Air source heat pumps are a new type of low-carbon heating system that transfers heat from the outside air (ambient air) into water which is then used through a HVAC plant to heat your building They are becoming more and more popular in homes / commercial premises / retails premises and some industrial applications due to their energy efficiency and economic benefits.
What is an air source heat pump?
Air source heat pumps (ASHP) transfer heat from the outside ambient air into water using refrigerant reverse cycle technology and a heat exchanger. This is then circulated through radiators, fan coil units, under floor heating or heating coils and the heat is then sent around your building, heating your rooms, offices and generally any space. The heat can also be used to heat your domestic water for hand washing.
Heat pumps are an economic alternative to a gas boiler, running on electricity not gas. They are not only a good way of heating your home, office or any space, they are also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help the UK hit the target for Net Zero.
How does an air source heat pump work?
An air source heat pump follows a four-step process to heat your building:
1. Evaporation
Heat pumps take in heat from the outside air and transfers it into a liquid refrigerant with a very low boiling point. As the liquid warms it turns into a low temperature gas ready to move to the next stage.
2. Compression
The newly formed gas is then passed through a compressor which compresses the refrigerant, increasing the temperature further.
3. Condensation
The warm gas then goes through a heat exchanger and transfers its heat to a cold water circuit. This causes the cold water circuit to heat up as it absorbs the transferred heat. Once the desired temperature of the water is reached, it can be sent to radiators, fan coils, LPHW heating coils, under floor heating loops or water tanks, ready for use.
4. Expansion
After transferring its heat, the gas returns to liquid state and is then passed through an expansion valve. This valve reduces the pressure and temperature even further allowing for the refrigerant to absorb heat energy once more, beginning the cycle again.
What are the pros and cons of an air source heat pump?
Much like all heating systems, air source heat pumps come with their own list of pros and cons.
Pros:
– Better for the environment than alternative systems – reduces household carbon emissions and can improve your local air quality
– Cheaper to run – although a unit of gas is cheaper than a unit of electricity, generally only about 80% to 90% of any gas unit is fully burned off through a gas boiler or warm air heater. The rest usually goes straight through the heater, up the flue and out to the ambient air. However, with air source heat pumps, for every 1 kW of electrical power consumed you can expect to get 3 kW to 6 kW of heat output, depending on the brand and type.
– Built to last – air source heat pumps can have a longer lifespan than a gas boiler if they are regularly serviced and maintained. However this is dependent on the brand and type of air source heat pump.
– Government grant – if you are looking at replacing your current boiler with an air source heat pump, the government are offering a scheme that allows homeowners to claim up to £7500 to cover the initial costs
– Works all year-round – if your unit is well-maintained, you can expect it to work through all seasons, with some brands working all the way down to -15℃
Cons:
– They can be expensive – air source heat pumps can be more expensive than gas boilers to install, however government support is available
– Not suitable for all housing or buildings – some properties are unable to have heat pumps installed due to external factors such as spacing and access
– Requires good insulation – for an air source heat pump to reach its best efficiency, the properties needs to be well insulated and be able to retain lots of heat
How much are air source heat pumps?
The cost of an air source heat pump installation varies depending on the size of your property, the size of the heat pump, the age of your property and your heat distribution.
The approximate cost of installing an air source heat pump is between £11,000 and £14,000 for a standard home and more for commercial and industrial properties, but remember, this does not include the government grant which can reduce the figure by £7500.
Chillaire are here to help with any queries you may have about air source heat pumps. Our experts have over 30-years experience and are fully qualified and accredited to supply, install and maintain air source heat pump systems.
If you have any questions, our friendly team is happy to help, so please get in touch.
