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Frequently Asked Questions

How does an air source heat pump work?

An air source heat pump extracts warmth from the surrounding air, and using an electric powered pump, this warmth is compressed to generate higher temperatures, which can then be used to either heat hot water, or provide heating for your building. The heat pump theory is the opposite of your fridge or freezer - a fridge extracts warm air and keeps the fridge interior cold. A heat pump extracts warmth from the air (or ground) and then transfers that heat energy into your building. An air source heat pump is able to produce heat even in air temperatures of -3c.

How does a ground source heat pump work?
A network of plastic pipes filled with an antifreeze solution is buried in either trenches 1.2m beneath the ground or in very deep vertical boreholes. Underground temperatures are warmer and more constant than above ground, and again, this warmth is compressed by the heat pump, generating higher temperatures which is used to heat water or a create warmth using an underfloor heating system.

How can I heat my home, or create hot water?
The most efficient way to heat a building is to connect the heat pump to an underfloor heating system. This is where pipework is permanently fitted beneath solid floors to create efficient warmth, but without any unsightly radiators. It is possible to use conventional radiators with a heatpump too, but this is not quite as efficient. A heat pump can be linked to a hot water cylinder to create and store hot water.

Are heat pumps more efficient that other forms of heating?
For every 1 unit of electricity used to power the heat pump, it can produce upto the equivalent of 4 units of heat energy. This is highly efficient compared to a conventiional gas or oil powered system.

Do heatpumps use fossil fuels - is it totally green?
A heat pump extracts solar heat from the air or ground which is provided naturally by the sun and is 100% free and renewable. The only input into the heat pump is electricity. If run using electricity from a renewable source (such as a green tariff from major power suppliers), this will also be completely renewable without the use of fossil fuels.

How reliable is a heat pump?
Heat pumps are designed to last at leat 25 years, and will not require annual servicing. A heat pump should perfom consistenely throughout it's life, with no loss of performance over time. In comparision a gas boiler has an expected life of 10 years and must be serviced every year.

Can a heatpump be used in all types of buildings?
Heat pumps can work in domestic, industrial, education, community buildings.

How efficient are heatpumps?
To get the best efficiency from a heat pump, it would be connected to an underfloor heating system, in a modern property, that is fully insulated. For a ground source heat pump there needs to plenty of space outdoors for ground loop trenches, or a suitable area for deep bore holes to be drilled. Other methods such as heating via radiators can still obtain good results.

How much space is needed for ground loops?
For the average home, 3 x 40 metre trenches would be required. If this space is not available, deep bore holes can be used instead. The cost of digging bore holes is more expensive than trenches.

How much does it cost to install a heat pump?
The larger the property the more it will cost as a larger ground loop, heat pump and underfloor system is required. Air source heat pumps are lower cost and are priced from £7,000. A ground source heat pump and ground loops can be installed from £9,000. As each installation is highly tailored, please contact us to obtain an individual quote.

Are grants available to help for a heat pump installation?
There are grant schemes available from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. In addition to grants, VAT on energy efficiency projects is lower than usual and is charged at 5%. For installations into new domestic buildings, VAT can be 0%.