Air Source Heat Pumps

An air source heat pump can be a good alternative to direct electric heating where no gas mains is available. Air source heat pumps work by absorbing heat from the outside air and can be used with a central heating system with radiators or warm air convectors. Air source heat pumps extract heat from the outside air in a similar principal to the way a fridge extracts heat from its inside and can operate to exterior temperatures as low as -15° C.

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.

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. Heat from the air is absorbed into a fluid which is pumped through a heat exchanger in the heat pump. Low grade heat is then extracted by the refrigeration system and, after passing through the heat pump compressor, is concentrated into a higher temperature useful heat capable of heating water for the heating and hot water circuits of the property.

Benefits of an Air Source Heat Pump

Can lower fuel bills, especially if changing from direct electric heating.

Significantly improve the EPC rating of a property.

May lower the properties notional carbon emissions (depending on the fuel that is being replaced).

No fuel deliveries required.

May be configured to provide space heating and hot water provision.

More convenient to than installing a ground source heat pump, but efficiencies can be lower.The system will pay for itself much more quickly if it's replacing an electricity or coal heating system.

If a air to water system is used then air source heat pumps can perform better with underfloor heating systems or warm air heating than radiator-based systems because of the lower water temperatures required. Underfloor heating can provide greater efficiencies than radiators because the water doesn’t need to be heated to such a high temperature.