Air Source Heat Pumps
![Air-source-pump.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4e7af6_1fa5b2bb3d8c45cfb0ba3827a760811f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_979,h_620,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Air-source-pump.jpg)
Heat pumps are suitable for most homes and may reduce energy bills depending on the system you are replacing.
A heat pump is up to three times more efficient than a gas boiler and works by capturing energy from outside (either in the air or ground) and moving it into your home. For every kW of electricity used by the heat pump, 2-4kW of heat is generated (compared to traditional gas boilers which generate 0.9kW of heat per kW of gas).
Heat pumps heat the water in your system to a lower temperature than a traditional gas boiler so rather than switching it on and off when you require heat or hot water it’s more efficient to stay on continuously, heating your home to your chosen temperature consistently.
A well-insulated home is best for a heat pump to work most efficiently, so a survey of your home will be carried out to see if insulation measures e.g. loft or cavity wall insulation, are required prior to installation.
Changing your current heating system to a heat pump will also decrease the carbon emissions your home generates due to improved energy efficiency. The heat output is more than the electricity needed to power the pump. If you switch to a 100% renewable energy tariff then the electricity used to power the pump will be clean as well, reducing your carbon footprint even more.
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Will my air source heat pump make a lot of noise?A common concern is that the pump will make a lot of noise when running. The level of noise depends on how hard it needs to work, its make, its size and installation. Manufacturers are always working on reducing noise levels. They typically range between 40-60 decibels, which is similar to a refrigerator. The pump will be most active during the colder months, but that’s when people tend to not spend as much time outside so it shouldn’t be noticeable when inside.
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Will my heat pump stop working when it’s cold?No. Air source heat pumps can work effectively in as low as -25°C, being commonly used in countries considerably colder than the UK, such as Norway. The pump will work harder when it’s cold, which is the same as most heating systems, but they will continue to be at least twice as efficient as a gas boiler.
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Should I turn my pump off when I don’t want heat and on when I do want heat?For most kinds of heating, it is common practice to run it for a short amount of time. With an air source heat pump, this is not the case. Turning the air pump on and off will not help the pump to run efficiently. It’s more efficient to allow plenty of time for the pump to reach the temperature you want and leave it running. For example, do this by: Decide your comfortable temperature. In this case, let's say 21°C. Decide when you want your home to be warm, for example when you wake up at 7am. Whatever time you decide, minus 3 hours, and this is the time you will program the heating to come on. In this case at 4am. The same applies in reverse for the evening when you don’t need the heating to be so high. Comfortable overnight temperature may be 16°C. You go to bed at 11pm. Set your heating to 16°C at 8pm. Doing this allows your heat pump to work efficiently and you gain maximum benefit from it, whilst keeping the cost of running it down.
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How do I maintain my heat pump?As with gas boilers, your heat pump will need to be serviced annually to maintain the warranty and ensure it continues to run efficiently. Heat pumps generally cost less to maintain compared to gas boilers. It is worth speaking to your energy provider to see if they have a service plan.
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Who do I contact if I come across any issues with my new system?If you find any issues with your new system, your first point of call will be to speak with the installers who fitted your system. They will be able to guide you through any issues you may be experiencing. Some installers have support blogs on their website which can offer troubleshooting advice, so it is always worth exploring your installers webpage.
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Who do I contact if I come across any issues with my new system?If you find any issues with your new system, your first point of call will be to speak with the installers who fitted your system. They will be able to guide you through any issues you may be experiencing.