Air Source Heat Pumps

 
Why it makes sense

The air heats up during the day, so why not draw on this as a renewable energy source? The compact pump unit works like a fridge in reverse, extracting heat from the air. This is then improved by evaporation and compression. The only prime energy required is the power to circulate the transfer medium refrigerant.

Saving you money

Heat pumps are a very cost effective means of providing 100% of space heating. As a result, savings on fuel bills can be very significant.

Making you money

What’s more, by June 2011 the government will introduce Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI) which will be a non-taxable ‘thank you’ payment similar to the feed in tariffs for electricity generation. This means that with an air source heat pump in place you will earn money for the Co2 emissions that you save as long as the system has been fitted by an MCS certified installer such as East Green Energy,
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Air Source Heat Pumps

Ideal for ...

  • New builds White tick

  • Full Refurbishments White tick

  • Indoor Swimming Pools White tick

  • Residential and Commercial Properties White tick

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Air source heat pumps (ASHP) explained

These are electrically powered appliances consisting of a compressor and heat exchangers.

The underlying concept is much like a fridge in reverse: heat is extracted from the air, then improved
by evaporation and compression with a refrigerant acting as the transfer medium in the cycle. The
only prime energy required is the power to circulate the refrigerant.

Designed to work most efficiently with space heating through preferably under floor heating or
oversized radiators, air source heat pumps can also provide domestic hot water to 65°C.

Are they right for you?

Air source heat pumps are compact units. They run at lower flow temperatures than conventional
boilers and thus insulation levels are important and should aim to be up to current building
regulations
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If a property has good levels of insulation, an air source heat pump can be a direct replacement for a
conventional boiler. They are also a very cost effective means of heating outdoor swimming pools.

At East Green Energy, we are experts in calculating appropriate heat pump sizes and we make every
effort to eliminate the need for a costly immersion heater back-up/buffer tank by sizing pumps to
provide 100% of a building’s heat requirement.

Some manufacturers recommend supporting their heat pumps with a buffer tank. An immersion
heater within the buffer vessel provides any required back-up heat, but such units do come at extra
cost.

Deciding on types and options - site requirements

As the name suggests, air source heat pumps do need to be positioned on an outside wall with good
air flow around the unit.

Both air-to-air and air-to-water systems use the heat energy in the outside air as a source of free
heat. This heat is improved, then delivered either directly by fan-assisted units to the air inside, or to
a water-based indoor system of underfloor heating or radiators. Air source heat pumps in sizes from
as small as 3 kW up to approx 20 kW and can be connected together in series to achieve higher
outputs. The fan noise is typically the same as a boiler flue (approx. 40dB (A)).

Planning considerations

Air source heat pumps do not currently fall within permitted development.

East Green Energy recommends that you always check with your local planning department to
obtain any necessary planning permissions prior to any works taking place.

Winning efficiency

When combined with underfloor heating in a well-insulated property, the heat output can be up to
five times the electrical input power. This is called the coefficient of performance (ie. COP 5:1).
The typical seasonally adjusted COP for an air source heat pump is around 3.5:1 depending on the
ambient air temperature and flow temperature being produced.

They are a very cost effective means of heating outdoor swimming pools as the ambient air
temperature is generally high during the summer months when the pool is in use.

What will it cost? >
Incentive Payments >
FAQs >
Technical Product Information >

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