All things heat pumps

What are heat pumps exactly, how do they work? Is what you’ve heard about heat pumps true? this is your one stop
shop about all things air source heat pumps.

What is a heat pump?

Heat pumps work very similarly to traditional air conditioners. Heat energy is pumped from one location to another, how this transference occurs can vary, and there are typically two types of Heat Pump: Air Source, and Water Source.

The type of Heat Pump that’s right for you varies on the application but as the name implies an Air source heat pumps gathers latent heat energy from the outside air, and water source heat pump do so from a running water supply. While you might not expect a typically cold air or water supply to be able to heat your home

The Magic of Air Source Heat Pumps

Being able to extract heat energy from the atmosphere at temperatures below Zero, sounds like science fiction, but is indeed science fact.

With the latest technology in environmentally friendly refrigerants such as R32, Heat Pumps can extract air from even the coldest of regions with lower environmental impact than ever.

When the R32 refrigerant passes through an expansion valve, the pressure of the gas is reduced.  This reduction in pressure also radically reduces its temperature and can reach temperatures as low as -70C. When this sub-zero gas is exposed to ambient air temperatures even as cold as -25C, there is still a noticeable warming effect to the refrigerant.

The colder a Heat Pump can manipulate the refrigerant, combined with how quickly the warmer outside air can heat it back up again, is the basis for Heat Pump efficiency. As the demand for central heating increases over the winter months, the efficiency of the system will also reduce as it takes more outside air to warm the refrigerant.

Can a heat pump save me money?

A woman looking out of the window in her home cooled by a Daikin heat pump system  A couple enjoying the sun in their garden next to a Daikin heat pump condenser

Whilst gas and oil options remain a part of the UK Government’s current clean growth strategy, the future is clear that a rapid shift away from fossil fuels is required to meet ever tightening climate targets. During this transition period the prices for carbon-based fuels are likely to continually rise with potentials savings increasing over time.

When replacing some of the older G-Rated LPG boilers, a Heat Pump could save as much as £1,300 according to ‘Which?’ while radically reducing your home’s carbon footprint.

Source: Which?: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/ground-and-air-source-heat-pumps/article/air-source-heat-pumps-explained-al5MC4f773Zq - June 2021

Figures above show potential annual savings of installing a standard air source heat pump in an average sized, four-bedroom detached home compared with the current heating systems stated. Figures courtesy of Energy Saving Trust website.

What system is right for me?
An engineer testing and verifying a Daikin Heat pump condenser

Whilst heat pumps can operate all year round, their peak efficiency can only be achieved with a properly designed solution. Two identical installations on the same street or identical houses in two parts of the country can yield radically different levels of efficiency which can severely affect your running costs.

Our expert Heat Loss Calculations will ensure that everything from the shape of your windows to the thickness of your walls, is accounted for to provide year-round peace of mind that both financial and environmental costs of your comfort are as low as possible. To discuss your heating needs, or book a HeatLoss Calculation, contact one of our Renewable Energy Specialists today, or see our Frequently Asked Questions Below:

Frequently Asked Questions
Are heat pumps loud?

All our Daikin supplied heat pumps can operate at less than 40dB which is comparable to the ambient sound of a quiet library. This low noise output means that the majority of our installations can bypass the need for planning permission and can be installed under ‘Permitted Development'.

Do I need Planning Permission?

The installation of an Air Source Heat Pump in a domestic setting is considered to be a permitted development, bypassing the need for traditional planning permission providing the installation conforms to a set standard laid out by the ‘Microgeneration Certification Scheme’.

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)

MCS is a standards organisation that certifies low-carbon renewable heating systems and installations. Installers that are MCS accredited will not only be able to provide the MCS certification required when claiming the latest Government grants but may also be able to apply for the grants on your behalf, deducting the grant from the upfront cost of the installation.

What is GWP (Global Warming Potential)?

Global Warming Potential is the measurement of heat absorbed by a greenhouse gas when in the atmosphere. The GWP of a particular gas type provides a comparative measurement for its potential to contribute to Global Warming. All our Daikin Heat Pumps use the latest ‘Bluevolution R32’ specifically designed for use in Domestic heat Pumps with the lowest available GWP.

What is SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance)?

SCOP is a year-round measurement of the realistic energy efficiency and environmental impact of a given system that accounts for fluctuations in seasonal temperatures. Practically, a higher SCOP value denotes more heat energy being produced, than electricity consumed. For example, a system that delivers 4,000 watts of heating energy, whilst consuming 1,000 watts of electricity would have a value of 4.0 and awarded an A* rating.

RECC

The Renewable Energy Consumer Code sets the high consumer protection standards for businesses who provide renewable energy generation systems to domestic consumers.

DRHI

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (Domestic RHI) is a government financial incentive to promote the installation and use of renewable energy heating systems. The DRHI will close to new applicants on the 31st of March 2022, please see Clean Heat Grant and Boiler Upgrade Scheme for the latest incentives.

Clean Heat Grant

The Clean Heat Grant, also known as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, is a government-run scheme that aims to help existing domestic premises transition to low carbon heating systems. The scheme will come into effect from April 2022 and is expected to replace the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) when it ends in March 2022. This scheme includes grants of up to £5,000 for the installation of an Air Source Heat Pump. The grant has a fixed funding limit and is expected to operate on a first come first serve basis.

Can I perform my own Heat Loss Calculations?

An extensive and accurate Heat Loss Calculation is the foundation of a well-designed and commissioned system and are priced into all of our Heat Pump installations.

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