WHAT IS AN AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP AND HOW DO THEY WORK Economical heating

With a recent hike in energy prices, many people are looking for alternative ways to heat their homes instead of using gas boilers. Renewable energy technology enables you to save money and become more environmentally friendly but with many options available it can be overwhelming to decide which renewable energy solution is right for you. So we will be answering what is an air source heat pump and how they work to help you decide if this renewable technology will work for your property. 

Air source heat pumps use the outside air temperature to extract heat that you can use throughout your property’s radiators or underfloor, wall and ceiling heating. Remaining heat can also be stored in a hot water cylinder which you can then use for hot water for showers, baths and taps. 

So let’s get into the details; The air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air into a refrigerant fluid. Once the heat is extracted from the air, it passes through a compressor which increases its temperature and condenses it back into a liquid to release the stored heat. The heat is then transferred to your home, ready for use. 

Air source heat pumps are simple to install and will heat single or multiple rooms or for the whole house. They are ideal for heating home offices, lounges, bedrooms and some systems allow you to set rooms to a different temperature by remote control or phone app. 

You can also reduce your carbon footprint with air source heat pumps. Some electricity energy is required for the heat pumps to work, however it is a more environmentally friendly option than traditional heat pumps as only 20 to 25% of the total energy is used during the process.

Although an expensive investment, air source heat pumps are cost effective due to reduced long term running costs. The running costs will be dependent on the size and insulation levels of your home, the type of distribution system you have and the temperature you want in your rooms. 

These heat pump systems usually have a working life of 15 years or more and require little maintenance so you can be confident that they work efficiently with just a professional service annually. They work better in well-insulated properties as they are able to retain the heat that has been generated by the pump and the temperatures get up to the level you want easier. You will also need suitable space outside for them to be installed so that the air can circulate. 

They are designed to run for long periods of time so you don’t need to worry about turning them off throughout the day. Compared to electric heating being 100% efficient, heat pumps are 400% efficient. Air source heat pumps can also operate in cold weather too and can go down to -15 degrees. The average UK temperature is 2C, so plenty of heat is available. In fact, depending on the model of your air source heat pump, they can be used for both heating in the colder winter months and cooling in the warm summer months. 

Usually heat pumps can range from £6,000-£13,000 depending on the size and model. If you are interested in having a heat pump installed, the government is currently offering a grant of up to £5,000 through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The scheme is to encourage the switch from fossil fuel boilers to renewables. 

Installing Air Source Heat Pumps With DG Climate Control

At DG Climate Control we install air source heat pumps to help customers embrace renewable energy technologies and become more self-sufficient with their energy use. With over 45 years experience, you can count on us to provide you with a professional service at a competitive price. 

Once your air source heat pump is installed, we also offer heat pump servicing to help maintain the efficiency of your system. To find out more information on air source heat pump systems, contact us today on 01387 733205 or drop us an email over at michael@dgclimatecontrol.co.uk