Heat pumps
Heat pumps are a sustainable, low-carbon, efficient heating source. They take heat from the outside environment to give warmth and hot water for homes and commercial buildings.
Heat pumps save energy
Heat pumps run on electricity. They offer energy savings compared to traditional fossil fuel heating systems, as they can usually deliver three units of heat for every unit of electricity used.
Also, their low carbon footprint cuts greenhouse gas emissions and helps with climate change. Therefore, heat pumps will be important in de-carbonising homes and buildings.
There are different types of heat pumps - listed below. In all cases, proper insulation is needed for the best performance. You should review your property’s energy efficiency.
Air source heat pumps
An air source heat pump takes heat from the outside air and transfers it inside. It can give both heating and cooling, making it versatile. A properly designed and installed heat pump system in a well-insulated home can give competitive heating costs compared to fossil fuels.
Benefits include:
- improved energy efficiency as heat pumps typically produce three or more units of heat for every unit of electricity used
- less carbon emissions and easier installation and maintenance
ASHPs usually run at lower flow temperatures of around 45 degrees centigrade. However, the technology is evolving with high temperature heat pumps that can reach flow temperatures of oil and gas boiler systems.
ASHPs are suitable for:
- residential homes
- apartments
- small commercial buildings
Ground source heat pumps
A ground source heat pump (GSHP) extracts heat from the ground via buried pipes filled with a refrigerant. It offers high efficiency and reliability, with lower running costs and less environmental impact.
Excavation is needed for installing the ground loop system but offers long-term energy savings and less maintenance.
GSHPs are suitable for:
- single-family homes
- larger residential buildings
- commercial properties
Water source heat pumps
A water source heat pump (WSHP) extracts heat from a water source and are suitable for buildings near a body of water such as a lake, river or well.
It gives efficient heating and cooling and is suitable for buildings near water bodies. It offers consistent performance and can significantly cut energy costs over time.
Hybrid heat pumps
Hybrid heat pumps (HHP) can work with another heating system in a building, such as a gas boiler.
They are a consideration for buildings which would need significant fabric, energy efficiency and pipework upgrades to be suitable for a standalone heat pump.
Integrating a heat pump with existing infrastructure can improve energy efficiency without the need for a full system replacement.
HHPs are suitable for buildings with existing heating systems to help efficiency and cut carbon emissions.
Get the most out of your heat pump
Proper sizing
Make sure the heat pump is properly sized for your building's heating needs. An undersized unit may struggle to meet demand. An oversized unit may cycle on and off often and lessen efficiency.
Insulation and air sealing
Improve the energy efficiency of your building by making sure it has proper insulation and air sealing. This helps minimise heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer and will lessen the workload on the heat pump.
Smart thermostats
Set the thermostat to automatically maintain a consistent temperature rather than constantly adjusting it. This helps the heat pump run more efficiently and minimise energy use.
Regular maintenance
Check and clean your heat pump to make sure it runs at peak efficiency.
Other changes for a new heating system
As well as any material change to a property, other changes may be needed to get the best use from a heat pump.
Heat pumps usually work best if turned on at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. This maintains a level of heat for longer rather than turning heating on in ‘bursts’ when a property gets cold.