An Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) is a system that absorbs heat from the outside air and uses it to heat radiators, underfloor heating and/or provide hot water for your home. It functions with a combination of evaporator, fan, condenser and refrigerant – much like a fridge in your home, but instead of cooling, it heats. ASHPs can get heat from the air, even when the temperature gets as low as -25 degrees centigrade and the image above shows one working in the snow in South Wales.
An ASHP installation consists of an outside unit which looks like a large fan in a box which sits outside your property in an area with good air circulation, and an inside cylinder and buffer tank which provides for all your heating and hot water needs. The sizes of the tanks vary according to your hot water needs and can fit in a variety of places – for example under your stairs, in lofts, in garages, in utility rooms or airing cupboards.
ASHPs work more efficiently at lower temperatures than gas or oil boilers and they are well suited to underfloor heating or larger radiators which give out heat at lower temperatures over longer periods of time.
With any heating installation, we always advise customers to consider the fabric of the property – and to insulate well, so ‘wrap the heat’ with good loft insulation or wall insulation if this is possible. Ideally seal up any draughty windows or doors, as one can never feel warm with a draught around your ankles or across your back.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme run by OFGEM provides £7500 off the cost of heat pump installations for those switching away from fossil fuels or for a property’s first heating system.
Our preferred products to install are Mitsubishi Ecodan, Vaillant AeroTherm, CTC and Steibel Eltron. Each have their own unique benefits but in our honest opinion Mitsubishi have the best warranty and after-care, with a UK based production centre providing all parts and spares for any breakdowns that occur.
If you have any queries about whether a heat pump could be the right move for you – please get in touch with us and we can answer any questions you may have and arrange a free site survey in Swansea, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire and Brecon.
Comments