Heating your home & hot water just got easier, cheaper and more eco friendly
Air Source Heat Pumps
Energy efficient
Air source heat pumps can generate less CO2 than conventional heating systems.
Easy to install
They are easier to install than ground source heat pumps, particularly for retrofit.
RHI approved
A financial incentive that pays you for generating your own heat through renewable technology.
RHI is the UK Government financial incentive to promote the use of renewable heat
You are issued payments which are meant to help offset the cost of installing and running the system
The UK’s target to reach 12% of renewable heat sources by 2020 is incentivised by the RHI
First payment will be made three months after the date you applied and at the tariff rate applicable at that date
How do air source heat pumps work?
Heat from the air is absorbed at low temperature into a fluid. This fluid then passes through a compressor where its temperature is increased, and transfers its higher temperature heat to the heating and hot water circuits of the house.
There are two main types of air source heat pump systems:
Air-to-water
An air-to-water system distributes heat via your wet central heating system. Heat pumps work much more efficiently at a lower temperature than a standard boiler system would. This makes them more suitable for underfloor heating systems or larger radiators, which give out heat at lower temperatures over longer periods of time.
Air-to-air
An air-to-air system produces warm air which is circulated by fans to heat your home. They are unlikely to provide you with hot water as well.
Is an air source heat pump suitable for me?
To tell if an air source heat pump is right for you, there are a few key questions to consider:
- Do you have somewhere to put it? You’ll need a place outside your home where a unit can be fitted to a wall or placed on the ground. It will need plenty of space around it to get a good flow of air. A sunny wall is ideal.
- Is your home well insulated? Since air source heat pumps work best when producing heat at a lower temperature than traditional boilers, it’s essential that your home is well insulated and draught-proofed for the heating system to be most efficient.
- What fuel will you be replacing? The system will pay for itself much more quickly if it’s replacing an electricity or coal heating system. Heat pumps may not be the best option for homes using mains gas.
- What type of heating system will you use? Air source heat pumps can perform better with underfloor heating systems or warm air heating than with radiator-based systems because of the lower water temperatures required.
- Is the system intended for a new development? Combining the installation with other building work can reduce the cost of installing the system.
Savings
How much you can save will depend on what system you use now, as well as what you are replacing it with. Your savings will be affected by:
- Your heat distribution system. If you have the opportunity, underfloor heating can be more efficient than radiators because the water doesn’t need to be so hot. If underfloor heating isn’t possible, use the largest radiators you can.
- Your fuel costs. You will still have to pay fuel bills with a heat pump because it is powered by electricity, but you will save on the fuel you are replacing.
- Your old heating system. If your old heating system was inefficient, you are more likely to see lower running costs with a new heat pump.
- Water heating. If the heat pump is providing hot water then this could limit the overall efficiency. You might want to consider solar water heating to provide hot water in the summer and help keep your heat pump efficiency up.
- Using controls. Learn how to control the system so you can get the most out of it. You will probably need to set the heating to come on for longer hours, but you might be able to set the thermostat lower and still feel comfortable. Our installer will explain to you how to control the system so you can use it most effectively.
FAQs
What is the lifetime of a Heat Pump?
On average the lifespan of a Heat Pump is over 20 years
What incentives do I receive from installing a Heat Pump?
Tariffs set the rate for your Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments. People who join the scheme and stick to its rules receive quarterly payments over seven years.
How does an Air Source Heat Pump work?
Air Source Heat Pumps circulate the warmth in the air from one place to another to heat homes and other buildings. It will even work in temperatures as low as -25c.
Do I need to remove my boiler?
Your heat pump will deliver all of your heating and hot water demands as long as the size and installation is correct.
Do my other heat sources need to be removed?
No, your Air Source Heat Pump can run alongside other heat sources, such as wood burning stoves etc.
How do you install the Heat Pump?
The Air Source Heat Pump system consists of an outdoor unit, and/or a hot water cylinder – all connected using existing pipework in your home where suitable.
What is the cost of an Air Source Heat Pump?
Every Air Source Heat Pump is designed bespoke for each home. We offer home assessments to guarantee the best cost for your property.
Does a Heat Pump require any maintenance?
There is only a minor maintenance jobs that fortunately the owner can do themselves. It includes cleaning the outdoor unit and keeping it free of debris. It is also important to have your system serviced once a year. REST will supply you with details of this.
Can I automatically program my Heat Pump?
Yes, you will have full controllability of your Heat Pump system. From the thermostat, mobile phone or other connected devices.
What is the right sized Heat Pump for my property?
REST offer a free survey for your property. We will make sure that your system size is correct and the most beneficial to you.
Why is there steam coming from the Heat Pump on cold days?
This means the heat pump is in a defrost cycle. Acting as a condenser to prevent ice build up, the outdoor fan will stop to increase the temperature.
Are Heat Pumps noisy?
The Air Source Heat Pump systems all fall into the permitted development category. Fortunately, this means they are not noisy.
Is it possible that my Heat Pump will work with existing radiators?
Yes, Heat Pumps can be connected to your existing radiators, underfloor heating, water tank etc. Your systems compatibility will be checked during our home survey.
What will happen to my oil tank?
Having an Air Source Heat Pump means you will no longer require oil to heat your home.
What other benefits come from installing a heat pump?
With a heat pump, you don’t need to worry about a flue, oil tank or gas connections. Plus you won’t need to pay in advance to store fuel.
What happens to my LPG tank?
This can now be removed as you no longer require any LPG to heat your home.
What incentives will I receive?
You will receive payments from the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme if the Heat pump is installed through an accredited installer such as REST.
How much money am I saving with a Heat Pump?
Although the heat pump still needs electricity to drive the unit, most of the energy required to heat your home and hot water will come from environmental energy.
