cost of electricity, when deciding to switch to a heat pump. Hopefully looking at these top 10 Air Source Heat Pump questions has helped. Always be sure to consult with professionals in the field can help you make an informed decision based on your unique circumstances.

Want to start cutting your emissions as soon as possible? Our team can provide you with quotes to compare the best prices and all you have to do is get in touch with us, and you can get a head start on the UK’s heat pump revolution.

After all, Your Green Future Starts Here!