Air Source Heat Pumps

What is a Heat Pump?

There are two types of heat pump:

• Air source heat pumps (ASHP)
• Ground source heat pumps (GSHP)

Both technologies work broadly in the same way: they take ambient heat from the air or ground and convert it into heating energy for your radiators or hot water system.

For every unit (kWh) of grid electricity that goes into your heat pump, you get roughly 3 units of energy out. This is known as the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance, or SCOP. This is the magic of heat pumps.

An air source heat pump, for example, will extract the latent heat from the air outside of your house and, using just 1 kWh of grid electricity, convert that heat into typically 3 units of energy for your radiators or hot water.

The better your home is insulated, the higher the coefficient of performance you obtain, resulting in more heating energy.

Advantages of Air Source Heat Pumps

While both ground source and air source heat pump systems are very effective methods of heating your home and water in an environmentally friendly way – reducing reliance on gas, oil or LPG – air source heating technology is much cheaper and easier to install than ground source. The main benefits are:

• Reduce heating costs by up to 30%
• Receive quarterly payments for 7 years via the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme
• Cheapest and simplest way of heating your home
• Quick and safe installation process
• Minimal maintenance
• Help the environment by not burning gas and oil

Watch the following video to discover exactly how air source heat pumps work, and see also our example below the video showing typical savings and RHI payments.

Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, or ‘Domestic RHI’, is a government-backed financial incentive from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to encourage the use of renewable heating. Administered by Ofgem, its main goal is to reduce carbon emissions and help the UK meet its renewable energy targets. Customers who sign up to the scheme, and keep to its rules, receive payments every quarter for 7 years.

This Ofgem RHI scheme has been designed to offset the cost of both the air source heat pump itself and installation. Effectively, you pay for the system upfront and then Ofgem pays you back over 7 years. Ofgem quarterly payments won’t always offset the entire cost of the project, but we will make it clear in our proposal what the current rates are and provide a payback forecast, including energy savings and inflation. The Domestic RHI is only paid on ‘air-to-water’ heat pumps, the kind we install.

Recommended Manufacturers

Air source heat pumps are now a mature technology and all the major heating manufacturers have a full range of pumps to suit a variety of situations. Below are examples of three popular systems we install.

Mitsubishi Ecodan

The range of Ecodan air source heat pumps are self-contained units and only require water and electric connections. They are low maintenance, quiet to run and can be discreetly placed outside homes. They are also suitable for small retail outlets and commercial buildings.

• Ecodan R32 Ultra Quiet PUZ Monobloc Air Source Heat Pump

The innovative, stylish, single-fan outdoor monobloc air source heat pump unit utilises advanced technologies and R32 refrigerant to deliver improved efficiencies.

Designed to satisfy domestic premises permitted development standards (MCS020), the market-leading low noise levels eliminate the need for planning permission and maximise installation options.

Sizes available: 6 kW, 8.5 kW, 11.2 kW

Samsung EHS (Generation 6)

Samsung’s Air to Water Heating Systems use efficient heat pump technology to deliver supreme comfort and low operating costs. They provide various combinations of air and water solutions, so you can satisfy your specific climate needs year-round.

• Samsung EHS Generation 6

The Samsung EHS Generation 6 is the latest version of Samsung’s range of MCS-accredited air source heat pumps.

Daikin Altherma

Daikin’s Altherma air-to-water low temperature heat pumps are the optimal choice for homes of all types, including new homes or builds. When combined with underfloor heating or low temperature radiators, the configuration requires less energy to heat your home.

• Daikin Altherma

Powered by 75% energy extracted from the air and 25% electricity, Daikin’s air-to-water low temperature pumps heat your home with A+++ energy efficiency.

You can also combine your heat pump with solar support to increase your savings on hot water production.