How does a heat pump work?
How heat pumps can work for you
See how a heat pump can benefit you and if you have any more questions send a direct message, or pick up the phone and call us on 01798 307000.
The areas we cover are West Sussex, East Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Cambridge and Norfolk
Technical
See below how our heat pumps can work for all types of properties
How do heat pumps work?
An air source heat pump utilises external air temperatures and ground temperatures for ground source heat pumps. It’s what the heat pump does with this energy that is so beneficial to our energy consumption.
The science
The refrigerant in the heat pump reacts to absorbed energy from the ground or air, boiling and expanding before being compressed. This compression creates super heat, generating 3 to 4 times the energy in heat compared to the energy used to power the compressor. Essentially, paying for 1 kWh of energy results in 3 to 4 kWh of heat for your home—a simple and efficient process!
Radiators and underfloor heating
Underfloor heating is the most suitable partner for a heat pump, but it doesn’t mean that radiators don’t work, they do. Part of our service is to provide you with full heat loss calculations, which will include the required radiator sizing at the lower flow temperatures that heat pumps work with.
New building and old buildings
Heat pumps are well-suited for both new and old buildings. While new constructions benefit from their high efficiency, even older, drafty properties like castles can be effectively heated with heat pumps. Understanding the building’s needs and choosing the right design is essential. Our case studies highlight successful installations in various properties, demonstrating the versatility and effectiveness of heat pumps in keeping homes cozy.
Air Source Heat Pumps
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) are highly efficient heating systems for homeowners, generating more heat than the electricity they consume. For instance, a Mitsubishi Ecodan 8.5 kWh unit can produce 4.1 kWh (SCoP) of heat for every 1 kWh of electricity used, resulting in 3.1 kWh of free heating. Despite their efficiency, not everyone switches to heat pumps due to various considerations.
While most homes can accommodate air source heat pumps, certain adjustments may be necessary. For instance, homes with radiators may need larger or additional units to compensate for the lower heating temperature of heat pumps. Similarly, if your home lacks a DHW cylinder designed for heat pumps, replacing it may be necessary to accommodate the larger coil required. Additionally, electrical systems must be assessed to ensure they can support the installation of a sizable appliance like a heat pump, especially in homes with multiple electrical devices, including electric cars.
Rest assured, our surveys provide comprehensive reports detailing any necessary adjustments or modifications to ensure a successful heat pump installation tailored to your home’s needs.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) are highly efficient systems for heating your home, utilizing stored energy from the ground to provide usable heat. Similar to a fridge, when designed properly, GSHP systems can generate up to 75%* of your heating needs for free from the ground, with the heat pump converting this energy to meet 100% of your heating requirements. GSHP systems typically gather ground energy through two main methods: horizontal collectors and boreholes.
Horizontal collector arrays consist of a pipe system laid just below the surface, resembling underfloor heating but positioned outdoors. The heat pump circulates water through this array, collecting energy to deliver to the heat pump upon return.
Borehole collectors operate similarly to horizontal collectors, but involve drilling deep boreholes into the ground with pipes running down and up to gather energy for the heat pump.
The efficiency of heat pumps lies in their ability to convert ground energy into useful heating and hot water without incurring substantial costs. By harnessing free energy from the ground, heat pumps enable you to heat your home while only paying for a fraction of the energy consumed. Our comprehensive approach ensures that our customers benefit from the most efficient systems available. Check out our customer testimonials and projects to learn more.
Environmental
Taking care of the planet
Efficient heating systems
We only design heating and hot water systems for homes, after we have fully assessed their suitability for the technology; not all homes are suitable, and we openly tell clients why they won’t work and what would be involved to make one work. In some cases, a little updating of radiators is needed and in others re-insulation plans are required. When we design a system, tailored to your home, we outline how much it will cost to run and how much you will save both financially and carbon.
Reduce carbon emissions
Government Grant - Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) launched in April 2022, providing a £7500 one-time payment to homeowners installing new heat pump systems. To qualify, homeowners must meet criteria such as having an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) less than 10 years old. Installation must be done by an MCS approved installer, like us, using approved equipment. More details are available at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/boiler-upgrade-scheme-bus.
VAT 0% on all our air and ground source heat pumps
For full information regarding the boiler upgrade scheme either call or email us with any questions.