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Question and answer

As fossil fuels get phased out across all elements of the energy market and gas boilers face looming bans, heat pumps remain one of the most efficient ways of heating your home sustainably with minimal maintenance. You may be wondering what they are, how they work, and a few other questions like cost. To make it super easy, we’ve covered it all in this ultimate guide.

If you are looking to change and upgrade your home heating system, the decision may seem a daunting one. Air source heat pumps are one solution that could fulfil your home’s heating and hot water demand so let us help you make an informed choice about whether this low carbon heating system is the right option for your home.

Q1. Is a heat pump right for my home?

An air source heat pump is suitable for most types of properties but one of the key factors that will help you decide whether a heat pump is right for your home will be the current level of heat that is escaping through your roof, walls and windows.

Is my home well insulated?

As heat pumps are low temperature systems, it is important that any heat loss from your home is minimised and this can be achieved with suitable levels of loft insulation, double glazed windows and wall insulation. Typically, a home built since the late 1990s will be sufficiently insulated and suitable for a heat pump. An accurate heat loss calculation should also be used to help determine the suitability of a property for an air to water heat pump.

Q2. What financial support is available?

Government funding is available to support homeowners who want to install renewable energy systems or energy efficiency measures into their home.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides eligible homeowners in England and Wales with a grant of up to £7,5000 if they replace their gas or oil boiler with an air source heat pump. In addition, certain types of energy saving materials, such as heat pumps, are currently eligible for a zero rate of VAT.

Q3. How do they work?

Air source heat pumps use the heat energy that is contained within the air and they convert this into energy that can be used within your home to heat it. Air source heat pumps use the same kind of technology that keeps a fridge or freezer cool – but in reverse.

The pump pulls in air from outside, then uses it to heat a special refrigerant liquid. As it warms up, the liquid turns into gas. The gas is compressed to increase its temperature – and provide lots of lovely heat for your home.
Once the gas has transferred its heat, it cools down, becomes liquid again. And returns to the start of the cycle.

The whole process only uses electricity and has an energy efficiency of over 350% – compared to an A-rated gas boiler, which is about 90% efficient. The science behind heat pumps sounds amazing, but it’s not new. It was first described by scientist Lord Kelvin back in 1852.

Q4. How much does it cost to install an air source heat pump?

Every installation is different so calculating an average cost of a heat pump installation is difficult. An estimate would be from £7,000 up to £19,000.

For homes which do not require additional insulation measures, the installation costs will be lower than a property which may need loft or wall insulation installed. Our srveyors will be able to assess your property’s build type and heating requirements to then give you an accurate estimate of costs for your home’s system.

Q5. What size air source heat pump do I need?

To determine the size of heat pump you will need, a heat loss calculation must be carried out on your home which our surveyor will do. This calculation will work out the amount of space within your home that needs heating as well as calculating the amount of heat that is being lost from your home. The outcome of this calculation will determine the heat output required from your heat source, whether that be a 6kW air source heat pump or a 20kW air source heat pump for example. It is vitally important that the right size of heat pump is selected for your home.

Q6. Do I need planning permission to install an air source heat pump?

In most instances planning permission is not required because an air source heat pump installation is considered permitted development provided certain conditions are met. Provided the size of the heat pump’s outdoor compressor unit does not exceed 0.6 cubic meters and provided the heat pump unit complies with MCS Standards, installing a heat pump should not require planning permission. It is always recommended to check with your Local Authority Planning Department to ensure that you are complying with their requirements.

Q7. Do they make a lot of noise?

No. A common misconception about air source heat pumps is that they are noisy but, as long as they are installed correctly (for example, fitted on anti-vibration feet and on a level surface), heat pumps today operate quietly. All of our systems have the quiet mark which acknowledges their very quiet operation.

Q8. Do they work effectively in the winter?

Yes. Provided your heat pump has been correctly installed and the system correctly sized, a heat pump will work effectively during the colder months of the year. All of our systems have built-in frost protection and they have been designed to operate in air temperatures from -20ºC up to 43ºC.

Q9. Will I need a secondary heating source?

In most instances, no, you will not require a secondary heat source. Larger properties or properties with lower levels of insulation may require an additional heat source and this is where hybrid heating technologies can be installed. Hybrid products combine an air source heat pumps with a fossil fuel boiler, such as an oil boiler.

Q10. Are they future proof?

Yes. Air source heat pumps are growing in popularity and will be a core part of home heating systems as we all transition into a low carbon and ultimately net zero world. Air source heat pumps can also be easily integrated with other products, either in hybrid installation scenarios (as mentioned above) or with technologies such as solar thermal system so a heat pump can help you significantly reduce your dependency on fossil fuels.