There are many benefits to installing an air source heat pump. You can reduce your running costs, decrease your reliance on finite fossil fuels and enjoy the ease and comfort of a highly sophisticated, intelligent and reliable heating system.
Many of my clients in rural Wales express concerns about the heating capability of air source heat pumps. While they understand that a ground source heat pump collects energy from the ground, some struggle to comprehend that an air source heat pump is able to extract energy from the air in minus temperatures.
These reservations are of course understandable, but on the back of a successful year for the air source heat pump industry, there’s plenty of information available to help you recognise the reliability of this exciting technology.
The fact is that air source heat pumps are still seen as a relatively new technology in the UK, despite 33,651 MCS accredited installations since 2009 (making them the leading renewable heating technology) Source: Microgeneration Certification Scheme Newsletter February 2015.
Here are answers to five frequently asked air source heat pump questions!
1. “Do air source heat pumps work when it’s cold?”
The good news for those in who live on the cliffs of Anglesey or in the beautiful national parks near Snowdonia, is that even at -5 degrees Celsius (which sounds very cold to us!), there is still plenty of energy in the air for the heat pump to convert. Remember, there is still energy all the way down to -273.15 degrees Celsius (absolute zero).
High quality air source heat pumps, designed and installed to MCS standards by Source Energy, will deliver heating and hot water even at –20 degrees Celsius.
Moral of the story: air source heat pumps do work efficiently in cold weather, making them the ideal heating solution for rural areas such as Powys, Conwy and Ceredigion.
2. “Are air source heat pumps efficient?”
While it’s true that air source heat pumps aren’t as efficient as ground source heat pumps, that doesn’t make them inefficient! Ground source heat pumps typically enjoy an efficiency rating of 4:1, trumping the air source rating of 3:1.
However, the 3:1 rating still translates to an impressive conversion in which the air source heat pump produces three times more energy than it takes in; meaning that the system is more than able to provide all of the heating and hot water for your property, cutting the cost of utility bills and earning 7.42p per kWh with the Renewable Heat Incentive. Read more about the Renewable Heat Incentive…
New ErP Directive
A heating system is labelled similarly to the energy rating on a property with G being the lowest rating and A++ being the highest, with more energy ratings expected to be added in the future.
Mitsubishi Ecodan air source heat pumps have been awarded the highest possible energy rating of A++.
3. “I live by the sea, would the heat pump rust?”
Mitsubishi air source heat pumps are galvanised with a protective coating to protect them from salty sea air and harsh weather conditions. These systems aren’t restricted to running in sheltered areas and will work efficiently near the windy cliffs of Abereiddy in Pembrokeshire and the sloping valleys of Carmarthenshire.
Rest assured, your investment is protected from the elements. Read more about Mitsubishi air source heat pumps…
4. “Are air source heat pumps really noisy?”
Mitsubishi heat pumps have been awarded the Quiet Mark by the Noise Abatement Society. I would describe the sound an air source heat pump makes as less of a mechanical jitter, but more of a smooth “whoosh” as the air flows through the fans. Read more about the Quiet Mark…
To minimise disturbance, Source Energy will install your air source heat pump away from any bedroom windows. Source Energy also complete the MCS 020 noise calculation to confirm permitted development rights under local planning conditions. My colleague Jim has written an article dedicated to answering the question: “Are air source heat pumps noisy?”, click here to read it »
Air source heat pump noise
“The heat pump is quiet, clean and altogether superb” Read more of this air source heat pump review…
5. “If I choose an air source heat pump, will I need a secondary heating system?”
If a heat pump has been designed to MCS standards and installed by an accredited and experienced installer, then the system will be able to meet all of the heating requirements of your property. Heat pumps can produce 100% of the heating demand for the property, but that does not mean you cannot have log burners, open fires or wood burning cookers in your home.
A highly sophisticated and intelligent technology, a heat pump will monitor the outside and inside temperature of each individual room. If the system detects that a room is already at the desired temperature (because there is a log burner for example) then it will not produce heat for that room.
This is why heat pumps are so efficient. They intelligently heat your home; saving energy and reducing running costs.
If you would like to ask more air source heat pump questions, please call 0800 865 4328, where myself or one of our other heat pump experts will be happy to help. You can also read more about the benefits of air source heat pumps here »
