Will your home benefit from ASHP?
We have all seen the shocking headlines about the rising cost in energy prices, and with the energy price cap se to rise again this autumn, it is no surprise that more and more people are looking for ways in which they can heat their homes more efficiently.
One solution which many people are turning to is the installation of air source heat pumps. They provide huge amounts of efficiency and can cut down the reliance on fossil fuels for a property. This means that they are not only cheaper, but better for the environment too. Here we take a look at what an air source heat pump does and whether it would be right for your home.
What is an air source heat pump?
Air source heat pumps use outside air as one of their main components. They suck it into the system and use it to heat up a liquid refrigerant. It is this which then pumped around your home to provide heating through your radiators and hot water using just a small amount of electricity. The unit itself will be fitted to the back or side of your home so that it can suck in all of the air that it needs. This is the air that heats the refrigerant before the pump compresses the liquid to increase its temperature.
At this point it condenses back into a liquid and releases the stored heat. The heated liquid is then pushed around your radiators to heat your home and any excess heat will power a hot water cylinder for you to wash and shower. These are known as air-to-water heating systems, but there are also air-to-air systems which generate heat in the form of warm air which is pushed into your home using fans. This type of system cannot be used with underfloor heating and also does not generate any hot water.
When you are using them, you would not know the difference between an air source heat pump and a gas boiler, as they are just as effective, but you will notice a difference when your gas bill arrives.
The pros and cons of air source heat pumps
One of the biggest benefits of an air source heat pump is its eco-friendly credentials. Whilst it does still need some electricity, it can reduce your reliance on fossil fuels dramatically, which means that they are cheaper too. An air source heat pump is even cheaper than some of the other eco-friendly systems on the market and easier to install.
The other main advantage of an air source heat pump is the money that it can save you once it is up and running. You will not need to use gas at all for heating or hot water, and the amount of electricity that the pump needs in order to work is relatively small. Averages suggest that a typical system could costs around £700 a year to run, whereas a gas combi boiler is more likely to cost you £900-£1000 in that time.
However, it is worth noting that air source heat pumps are not quiet systems. The outside unit can be particularly noisy, although it should not be loud enough to be heard inside your home, but it could disrupt your time in the garden or your neighbours.
As part of the way air source heat pumps work, the outside unit will blow out cold air which can be an annoyance and means that garden furniture and barbecues need to be moved away from it. This also means that when the ambient air temperature drops, so does the efficiency of the system.
Whilst an air source heat pump is efficient, some users have found that they do not generate as much heat as traditional systems, which may mean that some properties will require larger radiators to heat more spacious rooms. These types of heating systems often work best with underfloor heating.
The biggest drawback to an air source heat pump is the upfront cost, which will usually cost quite a bit more than a regular gas boiler. A good quality system will cost £7000 on average, which rises to between £10,00-£12,000 when installation costs have been factored in. These are cheaper than many other green alternatives, but the cost can still feel prohibitive.
Air source heat pump installation
When you install an air source heat pump, you may need to install new radiators as well, as gas boilers systems operate at a higher temperature. You will therefore need to swap them for radiators with a higher output as well as room by room controls and heat pump compatible hot water storage. As the air source heat pump generates slightly lower temperatures, you will also need to ensure that your home has high levels of insulation and is as airtight as possible. Without this, you will need a much larger heat pump which is more costly to install and run.
For this reason, air source heat pumps are recommended for new homes which can be built to the specifications needed. However, it is still possible to retrofit your home with one if you are prepared to spend the money that is needed.
The good news is that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme now offers £5000 to anyone who is installing an air source heat pump as an incentive to do so. This does help to make it a more achievable option for those who were put off by the initial costs.
Air source heat pumps are a big step forwards when it comes to heating your home without the astronomical gas and electricity prices that we are seeing now. They can reduce our need to use these fossil fuels, therefore reducing the carbon footprint of your home and your energy bills at the same time. Whilst installation of these heat pumps is not always easy, it can still be a worthwhile avenue to pursue, especially while there are government grants to place to make the cost a little easier to bear.
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