Introduction
If you click on this article, you will likely consider shifting from traditional to renewable heating. There may be many reasons to consider this, including the UK government’s phasing out of boiler installations by 2035. You will be glad to know that not only are air-source heat pumps more efficient than gas heating, but the government is also supporting people who want to adopt them. The UK government has rolled out provisions like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which allows households to claim up to £7500 on heat pump installation.
But why this effort to encourage people to use this new technology? What is all the fuss around air-source heat pumps, and why go through the trouble of replacing your old gas boilers? Continue reading to find out everything about this incredible technology!
What is an Air Source Heat Pump?
Air source heat pumps work on the same principle as an air conditioner: they take heat from a source and pump it to a destination. However, they do it in the opposite direction, meaning they take heat from the outside air and use it to heat your home. Unlike traditional heating methods like gas or oil boilers, they are powered by electricity. As they do not depend on fossil fuels, they generate much lesser carbon emissions while providing higher efficiency and energy savings.
Air source heat pumps distribute heat through the house by vents, ducts, radiators, or underfloor pipes. They also act as water heaters and can provide warm water up to 90 degrees Celsius. For every 1kWh of electrical energy consumed, air source heat pumps can generate 4kWh of heat energy, making them immensely energy-efficient. What’s more, heat pumps have an average lifespan of more than 20 years, which is significantly more than gas boilers. All of this means that over a long period of time, you will save much more money with heat pumps than with traditional heating systems.
The Working Principle of Air Source Heat Pumps
An air source heat pump works exactly like an air conditioner. Both devices have the same parts, but the direction of heating differs. While an air conditioner cools the inside and heats the outside, a heat pump heats the inside while cooling the outside.
Air source heat pumps are split have two units: one unit sits inside the house while the other is situated outside. Heat is transferred between these components using a refrigerant liquid. The refrigerant undergoes cooling and heating cycles that convert it into liquid or gas.
When the refrigerant liquid comes in contact with the heat radiator outside, it boils into a gaseous state. The electric pump compresses this gas and transfers it to the internal unit that contains the condenser. The condenser converts the gas into liquid, releasing the heat into the interior using ducts, fans, or water. The liquid refrigerant is now ready to travel back to the outside, and the cycle repeats.
Five Advantages of Air Source Heat Pumps
Renewable Energy
Heat pumps run on electricity, a renewable energy source that is cleaner than oil or gas. Air-source heat pumps interfaced with solar panels lead to additional energy savings. This sector is seeing tremendous growth and innovation. Scientists from Imperial College London have devised a solar-powered heat pump that can supply space and water heating for domestic establishments. Their solution can reduce the energy consumption of households by up to 39%!
Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions
As of 2022, fossil fuels like oil and gas contributed to more than 55% of the UK’s energy consumption. One of the major reasons that the UK government is encouraging its people to opt for heat pumps is to reduce carbon emissions. Gas heaters consume more than 1,800 kg of carbon dioxide annually, while oil boilers use up a whopping 2,900 kg! Switching to air-source heat pumps leads to more than 70% carbon savings per household. Heat pumps will mean less pollution and more energy savings on a country-wide scale.
Air Pumps can Heat and Cool
Air pumps take heat from outside your home and distribute it inside. However, they can also do the opposite – they can cool your home by removing heat from the inside. The inter-operability of heat pumps makes them highly versatile. It makes them highly suitable for homes on the south coast that experience heat during the summer months. Turn on the cooling mode, and you have a house-wide air conditioner. In cold months, you can turn on the heating mode.
Government Subsidies and Incentives
The initiatives taken by the UK government show that they are serious about heat pump adoption. Installing air-source heat pumps is now easier and cheaper than ever before. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is one such provision. It covers up to £7,500 of the installation fees of a heat pump or biomass boiler when you switch from a gas/oil boiler. Despite this substantial waiver, not many people are aware of this. As per the National Home Energy Survey, 73% of UK households did not know about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
While BUS applies in the UK and Wales, the ECO4 scheme delivers financial aid to low-income houses in England, Scotland, and Wales. Another government benefit is the 0% VAT on clean energy. As per this provision, the government will waive £750 on heat pump installation until March 2027.
In addition, consumers can benefit from other subsidies on renewable energy sources. For example, if you use a solar panel for your heat pump, you can apply for the ECO4 or Home Upgrade Grant to receive funding assistance. There has never been a better time to switch to heat pumps!
Economic Reasons
Residential consumers are leading the adoption of heat pumps. According to a report by the Office for National Statistics in 2022, 83% of adults have described an increase in daily expenditure. Almost 80% of the UK’s households use gas heating during the winter. Under these economic conditions, it is no surprise that more people are turning to heat pumps. An air source heat pump can conserve £1,300 more than an outdated electric heater. Savings are even more significant for homeowners who switched from LPG boilers, with up to £1,400 remaining in their pockets!
Five Disadvantages of Air Source Heat Pumps
High Initial Cost
Installing air source heat pumps can be costly, as prices range from £3,000 to £10,000. In addition, heat pumps require proper insulation and pipework to operate. While these renovations can be costly, government grants can make it exceptionally cheaper. Subsidies are available not only for heat pumps but also for loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.
Expensive Operating Cost
Electricity costs three times as much as gas – does this make heat pumps three times more expensive than gas boilers? No, because air source heat pumps have 300% efficiency, while gas boilers have 94% efficiency. The cost of running heat pumps is 30% more than traditional boilers, but they have a longer lifespan and are safer.
Noise Problem
While air source heat pumps are highly efficient, they are not entirely silent. On average, a unit may create 60 decibels of noise, which can cause moderate inconvenience.
Requires appropriate outdoor space
Heat pumps are split units, with one component sitting outside the walls of your house. They can measure up to 1 meter in height and 1.5 meters in length. The fan requires substantial open space to pull air, which might not be available in all cases. However, recent government guidelines allow heat pumps to be placed along neighborhood limits, giving you more options to work with.
Requires additional outdoor infrastructure
Air-source heat pumps require efficient piping, ductwork, and insulation to operate effectively. Since water is circulated at a lower temperature than traditional boilers, you might also need to renovate your outdoor water storage tank.
So, is an air source heat pump suitable for you?
Are you interested in investing in an air source heat pump but not sure it’s right for you? Keep in mind the following:
- Your home needs insulation for proper energy consumption and operation. You may be required to show this before getting a government grant.
- Your radiators and underfloor heating need to cover a greater surface area since air pumps work with lower temperatures.
- Heat pumps require external space. However, this does not need to be large. A small patio, balcony, or verandah will do.
- Heat pumps require large water storage tanks. You may need to invest in a 30–40-liter tank.
Heat pumps have become more versatile and compact, making them an ideal choice for domestic use. If you are on the fence, consider this: gas boilers in homes produce twice the carbon emissions of all the power plants in the UK combined. Air-source heat pumps will be crucial in achieving net zero carbon emissions by the turn of the century.
Purchase Air Source Heat Pumps
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Our factory is spread over 500,000 square meters in Guangzhou City, China, where we manufacture heat pumps for the residential and commercial sectors. We specialize in air pumps for space heating and cooling, water heating, and swimming pool heating.
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