Question 1

How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost?

Accepted Answer

Although all heat pumps are likely to be more expensive to install than a traditional gas boiler or simple electric heating, an entry level air source heat pump could cost as little as £6,000 fully installed. Avoiding cheap products and installers should be avoided; an investment of this magnitude should last a long time. A properly installed system should last for twenty years, but there have been numerous horror stories where either the equipment was unreliable or the installers were inexperienced.

The cost of a ground source heat pump will be higher because the loops will have to be dug into trenches or laid in a deep borehole. Boreholes are the most expensive option and are usually only used when horizontally laid ground loops are not possible. They can be up to 150m deep but are more commonly 15m to 50m deep. Ground source heat pump installation costs range from £1,500 to £2,000 per kw of a horizontal system, with boreholes being bespoke.

Question 2

Is a heat pump right for me?

Accepted Answer

This is entirely dependent on the property and your usage; as previously stated, heat pumps are best suited to newer or well-insulated homes. Many existing homes in England are unsuitable without significant insulation upgrades; many companies will argue that a heat pump is always better for the environment or your wallet, but this is simply not the case. A heat pump can be an excellent addition to a modern or relatively efficient home; if you want to find out if your home would benefit, please contact one of our engineers for a no-obligation survey and estimate.

Question 3

Do Heat Pumps Work At Low Temperatures?

Accepted Answer

Most heat pumps work at -20°C. When you take science into account, there is energy everywhere, even at −273.15°C. As air temperature drops, so does the energy a heat pump can produce. We calculate at an appropriate design temperature (e.g., -1.8°C in the south of England) to ensure your heat pump has enough power to keep you warm.

Question 4

What's The Difference Between Air Source Heat Pumps and Ground Source Heat Pumps?

Accepted Answer

Ground-source and air-source heat pumps are the most popular. As their names suggest, each use distinct energy sources yet operate similarly. Other categories like water source are rarer. The property's capacity determines air source vs. ground source heat pumps. If your property requires less than 16.5kW to heat, an air source heat pump is usually the best and most cost-effective solution. Ground source heat pumps are worth considering if your property needs more than 16.5kW to heat. Of course, there are exceptions, and all properties are analysed individually to determine the optimum technology.

Question 5

Are Heat Pumps Good For The Environment?

Accepted Answer

One of the most exciting aspects of heat pumps is that they offer an environmentally friendly way to heat your home. The following are the main reasons why we believe they are an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint. Reduced electricity consumption: Heat pumps have very high efficiencies of around 400 percent, which means that for every unit of electricity used, four units of thermal energy are created. Conventional electric heaters are at best 100% efficient, so you'll need 75% less electricity to heat your home — electricity that may have come from power plants that burn fossil fuels. Emission-free process: The beauty of the heat pump is that no harmful emissions are produced locally during the process. Refrigerant Fluid: Concerns were raised a few years ago about the environmental impact of R404a, the refrigerant fluid used in heat pumps. If this refrigerant fluid leaked, the hydrofluorocarbons released would contribute 100 times more to global warming than carbon dioxide. Fortunately, there are now several alternatives with much lower or even no Global Warming Potential (GWP).

Question 6

What is the ideal property for a heat pump?

Accepted Answer

A heat pump can technically be installed in the majority of UK homes, but not all of them will run efficiently. To get the most out of your heat pump, you'll need a property that has the following features: Proper insulation — the Ground Source Heat Pump Association states that although there's no minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating to qualify for having heat pumps installed, better insulation means better performance. Underfloor heating or large radiators — as a general rule, these will be two-and-a-half times larger than normal radiators to provide the same heat output. Exterior space for the heat pump — a garden, patio, or spacious balcony will do. Interior space for the hot water cylinder — a typical domestic household will have a 35 to 45-litre cylinder.

Question 7

Do I need to change my radiators for a heat pump?

Accepted Answer

When it comes to heat pumps, the most important factor is radiator sizing, especially on older retrofits. It not only ensures that your heat pump works, but it is the single most important factor in how well it works. Radiator sizing for boilers is fairly straightforward; the output of radiators is stated in the catalogue but assumes they'll be running at around 70°C. Heat pumps have a slight complication in that they are more efficient at lower temperatures and can have limited flow temperatures. The maximum temperature that heat pump-powered radiators should be run at is 50°C, but the lower the better. The actual process to determine the correct sizing is quite complex — it requires an in-depth room by room heat loss analysis, followed by conversion factors to determine the correct radiator sizes for your property.

Question 8

What is the optimum air source water temperature?

Accepted Answer

Heat pumps are more efficient at lower flow temperatures. The maximum temperature that heat pump-powered radiators should be run at is 50°C, but the lower the better. To determine the optimum flow temperature for your property, a full room by room heat loss analysis is required — this is something our engineers carry out as standard before every installation.

Question 9

How much space will I need?

Accepted Answer

Due to its external unit, an air source heat pump is situated outside but in close proximity to your property. The typical size of an air source heat pump is approximately 1.1m x 0.45m — roughly the same as two wheelie bins placed side by side. Ground source heat pumps require a certain amount of land and either a borehole or ground array system. Water source heat pumps require a nearby lake, river, stream, well, or borehole.

Question 10

What are the maintenance requirements?

Accepted Answer

Similar to a regular boiler, heat pumps require yearly maintenance to preserve their efficiency and longevity.

Question 11

Do I need planning permission?

Accepted Answer

The majority of heat pump installations don't require further planning permission as they fall within Permitted Development rights. You might need to apply for planning approval if you reside in a conservation area, a listed building, or if you require a larger heat pump. If we believe this will be the case for your home, we will notify you.

Question 12

Is there any financial support available?

Accepted Answer

Financial support is provided by the UK government through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). A grant is provided to help with the installation costs if you meet the criteria. This is something we will handle automatically on your behalf. We'll also inform you if we believe you to be ineligible and, if feasible, assist you in resolving that.

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