Air Source Heat Pumps Supplied and Installed.

PHC specialise in the supply and installation of air source heat pumps across Greater Manchester and the north of England. Providing fairly low-cost space heating solutions for well insulated homes with well managed ventilation.

Air source heat pumps are the sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuel heating systems. With their green credentials and high-efficiency operation, they are becoming a go-to choice for homeowner. This also plays a huge role in helping the nation achieve its net zero carbon emission targets.

This kind of renewable energy technology takes the warmth from the air outside, even in the extreme cold temperatures, and uses it to heat the home.

There are other types of heat pumps that do the same thing using the warmth in the ground and in water. Air source heat pumps are more suited towards a wider range of property types and sizes due to the air being heated by the sun. The energy produced by heat pumps is still classed as ‘renewable’ and great for the environment, even though the pump itself is powered by mains electric which may or may not have a renewable source.

Types of Air Source Heat Pumps

There are two types of air source heat pump; air-to-water and air-to-air systems with air-to-water heat pumps being the most common. Air source heat pumps heat water which is then circulated around the home via radiators or an underfloor heating system so they can also be used to heat water in a storage tank for bathrooms or kitchens. Air-to-air systems typically use fans to circulate warm air around the home and cannot be used to heat water.

How do Air Source Heat Pumps work?

Take your fridge for example – air source heat pumps use the same type of technology to keep your fridge cold, but in reverse.

A liquid refrigerant which has a very low boiling point is pumped on a loop system between two heat exchange points. This refrigerant takes on heat energy from the outside ambient air temperature and turns into a gas as it heats up. This gas is then compressed back into a liquid. This increases its temperature further and flows through a heat exchange point transferring the warmth to a separate body of water for circulating round the central heating system. During the final process, the liquid refrigerant goes through an expansion valve reducing the pressure and temperature and the cycle then repeats.

Coefficient of Performance, or COP, is why heat pumps are a useful technology and becoming a common choice for homeowners. If you put 1kWh of energy into a system you will get more than 1kWh of heat energy out. Typically a heat pump has a maximum CoP of 3 to 4, meaning for 1kWh of electricity will generate 3 to 4 kWh’s of heat. The actual ratio of ‘electricity in’ to ‘heat out’ may change over the course of the coming years.

Is my property suitable for an Air Source Heat Pump?

A well-insulated and well-ventilated home with good quality standards of air-tightness is important because heat pumps are generally most effective in homes which warm up quickly and withhold heat inside the property meaning they require little energy to maintain a temperature once it’s been reached. Once of the first things to consider when installation an air source heat pump is to check the energy efficiency inside your home and make sure it’s up to a good standard before installing a heat pump.

Air source heat pumps have optimum performance and operate most efficiently when the temperature difference between the pump unit and the heat distribution system is small. Consequently, they produce heat at a lower temperature than a conventional central heating system so a larger area is required for the heat distribution such as installing bigger radiators, therefore, some of your existing radiators may need replacing. Underfloor heating is ideal when installing a heat pump, but large, heat-pump specific radiators can also be used. Air source heat pumps also work more efficiently when the temperature demands on the system are gradual rather than sudden and are controlled slightly different to traditional central heating systems.

Based on CSE data, in the UK we now produce most of our electric from low-carbon sources, a heat pump that works efficiently is likely to be the lowest carbon form of heating for your home.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that while the heat pump itself doesn’t take up a lot of space. They simply need to be positioned somewhere outside with adequate air flow. An air source heat pump contains a fan which makes very little background noise, so you may want to consider your neighbours when deciding where to install it.

Cost and savings by installing an Air Source Heat Pump

Air source heat pumps make great financial sense in properties which are off the gas grid and therefore use expensive fuels such as electricity, oil, LPG or coal for space heating. If you’re connected to mains gas which is cheaper than electricity for each unit supplied, you will need to make sure your home is well insulated. This is because the heat pump will need to perform efficiently to save you money.

The typical cost of installing an air source heat pump unit can range between £8000 – £15,000 depending on the size of the property it needs to heat. Additional works may also be required to upgrade the internal heat distribution system. This includes adding larger radiators to help distribute the heat through your home or property. If you want your heat pump to operate to its full capacity then do the fabric first and insulate your home to a good standard.

Running costs can vary depending on the size and insulation levels of your home. The type of distribution system you have and the room temperature you wish to obtain, as well as the CoP of the system mentioned above. The type of fuel you’re currently using will determine how much you save on your annual fuel bill. Based on data from Energy Saving Trust, potential yearly savings on a 4-bedroom detached home are:

Are grants available for Air Source Heat Pump installations?

Air source heat pump installations are funded by the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme and are subject to availability. Currently, this gives you £5,000 off the cost to supply and install a heat pump. Grants can only be processed when using an MCS accredited installer.

Maintenance costs for air source heat pumps are relatively low. Heat pumps are reliable, work automatically and most will operate for 20 years or more. Our team at PHC can advise on any maintenance required, such as an annual check by you and a service every few years by a a member of our team.

Integration with Other Renewables

Although air source heat pumps can meet the heating and hot water needs of an average household, you can also combine heat pumps with other renewable technologies to maximise your carbon savings and minimise the cost of your energy bills. For example, solar PV could be used to generate the electricity that powers the heat pump, and when coupled with a battery, stored power from PV panels during the day could be used to heat hot water for baths and showers in the evening.

Factors to Consider Before Installing your Air Source Heat Pump

If you’re thinking about installing an air source heat pump in your property, the following three factors are to be considered:

Costs: The cost of installing an air source heat pump is usually between £8,000- £15,000. Additional costs may be incurred depending on the system type chosen system, the size of your property and your specific requirements. These costs are much lower in comparison to ground source heat pumps which range from £20,000 – £45,000 supplied and installed.

Insulation: To maximise the benefits of an air source heat pump and have high returns in terms of saving, it is important to have a well-insulated home, particularly with loft insulation to maintain the heat within the property. This ensures that the heat generated within the home does not escape, therefore allowing for a consistently warm home during the colder months.

Installer: Finding the right installer is very important to ensure the heat pump is installed correctly. At PHC, we are an MCS accredited installer meaning we offer Insurance Backed Guarantees and are registered as an approved Government installer giving our customers complete peace of mind when appointing a contractor to install an air source heat pump.