Heat pumps can transform lives. Not only can they provide both heating and cooling in one, eco-friendly machine; but they’re suitable for all climates (provided that electricity comes from clean sources).
However, when considering installing one in your home there are a few considerations you must bear in mind. These include:
Cost
Costs associated with both ground and air source heat pumps depend on their size and type, as well as which installer you opt for to ensure proper installation of your heating system. An accredited installer is necessary in order to guarantee safe installation of your heat pump system.
WWF Scotland warns of energy and climate campaigners warning of how failing to accelerate heat pump installations will fall short of meeting its goal to decarbonise heating in homes, which accounts for 4th highest greenhouse gas emissions globally.
Air source heat pumps use air source heat pumps to draw in heat from outside, amplify it and distribute it within buildings through a ‘wet’ central heating system. They can also be installed into existing housing estates; in this instance they’ll be utilized at a high rise block of flats in Springburn in Glasgow where Tizo Seleman and Saada Mwalimu should see their heating bills decrease thanks to this installation by Home Group Scotland housing association as part of their efforts to combat fuel poverty among their tenants.
Energy Efficiency
As energy costs and fuel poverty remain a pressing problem for many homeowners, alternative heating solutions must be sought out. One such alternative solution is using an air source heat pump as it offers an eco-friendly means of keeping homes warm using renewable energy sources like the sun’s energy; taking heat energy produced naturally in the air (even at zero degrees Celsius!) and amplifying it so it can be used by your home’s heating and hot water systems.
Before installing a heat pump in your home or office, it is crucial that sufficient insulation levels exist. Furthermore, upgrading existing radiator systems and underfloor heating to operate under its lower supply temperature would be recommended.
These three 1960s tenement blocks in Glasgow housing association project are already undergoing major energy efficiency upgrades to produce a blueprint for modernizing other inner-city properties without losing their character. Unfortunately, although renewable systems can compete on price with electricity, fossil-fuel gas remains significantly less costly due to plentiful fracking supplies.
Installation
Heat pumps can be an efficient method of home heating, but they require regular upkeep. You should arrange to have it professionally inspected every three to five years to make sure it works optimally. This process should be straightforward if performed by experienced professionals.
UK climate makes the UK ideal for air source heat pumps (ASHPs). Heat energy extracted from outside air by refrigeration cycles and then transferred back in through ducts is transferred back into our homes through REHAU RAUTHERMEX pipes installed for community wide ASHP installations in high rise blocks of social housing in Glasgow.
England and Wales residents can apply for a PS5,000 grant from the government as part of its plan to achieve net-zero carbon homes by 2028. Furthermore, Warmer Homes Scotland provides an interest-free loan that supports upfront costs associated with energy efficiency improvements such as air source heat pumps (ASHPs).
Maintenance
Heat pumps can be an ideal upgrade in many homes as they provide a quieter, more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly alternative to boilers. Plus, their lower emissions mean reduced carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas production; something fuel prices continue to skyrocket – another great way of saving on heating costs!
Air source heat pumps capture and magnify heat from outside air, even in extreme cold climates, making them more energy-efficient than gas boilers, which have to work harder in these circumstances to provide comforting warmth to homes.
One can choose from whole-home systems designed to replace central AC units to ductless mini-splits for areas without existing forced-air systems, like new additions or attics, without access to central air conditioning. Each system consists of an outdoor compressor connected by refrigeration tubing and electrical wires with one or more indoor units connected via refrigeration tubing and wires – complete with refrigeration tubing to supply cooling for these cooling areas.
Heat pump installations should always be performed by an accredited installer, as improper installation could damage equipment and result in higher electric bills. Many MCS-accredited installers offer warranties on their installations.
