Heat Pumps UK – HeatPumpmeta

Heat pumps: a solution to the energy and climate crisis
At a time when gas and heating oil prices are skyrocketing, more and more people are looking for alternatives. The heat pump quickly becomes the ideal option.

What are the benefits of using heat pumps

Efficiency, Save Your Energy Bills

Provide Warm and Cold Air

Supply Hot Water

Dry Clothes

Reduces Harmful Emissions

Minimal Maintenance

What type of heat pump should you choose in UK?

The type of heat pump choice depends above all on your situation. If you live in a region with a colder climate, an air-to-air or air-to-water heat pump will not be able to produce heat all year round. In these geographical areas, it will probably be more interesting to consider installing a geothermal heat pump or to couple an air-air or air-water heat pump with another heat source.

Air-to-air heat pump
Air-water heat pump
Geothermal heat pump
Water source heat pump

The air-to-air heat pump will draw energy from the outside or inside air, heat it and inject it directly into the room to be heated. It is undoubtedly the most accessible equipment. However, the air-air heat pump does not heat the water in the sanitary facilities. Its performance will be less or zero when the temperatures are at their lowest.

By recovering the energy present in the air, an air-water heat pump heats the water in the heating circuit as well as the domestic water. Easy to install and quite accessible, this heat pump is recommended in regions where the temperatures are milder.

A geothermal heat pump draws heat from the ground to heat the water in the heating circuit and sanitary facilities. This installation is a little more complex to implement. It requires the ability to deploy a large network of heat sensors underground, horizontally, or vertically. More difficult to install and more expensive, this installation nevertheless has the advantage of offering better performance throughout the year. From a certain depth, the temperature in the ground varies very little, whatever the season.

Less widespread, the water-water heat pump works on the same principle as a geothermal heat pump. The difference lies in the fact that it will draw heat from underground water, at the groundwater level. It is also a very powerful solution.

heat pump for home cost UK

Costs of Heat Pumps Factor

The price range for heat pumps is therefore wide! This is explained in particular by the very many criteria likely to influence the budget to be provided.

The type of technology: geothermal devices require land development work and therefore have a higher cost;
The heat release method: the use of a refrigerant (air/water or water/water) is a more expensive process than simple heat ventilation (air/air), but also offers better performance;
The coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump: defines the relationship between the electrical consumption of the appliance and the quantity of heat supplied. A high COP is the sign of a more efficient and generally more expensive heat pump to purchase;
The size of the dwelling and the total area to be heated. For example, the purchase price of an air/water heat pump reaches on average £65 to £90 per square meter heated;
The outside temperature and the climatic zone. In the coldest regions, you will have to move towards powerful and therefore more energy-consuming models.
Any options offered by the device, for example, the production of domestic hot water with an integrated tank, or the heating of the swimming pool water.

Average Heat Pump Costs by Type In UK

Type	Installation Cost
Air-to-air heat pump	£9,000 – £17,000
Geothermal	£20,000-35,000
Air-water heat pump	£9,000 – £19,000
Water source heat pump	£10,000 – £20,000

Cost To Running A Heat Pump

The electricity consumption of a heat pump varies according to the power of the device, the characteristics of the accommodation to be heated, or the temperature outside the accommodation. Here are some indicative examples :

An air/air heat pump with a COP of 4 will consume around 5,100 kWh per year in a 100 m² house, i.e. a bill of around £1418;
A geothermal heat pump with a COP of 5, installed in a 150 m² house, will consume 5,250 kWh per year, ie an electricity bill of £1459.;

Cost To Repair A Heat Pump

Repair	Average Cost
Electrical work	£100–£600
Clear blockage	£80–£150
Leaks	£90–£610
Defroster repairs	£100–£650
Thermostat	£100–£250
Ductwork	£750–£3,300
Compressor and condenser	£1,500–£4,500

Heat Pump Grants In UK 2022

From April 2022, homeowners in England and Wales who install low-carbon heat pumps in their houses could be eligible for a one-time £5,000 subsidy from the government to help them replace inefficient gas boilers. A £3.9 billion scheme to make all heating systems low carbon by 2035 includes the program.

do I need a home heat pump?

