Should I get a heat pump fitted? What are the pros & cons?
Are heatpumps the future?
A question we have been asked hundreds of times over the past six months, brought on by a surge in political and media attention.
You may be wondering what all the fuss is about, wondering what on earth a 'COP' is (hint... its not a police officer) or whether your home is even suitable for a heat pump.
So lets take look...
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is a device which takes heat from a the environment (usually the air or ground) and collected so that it can be charged up to a usable temperature for warming our hot water or heating systems. The most common type of heat pump is an 'air to water' system, which means that heat from air is taken and put into water. Now for the sciency bit... Heat pumps work all year round by using special gases called refrigerants to absorb the heat, even if it is cold outside. Heat pumps work even down to negative temperatures as there is still 'latent heat' in the air, the pump just has to work a bit harder to get that heat. This brings us to our next question...
Do heat pumps work all year round?
Yes, you can use heat pumps 365 days a year, however the efficiency of the heat pump lowers as temperatures drop. During the summer months, there is more usable heat in the air/ground meaning the heat pump does not have to work as hard to transfer that energy to your home. When winter arrives, the heat pump has to extract heat from air that can be below freezing. This means that during cold periods the heat pump consumes more electrical energy as the fan and compressor used to circulate refrigerant are having to work harder to achieve the same result.
Remember the 'COP' from earlier in this article? COP stands for coefficient of performance and each heat pump has a slightly different COP, this figure can vary from brand to brand and reflects the amount of electrical energy used in relation to the heat energy which is extracted. The higher the COP, the lower your bills should be!
Are heat pumps efficient?
Yes, heat pumps are efficient when they are specified, installed and maintained correctly. It is especially important if you have radiators to ensure that they are correctly sized for use with a heat pump. Most heat pumps run with flow temperatures of around 40 degrees celsius compared to a gas boiler which generally will run at 60-75 degrees celsius (the flow temperature is how hot your radiators are to touch). The radiators may need upgrading to ensure your home heats up quickly at a lower flow temperature, alternatively underfloor heating can be retrofitted which is the best way of heating with a heat pump.
Do I need better insulation?
It is especially important to make sure your home is well insulated to prevent heat escaping if you have a heat pump installed. Any heat which is lost through the walls, floor, windows or roof is heat that will need to be recouped by the heat pump, this is known in the industry as 'heat loss'. Often when we hear of horror stories regarding heat pump running costs, it is usually down to the system being incorrectly specified/installed or that the system has been installed in a home with inadequate insulation.
As a minimum, we recommend that homes have the following: Double glazing, cavity insulation, loft insulation of 250-300mm and floor insulation where possible.
How much space do heat pumps take up?
Heat pumps do take up more room than a gas or oil boiler, this is due to the higher water volumes involved. The average air source outside unit takes up aproximately 1.2m x 0.4m with aproximately the same space being used inside for the thermal store. In the past, the outdoor units have looked a little boxy, manufacturers such as Worcester Bosch are responding to demand and have produced units which are much more modern and aestetically pleasing.
Average cost of installation
Installation cost varies significantly from home to home, the cost of a heat pump installation can start as low as £5,500 for a low output basic system, the average installation however is between £12,000-£18,000.
Until recently, government funding for heat pumps was available up to £13,500.00 however in March 2022 this phase of funding ended, currently we can access up to £5,000 to go towards the installation of a heat pump.
Summary
Heat pumps can be a really efficient way of heating your home, as long as they are specified and installed correctly they can reduce your heating bills significantly. Your home must be well insulated and your heating system suitable to allow efficient use of a heat pump. The cost of heat pumps are higher than other alternatives such as gas boilers, however they are a long term option.