Air Source Heat Pumps Explained
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Air Source Heat Pumps
An Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) captures heat from the air circulating outside your property and boosts the temperature to provide heat and hot water. It is a very effective, low carbon way of heating your home and can be combined with a number of renewable and energy efficient technologies to deliver a truly sustainable home or commercial premises. An ASHP can be installed in new and existing properties.
What Makes The Investment More Attractive
Renewable energy source that helps to lower the carbon footprint of your property
More energy-efficient than traditional boilers
Can help to lower your energy bills if you’re replacing an LPG or oil boiler
Generates more units of heat than the electricity it uses
Eligible for the Governments Boiler Upgrade Scheme
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Maintenence
As with most heating systems, it’s worthwhile having your heat pump serviced once a year by a professional engineer to check that everything is working as it should.
Our renewable energy team are here to ensure that your Air Source Heat Pump system is working properly. All our heat pump customers are contacted 12 months after their installation to book in for their first annual check. And if you have any concerns before or after, we’re only a phone call away.
Our maintenance service includes several checks, including:
• Check system operation and system settings
• Clean heating system filter
• Check external evaporator heat exchanger
• Check heating system anti-freeze level
• Check system expansion vessels
• Domestic hot water cylinder and pressure relief valves
• (PRV’s) operation check
• Tightening of electrical connection and anti-vibration mounts
• Ensure no leaks
• Check Hot Water pasteurisation settings
Record system operation parameters
Air source heat pump servicing
from £275+VAT
Radiators and Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating systems are the ideal partner to an Air Source Heat Pump, increasing the efficiency of the entire system. The lower the temperature you run the system at, the more affordable your heat pump becomes – and underfloor heating can run at very low temperatures when installed properly.
Underfloor heating works is a very large heat emitter when compared to a traditional radiator. Underfloor heating occupies a much larger space for a bigger heat exchange surface. By installing a larger heat emitter, such as an underfloor system or larger radiators, the system can run at much lower temperatures but still achieve a comfortable living temperature in the room for greater efficiency and lower running costs.
For new builds and home renovations, installing underfloor heating alongside an Air Source Heat Pump can dramatically increase efficiency, affordability and can provide a more sustainable way of living in your home.
Case Study
Combining your ASHP with a solar PV installation is a great way of improving your self-sufficiency, and save on your energy bills and reduce emissions.
See our customer case study and learn how a combined renewable energy application can support your environmental goals.
How air source works
An Air Source Heat Pump uses the same technology as your kitchen fridge to move heat from one place to another.
An ASHP uses the temperature of the air circulating outside to warm a liquid refrigerant.
The heat pump turns the refrigerant into a gas, compresses it and then condenses back into a liquid again which generates heat energy and the cycle starts again.
What makes heat pumps sustainable?
The temperature of the air outside is determined by the sun and local weather conditions and is therefore a renewable source of heat.
Using this renewable energy to help heat your home is more sustainable than fossil fuel alternatives.
Heat pumps are electric, but by using heat from the air they use less electricity to produce heat than traditional electric heating systems.
Combining your ASHP with your own solar energy increases their sustainability and further reduces carbon emissions.
Are air source heat pumps efficient?
The efficiency and performance of an ASHP is measured using Coefficient of Performance (COP) and this varies by model and brand.
A number of factors including the insulation levels that your property has, your existing heating system and whether you are using under floor heating versus radiators will determine the overall performance of your ASHP.
Government incentive schemes to encourage investment in low carbon technology can currently cover the cost of installation and ongoing maintenance costs are lower than with traditional heating systems.
Geo Green Power have extensive experience and will ensure you understand the options available.
Learn more about how ASHPs work
Hybrid heating systems: combining boilers with ASHPs
If you choose Air to Air your ASHP will provide hot air to heat your property and you will need an alternative system to provide hot water.
If you choose Air to Water then your ASHP will provide hot water to heat your property and provide hot water for use within your home.
It’s important to consider your requirements and any unique aspects of your property and location to create the best solution.
Do you need a backup heating system?
When designed and configured correctly your ASHP does not require a back-up heating option.
Heat pumps are designed to maintain properties at a consistent temperature. This is when they run at their optimum efficiency and are most effective.
Heating systems: Radiators vs underfloor heating
ASHPs can be combined with over-sized radiators or underfloor heating. Underfloor heating is often more efficient, but great results can be achieved with other forms of heating.
We will ensure that we recommend the right option for you and your property.
Do ASHPs work in winter?
ASHPs work all year round and in temperatures down to -15 degrees.
They are more efficient when the outside temperatures are higher, however in the UK the difference between seasons is very minimal.
All air that is above the temperature of absolute zero has heat energy!
History of ASHPs and improvements made through the years e.g. reduce noise
In recent years ASHP technology has improved considerably. The cost of ownership has come down and the units have become quieter and more efficient.
Request a call to discuss your project
Our inhouse HVAC team oversees all of our heating projects. Request a call to discuss your project.
