A continuation on Air Source Heat Pumps

This is an extension from Friday’s blog which can be found here. Since the blog did well I thought I should continue my knowledge on Air Source Heat Pumps, simple supply and demand! Also if anyone has any more questions on Air source heat pumps then don’t be afraid to comment below and I will endeavour to get back to you with an answer, thank you my dear Sirs and Madams!

Installing an air source heat pump?

ASHPs look similar to air-conditioning units and are less disruptive to install than ground source heat pumps, as they do not require any digging in your garden so don’t fret, your Geraniums are safe!

 
An ASHP works a bit like a refrigerator in reverse. The process consists of an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser. It absorbs heat from the outside air and the heat pump compressor then increases the temperature of that heat further to create useful heat for your home

There are two main types of Air Source Heat Pumps

  1. Air-to-water systems take heat from the outside air and feed it into your wet central heating system. As the heat produced is cooler than that from a conventional boiler, you may need to install larger radiators or underfloor heating in your home to make the most of it.
  2. Air-to-air systems take heat from the outside air and feed it into your home through fans. This type of system cannot produce hot water.

In the summer, the ASHP can be operated in reverse, like an air-conditioning unit, to provide cool air for your home which is a helpful plus if I do say so myself.

The Pros and Cons:

Pros of air source heat pumps

  • Air source heat pumps produce less CO2 than conventional heating systems. Saving the environment and your peace of mind
  • They are cheaper than ground source heat pumps and easier to install, particularly for retrofit
  • ASHPs can provide heating AND hot water.
  • They require next to no maintenance.
  • They can be used for air conditioning in the summer.
  • You need to use electricity to power the pump which circulates the liquid in the outside loop but, for every unit of electricity used by the pump, you get between two and three units of heat – making this an efficient way to heat a building.
  • Cheaper Economy 7 electricity tariffs can be used to lower the cost of electricity to power the heat pump and special heat pump tariffs may be available from some electricity suppliers – alternatively consider solar photovoltaic panels or a wind turbine (if you are in a suitable area) for a greener source of electricity.

Cons of air source heat pumps

  • Their efficiency can be lower than ground source heat pumps.
  • You’ll need enough space in your garden for the external condenser unit (comparable in size to an air-conditioning unit). Condenser units can be noisy and also blow out colder air to the immediate environment.
  • You still need to use electricity to drive the pump, so an air source heat pump can’t be considered completely zero-carbon unless this is provided by a renewable source, such as solar power or a wind  turbine.


How green are air source heat pumps?

An air source heat pump system can help to lower your carbon footprint as it uses a renewable, natural source of heat – air. The amount of CO2 you’ll save depends on the fuel you are replacing. For example, it will be higher if you are replacing electric heating than natural gas.
A heat pump also requires a supplementary source of power, usually electricity, to power the heat pump, so there will still be some resulting CO2 emissions. Overall though its one carbon footprint step forward (or backward?) to making your home a greener friendlier place

 
 
 
 
I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!