Air to Water Heat Pumps

The heat pump is a system that extracts energy from the air for heating or cooling the house. This process is known as space-conditioning. Heat pumps work in reverse as heat engines, as they work from electricity inputs to transfer heat from a cold place to a warm location, and vice versa. Because heat is moved instead of created, heat pumps can condition an equivalent space for less than the cost of running conventional heating or cooling appliances.

How do Air Source Heat Pumps Work?

An air source heat pump is a device that, by applying the concept of vapour compression, moves hot air from one location to another in much the same way as a refrigerator system does. The heat from the air is absorbed into a fluid at a low temperature. This fluid passes through the compressor, increasing the temperature, and transferring the higher temperature heat to the house’s heating and hot water circuits.

There are two main types of air source heat pumps: air-to-water and air-to-air. The system you choose will decide the type of heat distribution system you will need.

Air-to-water Heat Pumps

Air-to-water heat pumps collect heat from the air outside and transfer the heat to water. The air-to-water system dispenses heat through your central wet heating system. This type of heat pump system works much more efficiently at a lower temperature than the standard boiler system would do. This makes them more suitable for underfloor heating systems or larger radiators, which provide heat at lower temperatures over longer time periods. Air-to-water heat pumps are the most common heat pump model used in the United Kingdom.

Air-to-air Heat Pumps

As the refrigerant moves into the heating system, the high temperature (usually 100 degrees or above) converts it into steam or gas as the energy generates heat. The gas moves through the compressor, which raises its temperature, and then through the expansion valve, which allows the hot air to reach the house.

Next, the hot air passes through a condenser that turns the gas into liquid again. The heat generated by the energy during the evaporation process passes through the heat exchanger once more to start over the cycle and is used for underfloor heating in an air-to-air heat pump or for hot water in an air-to-water heat pump system.

It may be necessary to engage the services of a person specialised in these heat pumps to help you determine the air-source heat pump that is suitable for your home. If that is the case, The Mittens Heat Pumps UK have qualified individuals who are happy to be of assistance with this. Call 01273 257407 to talk to someone today.

Air source heating systems collect heat from the air outside that has been warmed by the sun and use it to heat a low-temperature coolant. The temperature of the heat pump compressor is increased by compressing the coolant or refrigerant, which then evaporates so that its stored heat is released.

The cost of installing a standard air source heat pump is between £7,500 and £12,000. This figure will, of course, differ depending on where in the country the system will be installed, the size of the heating system and the size of your house. How quickly you will begin to see returns on investment from installing a heating system will depend a lot on the effectiveness of the system and whether you are using an underfloor system.

The other important factor that influences the ROI period is whether you can get money from the RHI and how you will use the heat generated by the pump.

Air Source Heat Pump Grants in the UK

You may have been considering buying an air source heat pump, particularly as it is such an efficient and efficient way to heat your home. Like most new energy sources, buying one of these systems can come with a very high price tag. There are, however, some financial benefits to the investment in the form of government incentives and grants.

For example, it is actually possible for you to receive some financial assistance from the government when you start using an air source heat pump. You may qualify to receive payments for the heat you produce using the pump via the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

RHI was established by the Government in 2014 as part of its obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is essentially a reward programme for anyone generating their own renewable energy. Payments from the RHI depends on a number of factors, such as the type of technology installed and the current tariffs. Newly installed heat pumps will also need a meter to decide their heat output.

However, for domestic households not including second homes, payments will still be made on the basis of the assessed heat output. It should be recalled that, sadly, domestic RHI is no longer available in Northern Ireland.

According to The Energy Saving Trust, yearly RHI payments would be between £1,341 and £1,586 for an average detached home of four bedrooms. Over the course of seven years, it would have added up to between £9,387 and £11,102.

How can you Save Money with Air-to-water Heat Pumps?

One of the greatest benefits of an air source heat pump is its efficiency. A well-installed air source heat pump system is able to deliver between 1.5 and 3 times the amount of electrical energy it absorbs in the form of heat energy for your home. This is possible because the heat pumps from the air supply transfer the heat instead of burning fuel. By comparison, the best oil-fired furnaces can only approach the 1-to-1 ratio of energy consumed to the heat energy provided.

The kind of savings you can expect from the remarkable efficiency of air source heat pumps varies depending on where you live, but the savings are substantial. According to research, an air source heat pump provides an annual saving of around 40% compared to electrical resistance heaters. Importantly, these savings will increase over time as the air source heat pump technology advances and energy prices increase, and your savings will be even more significant if you are switching from a coal-based or electrical system.

Domestic Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps are a ground-breaking, effective heating and cooling technology, but they may not be suitable for any kind of property. It is important to understand the unique attributes of your property when deciding whether the installation of a heat pump makes sense.

There are four main factors that determine whether an air source heat pump is a good heating and cooling option for your home: location, budget, type of property, and your existing heating and cooling system.

The primary advantage of choosing to use an air source heat pump over an air conditioning unit is that the air source heat pump can both heat and cool, while air conditioners cannot heat. Air source heat pumps also do not require the level of ducting required by central air conditioning systems and are therefore generally easier to install, making them an ideal investment in domestic properties.

In England, air source heat pump systems will be considered permitted development, as long as they meet certain criteria, while in Wales and Northern Ireland, air-source heat pumps require planning permission. Need more information about air source heat pumps for your domestic property? Get in touch with us at The Mittens Heat Pumps UK – call 01273 257407 to speak to someone today.

Which is the Best Air Source Heat Pump for me?

Air source heat pumps are an extremely efficient way to heat your house, offering a renewable energy option for homeowners. Air-to-water heat pumps can even create sufficient energy for you to qualify to earn money through the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. Over time, with decreased electricity costs and the RHI programme, you might make back the initial expense of the appliance.

With the increasing number of companies producing air sources heat pumps, it can be hard to know which one you should invest in. To avoid making a mistake and losing the many benefits of your investment in heat pumps, it’s a good idea to get advice from an expert. There are just so many models and types that a layman can easily end up with an unsuitable unit. To get expert advice on buying a heat pump for your home, simply get in contact with one of our knowledgeable people using the feedback form or by calling 01273 257407 on the phone.

One of the most common renewable technology options we offer is the air source heat pump. As well as being lightweight and very effective, you can also make money back through the Renewable Heat Incentive. To provide you with a little more information about the kinds of air source heat pumps we have handled over the years, we’ve listed some of the top manufacturers around.

Worcester Bosch

Worcester Bosch is widely known in the gas, oil boilers and hot water industry, but they have also moved to renewable heating systems. Their air-to-air heat pumps are intentionally built with the UK climate in mind, able to heat up a large area in a well-insulated home and can also cool in the summer.

Air Source Heat Pump Reviews

Heat pumps are becoming more and more popular as they generate heat and cool for your home in a way that reduces the negative impact on the environment, without costing you too much. Air source heat pumps can turn out to be a great investment for you, but it’s important to learn from other people’s experience with their system. Reviews and customer feedback are a vital part of your purchase, so take the time to read the reviews and opinions on this page before you purchase.

We repair and service air source heat pumps and as service partners for manufacturers such as Mitsubishi, Dimplex, NIBE, Danfoss and Samsung, we can repair and service almost any make or model.

Annual maintenance is included in all of our contracts to help ensure that your heat pump continues to run at its optimal efficiency and is an important requirement for manufacturers’ warranties to be valid. If you want to know more about our maintenance contract, just give us a ring on 01273 257407 today to chat with one of our experts.