In recent times, there are so many alternatives and demand for alternatives is increasing, with the UK becoming less reliant on burning dirty oil and gas. Reports today show that the amount of electricity derived from renewable resources is constantly on the rising. However, heat pumps are still a little-known solution as an alternative to the traditional heating system. People frequently question how exactly there can be enough heat stored in the air or in the ground to heat an entire house, and they’re concerned of the amount of savings there are to be had. That’s why we’ve collated some information in this guide to heat pumps leaving no question unanswered.
The term Heat Pump refers to a few technologies that incorporate HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) devices that offer heat energy that is transferred from a source of heat or warmth, to a destination called a heat sink, effectively ‘pumping‘ warmth from one place to another. Heat pumps transfer thermal energy in the opposite direction of spontaneous heat flow by absorbing heat from a cold space and releasing it to a warmer space. The primary function in the space is heating through radiators, underfloor heating systems, or warm air convectors, which can also be used to heat water for use in your home or business. Most heating pumps have great climate control capabilities and can be used to provide space cooling by simply reversing the process of space heating. In lots of ways, a heat pump is structurally the same as conventional air conditioners. It’s essentially an air conditioner that can reverse itself.
An air source heat pump for example, will remove heat from air outside your property in the same way a fridge extracts heat from its inside and a ground source heat pump functions similarly, but it functions by taking the residual warmth from the soil or a water body outside your property and moves it inside. Despite air source heat pumps becoming less efficient the cooler it is outside, they are able to be capable of operating sufficiently in temperatures of -15 C, which is 99.99% of the year in the UK. They have the great energy efficiency ratings and although they do have some impact on the environment (as they require electricity to run), they do not combust fuels directly, so in most cases they provide a fantastic way of lowering your carbon footprint.
How do they work?
A heat pump is a crucial part of a heating and cooling systems.To put it bluntly, a heat pump is a device that uses a small amount of energy to transport heat from one location to another. It is an incredibly energy practical heating method. Source heat pumps work typically by pulling heat out of the air or ground to heat space within a property but they can be reversed to cool a property as well. The higher the input temperature from the ground, the lesser the amount of work needed from the heat pump, the higher the coefficient of performance and the lower the operating fees will cost. A heat pump doesn’t necessarily burn fuel, it simply removes heat from one place to another. An air source heat pump for example will take heat from the air outside and pump it inside through refrigerant filled coils, very similar to the ones they used on the back of the fridge. Because of advancements in modern technology this process can sufficiently warm your house even in outside temperatures of -15C, with total interior climate control.
Benefits of using heat pumps
There are plenty of benefits, financial as well as environmental, associated with heat pump installations which are the main reason in which heat pump systems have become so popular particularly over the last 10 years. There has been plenty of news and information about the benefits of heat pump systems out there. Air source and ground source heat pumps are a prime source of renewable energy because they utilise renewable heat from the environment. Some of the key reasons why people buy heating pumps are; they have increased efficiency ratings, provide space and water heating as well as space cooling, they can substantially lower your energy bills, they can also substantially lower your carbon footprint and improve your property’s air quality. It is certainly worth mentioning here that solar PV systems make the perfect renewable partner for heat pumps. Heat pumps can use the electricity produced by the solar panels from sunlight and make up to five times as much energy as they consume.
Maintenance and warranties
When a heat pump is properly installed, it should utilise very little maintenance tasks and be expected to last for at least 20-30 years. The system will likely need a yearly check-up which can be carried out by the systems owner or by a qualified engineer. If anything does happen to go wrong with your heat pump system it can lose efficiency fast but this underperformance will very likely be highly noticeable. It’s a good idea to do some research into which units have the favourable maintenance requirements. Many heating pumps come with a 5-10 year warranty on parts and labour as standard so anything less and start making enquiries.
Are heat pumps worth investing in?
If you currently use oil, electricity, liquid gas or solid fuels to warm up your home, an air or ground source heat pump might be the best way of reducing your carbon footprint or saving money on energy bills, particularly cost-effective with the renewable heat incentive payments which came into effect in 2014. Prior to purchasing an air or ground source heat pump system make sure that your house is properly insulated and that you have researched the proposed unit’s suitability to a larger extent.
Westcott Refrigeration - We Offer Heat Pump Installation
One of the most reliable and energy-efficient ways to control the temperature within your premises is to install an air source heat pump. Even in colder climates, top of the range ASHP heating systems can convert cool air into heat energy to warm up your building and make the environment more comfortable for you, your family or your employees. In fact, heat pump systems can be up to four times more efficient than traditional alternatives, such as radiators or boilers. If you’re seeking a heat pump installation, then you needn’t look further than Westcott Air Conditioning. We supply only the highest-quality ASHP heating equipment from the popular Mitsubishi range, chosen by our heat pump installers because of its energy efficiency and quiet operation.
To improve the air quality within your home or business building, the heat pumps use Nano Platinum filters to collect and remove dust from the air. You can even set your preferred temperature with just the push of a button with the I-Save mode models. For more information about the impressive Mitsubishi range, get in touch with us at Westcott Air Conditioning. To find out more about the services we offer, please visit our website or get in touch.