Should you invest in an air source heat pump?

An Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) is an alternative way to heat up your home whilst also being a more environmentally friendly option with lower carbon emissions. This isn’t the only positive; having an ASHP is generally more cost-effective than traditional methods, which is more important now than ever before, as proven by the headlining news articles on the ‘soaring energy prices’. With the government announcing the banning of oil and gas boilers by 2025, we are lead to think of alternative ways to stay warm during these cold winter months… 

So, how does an ASHP actually work? As described by Which, heat is taken from the outside air and then electrically increased to a higher temperature using a compressor. This heat can then be transferred into your heating systems at home. Also, any remaining heat can be stored in a hot water cylinder to be used for hot showers, baths or taps. Think of it almost as a refrigerator but working oppositely with hot air instead of cold. 

Despite using electricity, ASHP are energy efficient as they use less energy than the heat they produce. To play your part in helping the nation reach carbon net-zero by 2050, investing in an ASHP is certainly a possibility as it lowers your carbon footprint. By generating your own renewable heat, you have the potential to save money on your energy bills- I’m sure that we will all take that opportunity during these uncertain times. Even in the extremely cold winter months, the ASHP will still work effectively in temperatures below zero!

But here’s something to consider- there are two different types of air source heat pumps, air-to-water and air-to-air.

Air-to-Water Pumps

These types of pumps take heat from the outside air and put it into the wet central heating system. This is mostly suitable for larger radiators or water underfloor heating. To maximise the effectivity, a large surface is required to release the heat. An air-to-water pump is also eligible for the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive Payment.

Air-to-Air Pumps 

Alternatively to air-to-water, air-to-air pumps take heat from the outside air and input into your home through the use of fans. It is important that a warm air circulation system is needed to move the heat around the home. In the summer months, this pump can be reversely used to almost act as air conditioning to provide cool air. However, air-to-air pumps are not eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive Payment. 

I guess you are now wondering how much ASHP’s cost. The Energy Saving Trust state that it costs approximately £9,000 to £11,000. The price varies on the size, complexity and level of advanced controls. However, it is important to note that the running costs are minimal; an ASHP is certainly an investment but one that should save money over time. 

If it is something you are still considering, you should know that as the boiler is already connected to the existing central heating system, the pipework will need to be inspected. It needs to be secure, the correct size and the correct type of pipe.

Much like any other home improvement investment, it is important that you weigh up the pros and cons to decide whether an ASHP will be a benefit to your home. Luckily for you, we have compiled a list of these for you. 

Possible Implications:

  • Boilers operate at a higher temperature than ASHP so this means that it is highly likely you will need to replace the existing radiators with higher output ones
  • As well as this, you may need to add room by room controls and replace the hot water cylinder with one that has a larger heat exchanger
  • As the ASHP operates at a lower temp, it is essential that your home is well-insulated

Benefits:

  • Energy efficient as they generate less CO2
  • Lowers your carbon footprint
  • Less disruptive than installing a ground source heat pump 
  • Potential to save money on heating in comparison to older systems 

Is 2022 the time for you to be more money and energy-smart? Perhaps it is the perfect time for you to invest in an Air Source Heat Pump and say goodbye to those increasing energy bills!