Where to place the heat pump, do I have space to place it?

Due to its configuration, the house often offers more freedom in the installation of a heat pump. A simple patch of garden or courtyard is enough to accommodate, on the ground, the outdoor unit of a house heat pump. The fact of installing a heat pump in a house does not, however, dispense with following some recommendations as to the location of the outdoor unit. To choose the ideal location for the outdoor unit of your air-to-water, air-to-air, etc. heat pump, it is important to consider:
Noise pollution from the device: the outdoor unit of a heat pump emits a more or less high noise level. For your well-being, it is better to avoid placing this outdoor unit near your bedroom window, for example. To avoid conflicts with neighbors, it is also advisable not to place the outdoor unit in the immediate vicinity of another dwelling.
The aesthetic aspect: as mentioned before, the outdoor unit of a heat pump is not very aesthetic. To avoid spoiling the view or distorting the outdoor facilities of your land, it is better to opt for an area located away.
Orientation: when the choice is possible, it is advisable to avoid placing the outdoor unit of the heat pump to the north. Placed to the north, the outdoor unit of the heat pump will encounter more difficulties in defrosting in winter.
The meteorological parameters: the professionals of the installation of a heat pump finally advise positioning the external unit sheltered from the wind. In the event of strong gusts, the wind could indeed disturb the direction of rotation of the fan, with a significant risk of failure.

How Loud Is a Heat Pump Running?

The noise level of a heat pump is one of the main issues. While most heat pumps do not make a lot of noise when operating, some may produce noise, and this can have a significant impact on your decision to buy. There are four primary components of an air source heat pump that contribute to the noise level. These elements include the compressor, fan, airflow, and pressure flow.
Heat pumps will generate some noise, but these noises should be manageable. A high pitched squeal is often indicative of a malfunctioning compressor, which needs a new discharge valve. A humming or buzzing noise is also indicative of a faulty capacitor or relay. If you hear any of these noises, call a technician right away to fix the problem.
The average noise level of a heat pump is 40 to 60 decibels. While this is relatively low compared to the average refrigerator, it’s still sufficient to be heard across a room. It’s also not loud enough to bother neighbors. If you plan to install one outside, consider installing soundproofing to prevent it from affecting the area around your house.
Noise levels vary depending on the model. While some indoor heat pumps are quieter than outdoor models, they still make noise, but the decibel level is similar to the noise of rustling leaves. The speed of the fan will also impact the noise level. High fan speeds are associated with more noise, while low speeds are generally less noticeable.

What type of heat pump is best for my home?

Air Source Heat Pump!
An air source heat pump is an effective way to heat your home. They work by transferring heat from the air outside to your home’s central heating system. These units are generally expensive but can drastically cut energy bills. Unlike traditional gas boilers, they do not need to be turned off. They run continuously and provide background heat.
In the UK, the government is trying to encourage people to switch to heat pumps and has set up grant schemes to help homeowners get their new heating system installed. Since central heating is responsible for 20% of UK carbon emissions, this government initiative will help households reduce their carbon footprint.
The government has also announced a scheme that provides grants to homeowners who install an ASHP in their homes. However, this scheme does not apply to social housing or new build homes. Private rented accommodation can qualify for the project, but the landlord must approve the installation of an air source heat pump.
In the UK, heat pumps are not cheap, but many government grants are available to help people purchase them. A air source heat pump can significantly reduce your energy bills. Studies have shown that a Air Source Heat Pump can save up to 52% of energy expenses!

Will a heat pump reduce my energy costs?

Energy savings

If you’ve ever heard of heat pumps, you know they run on renewable energy .
They capture calories from the earth, water or air to heat your home.
This operation therefore makes it possible to heat your home using inexhaustible and free energy .
By installing this type of equipment, you will say goodbye to fossil fuels (oil, gas, etc.)

Money savings

Well, this point follows directly from the first.
By consuming less energy, the heat pump allows you to reduce your heating bill.
Yes, a heat pump consumes 2 to 4 times less energy than a traditional heating mode (electric heating, gas boiler, etc.).
It therefore allows you to save 75% on your energy bill.