The most important advantages of purchasing an air source heat pump are the following:
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Low Carbon Footprint
Since they use outside air to warm or cool your home, air source heat pumps are a type of low carbon heating. Your carbon emissions can be greatly reduced if you convert from a heating system that runs on coal or electricity. An air source heat pump uses only 1 unit of electricity for every 3 to 4 units of energy it produces, making it a much better option for reducing emissions.
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Save Money on Energy Bills
You can save money on energy costs by converting to air source heat pumps, which use outside air for heating and cooling. If you go from a coal- or electric-powered system, your savings will be greater. You will be qualified to collect a sizeable amount of your investment via RHI payments, despite the upfront cost being very high. With an air source heat pump, you can save up to £1,335 each year.
The efficiency of a heat pump, the volume of heat required, and the temperature of the heat source are some of the variables that affect how much it costs to operate.
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Eligible for RHI
The Renewable Heat Incentive allows you to get compensated for producing your own heat. You can reduce your energy costs even further by taking advantage of this award for green energy.
The household RHI program now runs through March 2022 and covers air-to-water heat pumps. This implies that if you install your heat pump by that date, you will get paid for each unit of heat produced for the following seven years. The household RHI payments are computed using your energy needs, the SCOP of your heat pump, and the current RHI pricing.
The RHI program also covers other kinds of heat pumps.
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Can Be Used for Heating and Cooling
The use of air source heat pumps for both heating and cooling is possible. Depending on the model, they can offer both summer cooling and winter warmth. All that has to be verified is that your air source heat pump's COP should be over 0.7 for cooling.
Air source heat pumps also complement underfloor heating extremely well. Therefore, installing underfloor heating is highly recommended if you want to get the most out of your system.
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Can Be Used for Space Heating and Hot Water
You could also be able to heat your water with an air source heat pump. The flow temperature—also referred to as the water temperature in the heating system—determines this. A flow temperature of roughly 55 °C is required to heat water. 35° will be the flow temperature if your system is only intended for room heating.
Selecting an ASHP with a flow temperature of 55 °C is necessary if you need space heating as well as water heating.
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High Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP)
Due to its excellent SCOP, air source heat pumps are effective both in the winter and the summer (seasonal coefficient of performance). A heat pump's COP can be calculated by comparing the power input required to generate heat to the quantity of heat produced. A “seasonal COP” number is changed to reflect seasonality.
For instance, when the outside temperature is above 7 °C, a typical air source heat pump operates at a COP of 3.2. As a result, the heat pump is 320% efficient, producing 3.2 kWh of heat for every kWh of power required by the fans and compressor. The better, the greater the COP.
As a result, despite some minor variations, air source heat pumps can operate effectively all year round when their COP is compared to the outdoor temperature. The seasonal COP is used to compare heat pumps, depending on how much these efficiency fluctuations impact them.
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Easy Installation Process
An air source heat pump installation may just require two days. Because you don't have to dig, installing an air source heat pump is simpler than installing a ground source heat pump. Although it is usually not necessary to obtain planning approval for a household air source heat pump, it is always advisable to do so before getting started. It's the best choice for both new construction and retrofits. Installing an air source heat pump can be less expensive if additional building work is done at the same time.
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Low Maintenance
A technician should do servicing and maintenance once a year. As a result, air source heat pumps require little maintenance, but there are a few things you can do to ensure that your heat pump operates at its best. Which involves sweeping leaves and dust from your heat pump, checking for system leaks, checking refrigerant levels, and cleaning filters. Only a licensed installer should perform any additional technical duties.
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Long Lifespan
With routine maintenance, air source heat pumps can last up to 20 years. Furthermore, the majority of air source heat pumps come with 5-year warranties. Modern heat pumps can operate well for about 25 years before they need to be replaced, thanks to a number of technological advancements.
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No Fuel Storage Needed
Since outside air serves as the fuel for air source heat pumps, there is no requirement for fuel storage. For instance, storing the oil for oil-fired boilers would require additional room on your home. You won't have to pay extra costs for fuel deliveries if you don't rely on fuel like oil or wood pellets.
These are the main air source heat pump disadvantages:
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Lower Heat Supply than Boilers
Due to the reduced heat output of this method of heating compared to oil and gas boilers, larger radiators may be required. It is possible for radiators connected to boilers to circulate water at a temperature higher than that of an ASHP system.
Therefore, a bigger heat emitting surface is required to provide the same quantity of space heating.
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Extra Spending to Install Underfloor Heating
Air source heat pumps are most frequently utilized with underfloor heating to maximize the system's efficiency because the heat supply is less abundant. This is because operating it won't require such high temperatures; you won't want to stand on a floor that is 40 degrees Celsius.
If you don't already have a heating system for your floors, this could mean that your installation prices would be greater.
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Your Home Must Be Well-Insulated Already
A well-insulated home is a prerequisite for getting the most out of an air source heat pump. But any heating system has this limitation.
You will need more energy to maintain the desired temperature in your home if heat can easily escape through walls, windows, or doors. So make sure your house has adequate insulation.
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Lower Efficiency Below 0°C
Air source heat pumps decrease efficiency below 0 °C, even if they may operate at low temperatures of -20 °C. This is because they solely rely on outdoor air, and as the temperature drops, the pump's overall capacity for heat output also decreases.
On the other side, ground source heat pumps have pipes buried far beyond the surface of the ground, which results in a more constant temperature and low sensitivity to cold temperatures.
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Lower Savings Compared to Low Price Mains Gas
The price difference between gas and electricity (for powering an air source heat pump) won't be very noticeable if you have access to inexpensive mains gas. Heat pumps continue to be a significant financial expenditure for many. However, the UK is planning to considerably increase the number of heat pump installations, so you can anticipate more low-carbon incentives to make the move.
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ASHPs Can Be Noisy
Similar to a typical air conditioner or mild to heavy rain, air source heat pumps can make some noise when operating. To improve this and lessen their noise, businesses are always developing new technologies.
