Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) absorb heat from the outside air to heat your home and hot water. They can still extract heat when air temperatures are as low as -15°C.
Air source heat pumps need electricity to run, but because they are extracting renewable heat from the environment, the heat output is greater than the electricity input. This makes them an energy efficient method of heating your home.
If you have large garden space outside, you could consider a ground source heat pump. Despite the greater upfront cost of installing a ground source heat pump, this type of pump is more efficient when it comes to heating your home, which results in higher fuel savings and lower energy bills.
How do air source heat pumps work?
Heat from the air is absorbed at low temperature into a fluid. This fluid passes through a compressor, increasing the temperature, and transfers that higher temperature heat to the heating and hot water circuits of the house.
There are two main types of ASHP: air-to-water and air-to-air. Choosing an air-to-water or an air-to-air system will determine the type of heat distribution system you need.
Type of heat pump?
At Walker Renewables, we install Air to water heat pumps. These are eligible for grants and other funding.
Please see grant and funding information tab.
Air-to-water heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air and transfer the heat to water.
An air-to-water system distributes heat via your wet central heating system. Heat pumps work much more efficiently at a lower temperature than a standard boiler system would. This makes them more suitable for underfloor heating systems or larger radiators, which give out heat at lower temperatures over longer periods of time.
Air-to-water heat pumps are the most common model in the UK.
Benefits of air source heat pumps?
It could lower your fuel bills, especially if you replace conventional electric heating
It could provide you with an income through the UK government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (only applies to air-to-water heat pumps)
It could lower home carbon emissions
There are no fuel deliveries needed
It can heat your home as well as your water
There is minimal maintenance required
It can be easier to install than a ground source heat pump
In winter, it may need to be on constantly to heat your home efficiently, but radiators won't feel as hot to the touch as with a gas or oil boiler.