Heat Pumps
Air source heat pumps
Whether you have an issue in your home or are thinking about installing a new boiler, hot water cylinder, air source heat pump, solar, kitchen or complete bathroom installation.
How a heat pump works
Outside air is blown over a network of tubes filled with a refrigerant. This warms up the refrigerant, and it turns from a liquid into a gas. This gas passes through a compressor, which increases the pressure. Compression also adds more heat – similar to how the air hose warms up when you top up the air pressure in your tyres. The compressed, hot gases pass into a heat exchanger, surrounded by cool air or water. The refrigerant transfers its heat to this cool air or water, making it warm. And this is circulated around your home to provide heating and hot water. Meanwhile, the refrigerant condenses back into a cool liquid and starts the cycle all over again!
Installing a heat pump
in your home
Heat pumps for underfloor heating systems.
Underfloor heating systems use a larger heat emitter area, in comparison to a standard radiator, which may use one or two square metres of wall area, the underfloor heating has a very large heat exchange surface.
Heat pumps work great when there is less of a difference between the inside and outside temperatures, this makes them very good for underfloor heating systems. Floors cover the whole area of your home making this an excellent emitter for heat pumps.
Heat pumps for radiators.
If your existing heating system consists of radiators, and you are considering switching from a gas or oil fired central system to an air source heat pump, you may need to install larger radiators, this will be considered on the first survey.
Heat pumps for hot water.
Heat pumps are a great source for hot water, but you may need to upgrade to a pressurised hot water cylinder, this will be considered on the first survey. These types of system are much more efficient and deliver high pressure hot water to every outlet in your home, ruling out any need for shower pumps and roof tanks.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Highly efficient source of heat and hot water
- Reduce heating costs by up to 30%
- Zero carbon if used with a renewable tariff
- Can closely match the running costs of other home heating systems
- Installation cost offset by Renewable Heat Incentive payments
- Minimal maintenance with a long service life
- Cheapest and simplest way of heating your home
- Quick and safe installation process
- Help the environment by not burning gas and oil
- Much cheaper and easier to install than ground source.
- Their green credentials will play a fundamental role in helping the country to achieve zero carbon emissions.
Cons
- Heat pumps may work best in older homes as part of a hybrid system.
- Insulation and radiators may need to be upgraded.
- Heat pumps will use an outdoor space.
- Hot water storage tank may need to be changed.
Please feel free to contact us to discuss your heat pump installation and book a free no obligation survey and quotation.