ASHP Installation Process
Installing an Air Source Heat Pump for a single dwelling would typically take around 5 working days, which includes commissioning. Unlike installing a Ground Source Heat Pump, there are no groundworks required which makes the installation process similar to that that of a traditional gas or oil boiler.
- The Air Source Heat Pump unit will be fitted to the outside of your property, ensuring there’s plenty of airflow around it and that nothing is blocking the unit.
- The unit measures around 1m wide, 1m high and 30cm deep – this is bolted to the ground or with brackets connecting it to the property to secure it.
- Once the unit has been installed, it will be connected to the hot water cylinder. Depending on your existing system, this may connect easily with your water tank with limited need for extra work. However, larger radiator units might be needed to replace existing radiators.
- Since there are so few moving parts, ASHPs require less ongoing maintenance than standard heating systems – however, we recommend an annual service just to check the system is running to optimal efficiency.
Learn more about installation
Do ASHPs need servicing and regular maintenance?
ASHPs have very few moving parts and require less ongoing maintenance than traditional heating systems. We recommend an annual service to ensure that your system is running at its optimum efficiently.
Do you require planning permission?
You do not require planning permission for an ASHP.
Where to position an air source heat pump
Your ASHP is positioned outside your property and is best in a sheltered location which has good air flow. Most properties can easily accommodate an ASHP in a location that is both effective and convenient.
How to get the best performance from your air source heat pump
ASHPs work best when they are combined with other energy saving technology such as insulation and double glazing. Running your heat pump to maintain your property at a consistent temperature is also advisable.
Changing from Oil Fired Heating to Air Source
When Paul took on a 1970s property he wanted to move away from oil fired heating. He carefully compared the cost of replacing the old oil boiler with an up to date condensing oil boiler or an Air Source Heat Pump system and found that the heat pump option was the right choice for him.
Costs & Expected Returns
What is the installation cost for air source?
Our ASHP installations start from around £12,000
How much do ASHPs cost to run?
It’s very difficult to estimate the running costs of your installation as it will depend on the size of the space you want to heat, the temperature you are running the system at and a number of other factors such as insulation and whether you are using underfloor heating or radiators.
We will be happy to provide an estimate of your running costs if you would like to discuss your project.
What will my return on investment be?
The return on investment that you receive will be determined by the type of fuel you are looking to replace and the cost of running your system. Higher returns can be achieved when switching from oil or LPG heating systems.
The current Renewable Heat Incentive provides payments that, in a number of cases, can cover the cost of the installation.
Heat pumps require less maintenance and repair than most traditional heating systems, which also makes them an attractive investment.
Get in touch to discuss your ASHP project
Get in touch today to organise a no-obligation consultation about your next project.
What our customers say
ASHPs in Commercial & Domestic Buildings
ASHPs in commercial buildings
ASHPs can easily be installed in commercial premises to provide heating and air conditioning and are particularly efficient when running to provide a consistent temperature for offices and workspaces.
ASPHs in domestic houses
ASHPs provide a low carbon, energy efficient way of heating homes. The systems are low maintenance and combining them with other energy efficient technology helps to ensure that they perform at their best.
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ASHPs in New Builds vs Existing Properties
ASHPs installation in new builds
The construction of a new property is the perfect opportunity to consider and implement energy efficient, sustainable technology to ensure that the finished result is as cost effective and environmentally friendly as possible.
The UK Government is due to bring in the Future Homes Standard in 2025 which will prohibit any new build property from having a fossil fuel heating system.
Incorporating low carbon, renewable heating into new build projects will ensure that you remain ahead of legislation.
ASHPs installation in existing and historic buildings
ASHPs can be retrofitted into existing properties to replace oil, LPG and mains gas heating systems. The return on investment will vary depending on the existing heating system and other factors such as the property’s energy ratings.
Often an initial phone-based survey will provide all the information we need to be able to outline whether an ASHP is the right option for you. We can also discuss other low carbon options.
Air Source vs Alternative Heating Solutions
Comparing ASHPs to existing gas and oil systems
An ASHP provides an energy efficient, low carbon option when compared to gas, oil or LPG heating systems. It delivers a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and has lower ongoing maintenance costs.
The costs of installation may be higher than traditional fossil fuel systems, but this is offset considerably by the RHI payments you will receive.
Running costs are usually comparable to mains gas systems, and significantly cheaper than oil or LPG.
Air source heat pump or ground source
An ASHP installation is often cheaper and less intrusive than a GSHP installation and is ideal for smaller properties and those with limited outside space.
If you have a large property to heat, and enough outside space a GSHP will outperform an ASHP. A GSHP system can collect more renewable heat from the earth and therefore requires less electricity to produce the same heat output.
Air source heat pump or solar panels
When considering an ASHP or solar panels, the best choice for you will depend on your heating requirements, budget and energy usage and we will be happy to discuss your options with you.
It may be most cost effective for you to consider a scheme that incorporates both. Using solar power to run your heat pump could deliver the greatest cost efficiency and deliver the most sustainable scheme.
