Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air which can then be used to heat underfloor heating systems, radiators, warm air systems or water. They work in exactly the same way as a refrigerator which extracts heat from inside and transfers it out.

There are two parts to the heat pump, the external unit which extracts the heat from the air and an internal unit which transfers the extracted heat into the air or water in your home. Electrical energy is used to concentrate the heat from lots of outside air into the relatively small volume of your house’s air and water.

The Energy Saving Trust website presents a guide to possible savings in money and carbon. 

We are MCS approved for air source heat pump installations so an installation by us will entitle the user to claim the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments providing the building meets the minimum requirements.

Benefits of Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps could lower your fuel bills and reduce your homes carbon emissions, especially if you are replacing conventional electric heating. In the British climate you can expect them to yield on average more than 2 units of heat energy for every 1 unit of electrical energy put into them. 

How well do they work?

Properly designed and installed, an Air source heat pump heating system will deliver savings over electricity, oil or coal heating systems. Gas is currently a more economical heating system to install but spiralling prices and subsidies like the Renewable Heat incentive are closing that gap rapidly. For an independant guide to heat pumps look at the Energy Saving Trust website.

Best Scenario for a heat pump:

  • A well-insulated and draught-proofed house
  • A house not on "gas grid", eg one using electric, oil or bottle gas heating 
  • Feeding a good thermal store cylinder to keep a reservoir of the heat they capture.
  • Fed by Photovoltaic panels to supply the electricity they use from a renewable source.
  • Accompanied by other carbon-friendly heat sources such as Solar Thermal or biomass.