What is an Air Source Heat Pump?
Air source heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular, and you have probably heard or read about them in the media recently, but what are they, and how do they work? In this article, we give you an introductory overview to help you decide whether it is something you want to consider for your home.
What is an Air Source Heat Pump?
An all-electric ASHP is essentially a lower-carbon alternative to an oil, LPG or gas boiler.
It is a clever way of using the outside environment to heat up your home and provide hot water. It works in much the same way as a fridge or freezer, but rather than generating cold air, the air source heat pump creates warm air and hot water.
DID YOU KNOW?
An air source heat pump will still produce heat for the home on cold days. Some can even produce heat from outside temperatures of minus 20°C, with the heating system converting this to a high enough temperature to heat your home or water. In fact, the top 3 countries for the number of heat pumps installed are Finland, Norway and Sweden, where temperatures in these countries can be lower than -30°C!
How does an Air Source Heat Pump work?
It works by capturing thermal heat from outside air and turning it into water to heat your home via radiators or underfloor heating. It can also heat your water, which is stored in a hot water tank.
As it pulls in thermal energy from outside, a unique refrigerant liquid is warmed up. This liquid is then turned to gas, and the gas, in turn, is used to generate your heating and hot water - all from using the air outside! This gas is then compressed to make its temperature rise, which then creates your indoor heating and hot water. Once the gas begins to cool, it is turned back into a liquid for reuse at the start of the next cycle.
Why choose an Air Source Heat Pump?
Even when the outdoor temperature is freezing, naturally occurring heat (or “thermal energy”) is still present, meaning the ASHP will always have enough energy to keep your home warm and comfortable.
Having an all-electric heat pump effectively eliminates the need for oil or gas to heat your home. They not only can offer up to quadruple the efficiency of traditional gas or oil boilers but are also suitable for a wide variety of homes. As well as saving on energy costs, another cost-related benefit to air source heat pumps is that they typically can last for 20 years, a longer period of time than a gas boiler. Whether catering to the demands of a bustling family home, heat pumps consistently deliver an ample supply of hot water and efficient heating.
Get started today and get an air source heat pump quote for your home by clicking here!
