Domestic Heat Pumps

Domestic Heat Pumps: Efficient Hot Water and Heating for Your Home

Heat pumps are a renewable, low carbon alternative to traditional high carbon heating systems. This modern technology delivers sustainable hot water for your home and as well as space cooling and heating all year round.

The Mittens Heat Pumps UK has installed ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps for many domestic clients in the UK.  Heat pumps vary enormously in quality and reliability. The range of heat pumps we offer only come with proven track records and robust safeguards.

Which Heat Pump is Best for Your Home?

Air source heat pumps are so lightweight that they accommodate a wide range of properties. However, combining air source heat pumps with the current heating system is a highly technical process and should be worked out by trained experts like the Mittens Heat Pumps UK to produce the heat and hot water you require.

For new buildings and renovations, air-source heat pumps are ideal because they operate exceptionally well in properties designed to the most recent regulations and work efficiently with underfloor heating.

Air source heat pumps are more affordable than ground source heat pumps. Ground source heat pumps are usually more effective but come at a higher cost.

Heat Pumps for New Homes

Are you exploring heating options for your new home? Heat pumps can provide an efficient, energy-efficient alternative to traditional hot water and heating systems in new builds. The good news is that heat pumps pay for themselves by taking advantage of an initiative from the government called the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

What’s more, compared to traditional means of heating, the running costs are super low with less of a carbon footprint.

Will a Heat Pump Suit my Home and Heating Needs?

Before choosing to install a heat pump system in your home, there are many factors that must be considered.

An important factor to consider is the requirements of the house. In the case of a ground source heat pump, you’ll require a space outside – generally about twice the dwelling’s surface area – that you don’t mind digging up to lay the heat pump.

When you don’t have the room or if you don’t want to dig up your backyard, it may be better to go for an air source heat pump network, which is much more portable and more suited for urban environments.

The insulation quality of your property will also have a significant effect on the cost and energy conservation provided by heat pumps from the air and/ or ground supply.

New builds and newly restored properties are also suitable for the installation of heat pumps, which are built to high energy efficiency requirements.

Your home’s current source of heating and hot water also affects the financial rewards of renewable heating systems.

For instance, if you are substituting liquid gas, electric, or a solid fuel system with a heat pump system, the financial benefits are likely to be relatively high.

Why Should I use a Heat Pump to Heat my House?

At temperatures as low as -15°C, heat pumps need less energy to operate. That means you can have heating and hot water for your home all year round.

High Efficiency

When you are heating with energy, a heat pump will reduce the amount of power used by as much as 40%. Also, in summer months, heat pumps are a far better dehumidifier than standard central air conditioners, using less energy in the process while providing more comfort through cooling.

Long Lifespan

Heat pumps have considerable longevity. In the past, their total lifespan was about 15 years, however, today’s new systems last between 20-25 years until they need replacement due to many technical advances.

A heat pump’s long life is due to its quality and design – there’s not that much that can go wrong, particularly with newer models. Heat pumps are the clear winners in terms of their longevity, compared to other types of heating.

Your heat pump’s lifespan is very important in that you can recover sufficient funds after 7 years through the RHI scheme.

Moreover, oil, electric and gas boilers are only allowed to work for 10 – 12 years before their parts need to be replaced, parts that the manufacturer may well have stopped making. Not so with heat pumps.

Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive is a government initiative designed to encourage UK dwellers to use renewable energy by paying people who install and use such systems in their UK homes. You could be getting money for renewable heating costs. You get paid for 7 years depending on the amount of renewable heat you generate.

Domestic Air Source Heat Pump Potential Earnings

Heat pumps are part of the government’s newly launched solar heat incentive scheme. It means you can get paid for any unit of heat you produce if you add a solar heating system.

Occasionally, but not always, the RHI payments will be sufficient to offset the cost of the initial outlay of the air source heat pump.

Air source heat pumps usually cost from £7,000 – £10,000. You should expect to get about £2,000 – £5,000 in a regular home. RHI payments are paid in excess of seven years on a quarterly basis, so please note, you’ll need to invest the money upfront.

Potential Money in Your Pocket

If you have already purchased or upgraded a solar heating system qualifying under the domestic sustainable power incentive program, you will obtain quarterly payments from the UK government for a period of seven years.

The RHI for Ground Source Heat Pumps

The domestic RHI covers all ground source heat pumps installed as of 15 July 2009.  Renewable power plants will also earn a 20.89 pence cashback rebate per kilowatt-hour used – over the first seven years of the facilities used.

Savings on Bills

The lowered gasoline costs will offset the initial capital expense and there will be no need for repair or servicing. Much of the electricity you use for heating comes from the earth and you’ll be less subject to consumer price swings and have a stable supply of energy for your home.

What’s more, you’ll be liable for compensation of between £2,405 and £2,830 a year under the Renewable Heat Incentive after you have installed the heat pump.

Potential Money in Your Pocket

The use of a ground source heat pump could minimise your energy consumption for heating by up to 75% compared with direct electricity.

What Size Heat Pump Do I Need for My House?

Install one ton of air-conditioning capacity for every 500-600 square feet of conditioned floor area. Every ton is worth BTU 12,000. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit.

For homeowners who are not professionals in the heating or cooling sector, this may seem a little complex. That is where our expert team comes in – they will determine the right size heat pump for your home.

Can Households in Cold Climates use an Air Source Heat Pump?

Cold climate air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) can be a cost-effective option for many homeowners across the UK to improve home comfort while delivering energy and cost savings which make their homes more affordable to live in. ASHP systems can be installed across a variety of climates and in different types of housing.

How to Keep the House Warm or Cool all Year Long

In addition to helping your house stay warm in the winter, a heat pump will even keep your house cool throughout the summer. In cold weather, it works by drawing warm air from outside and moving it inside your house.

Even when it is cold outside, warm air is still present. The heat pump can transfer it to the house where it’s required.

In warm weather, the heat extraction process is reversed, heat is taken from inside the house and released outside. That way, when it is warmer outside, the air inside stays cool.  A heat pump is a very efficient way to keep your home comfortable all year round, by heating and cooling a home using a small amount of energy.

Get in Touch

As specialists in renewable technology, we precisely size heat pumps for individual houses. This is based on comprehensive heat loss calculations and hot water calculations taken at your property, from which we can specify the model of heat pump which will most efficiently and cost-effectively meet 100% of your heat demands.

If you would like to find out how much a heat pump system would cost to install in your home, fill out our contact form. One of our professional account managers will be in contact quickly for a short talk before drawing up a plan, complete with efficiency forecasts and estimated costs.

For more information, please call 01273257407 today to arrange a free fact-finding ‘no obligation’ conversation.