What is an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)?

In the long and short of it, an air source heat pump is an alternative, more renewable, way to heat your home & your hot water. It will enable you to generate your own renewable heat and could help you save money on your energy bills.

Heat pumps can save you more on your heating bills if you’re replacing an expensive system such as electric storage heaters or oil. However, with an Air Source Heat Pump you have to remember that a well-insulated home is essential – otherwise the heat the pump is curating escapes through poorly insulated walls and roofs.

They are a low-carbon way of heating your home. They absorb heat from a cooler place and use it to increase the temperature inside of your home as well as heating your water for your showers & baths. They look pretty similar to air-conditioning units and if you’re want to get a Heat pump certain calculations will be done to determine the power & size of the heat pump you need – the more heat required, the bigger the heat pump.

Radiant – Air Source Heat Pumps we deal with

Here at Radiant we deal with a certain type of Air Source Heat Pump and these are the Air-to-water heat pumps that take heat from the outside air and feed it into your wet central heating system.

The reason we deal with the Air-to-water heat pumps is because they’re most suitable for larger radiators or water underfloor heating, which we also supply and install. To be most effective they need a large surface area to release the heat which includes the likes of Underfloor Heating, Wall Heating & Ceiling Heating.

Air-to-water heat pumps qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive – a government scheme which could pay homes in England, Scotland and Wales towards the cost of home renewable heating which runs out at the end of March 2021, however the word on the street is that the Government are set to conduct another grant for these renewable machines.

How do Air Source Heat Pumps Work?

An Air Source Heat Pump works a lot like a fridge operating in reverse to heat your home;

• Air is blown over a network of tubes filled with a refrigerant. This warms up the refrigerant, and because of its low boiling point, it turns from a liquid into a gas.
• The gas then passes through a compressor, which increases the pressure. Compression also adds more heat.
• These compressed, hot gases then pass into a heat exchanger. The refrigerant transfers its heat to the cool air or water, making it warm. And this is circulated around your home to provide heating and hot water. Meanwhile, the refrigerant condenses back into a cool liquid and starts the cycle all over again!

Air Source Heat Pump Pros & Cons

Air source heat pumps require little maintenance and can provide heating and hot water, but they aren’t flawless systems. Here are their Pros & Cons:

Pros

• They’re energy efficient – air source heat pumps generate less CO2 than many conventional heating systems.
• Is compatible with the likes of Underfloor Heating systems to help heat your home better.
• Air-to-water pumps qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive payments from the Government.

Cons

• To get a Air Source Heat Pump installed, you will need enough space in your garden for the unit, if you don’t have enough space, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to get one. 
• Electricity is needed to power the pump so they’re not zero-carbon machines.

Thinking of now getting an Air Source Heat Pump to replace your old boiler?

Give us a call on 01400 250572 or email us on info@heating-solutions.biz and discuss with our team whether you can take advantage of these great machines & the government grants.