Air Source Heat Pumps
What are Air Source Heat Pumps?
Heat your home with energy absorbed from the air around you, even when temperatures are as low as -15C.
Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air. This is usually used to heat radiators, underfloor heating systems, or warm air convectors and hot water in your home.
Air to Water Heat Pumps distribute heat through the wet central heating system. As they work at much lower temperatures than a conventional biler, air to water heat pumps work well with underfloor heating and properly sized radiators.
Air to Air Heat Pumps circulate using fans, although they do not provide hot water. Air to air heat pumps are ideal for heating and cooling in extensions and conservatories. Modern air to air heat pumps can help people who have respiratory issues such as asthma due to the circulation of fresh air.
How do Air Source Heat Pumps work?
Heat from the air is absorbed at low temperature into a fluid. This fluid then passes through a compressor, increases in temperature, and gives off higher temperature heat to the heating and hot water circuits of the house. There are two main types of air source heat pump system:
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. So they are more suitable for underfloor heating systems or larger radiators, which give out heat at lower temperatures over longer periods of time.
An air-to-air system produces warm air which is circulated by fans to heat your home. They are unlikely to provide you with hot water as well.
Why choose Air Source Heat Pumps?
Can lower fuel bills, especially if you are using conventional electric heating.
Can reduce your carbon footprint: heat pumps can lower your home’s carbon emissions, depending on which fuel you are replacing.
No fuel deliveries required.
Can provide space heating and hot water.
It’s often classed as a ‘fit and forget’ technology because it needs little maintenance.
Can be easier to install than a ground source heat pump, but efficiencies can be lower.
This information has been taken from the Energy Saving Trust website. For more information please click here.
