How do air source heat pumps work?

 

Put simply, heat from the outside air is absorbed by the air source heat pump and converted into fluid. This fluid passes through a compressor which increases the temperature and transfers that higher temperature heat to the heating and hot water system circuits in the house. There are two main types of air source heat pump: air-to-water and air-to-air. The system you choose will determine the type of heat distribution system you need.

 

Is air source heat right for you?

 

Providing your property is energy efficient and well insulated (a pre-requisite) this form of heating can be 400% more efficient, i.e. 1kw input = 4 kw heat output.

 

The equipment is quite expensive, but the prices have been coming down due to their popularity. You may need some changes to your pipework and radiators too, but we will tell you exactly what's needed on our free first site visit.

 

The great thing is that you will nolonger be purchasing fuel from any energy suppliers. You will need sufficient space to house the large tanks required.

Ground source heat pumps use pipes that are buried in the land to extract heat from the ground.

 

This naturally sourced heat can then be used to heat radiators, underfloor heating or warm air heating systems as well as hot water in your property.

 

How do they work?

 

Heat from the ground is absorbed into a fluid and then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump. The ground stays at a fairly constant temperature under the surface, so the heat pump can be used throughout the year. Depending on what fuel source you are replacing ground source heat pumps can significantly lower the carbon footprint of your property as well as ongoing heating costs.

 

There is no requirement for purchasing fuel from energy suppliers.

How do they work?

 

Water source heat pumps extract heat from a nearby water source and then convert that water into energy to provide heat. A series of submerged pipes are used which contain a fluid to absorb heat from a large pond, private lake, river or a bore-hole. This is then converted into useful heat for space heating and hot water, through compressing the working fluid so it can give the heat off at a higher temperature.

 

Considerations

 

Water source heat pumps work best when connected to underfloor heating and larger radiators. This ensures that the property benefits from optimum potential performance.

 

A substantial nearby water source is essential. A reasonably large space is required for the system’s compressor and, because it emits a low humming noise, should be located away from the main living area.

 

To gain the maximum heat and financial benefit from a water source heat pump, your property must be well-insulated.

 

Planning permission may be required but if the water supply is within the land boundaries this usually isn't needed. It’s important to consult your local planning department before you commit.

Solar Thermal water heating systems use free heat from the sun.

 

The science behind Solar Thermal systems is very straightforward: Sunlight falls on flat plates or tube collectors fitted to the roof. The sun heats up a fluid that transfers the energy to the heating system and/or hot water systems inside.

 

A conventional boiler or immersion heater can be used to make the water hotter, or to provide hot water when solar energy is unavailable.

For on-grid property owners wishing to replace their boiler with a more eco-friendly and energy efficient solution, a hybrid system could be the answer.

 

A hybrid heating system combines the familiarity of a traditional boiler with a heat source generated by renewable energy - for example an air source heat pump. This hybrid system automatically switches between the two heat sources depending on which will deliver the best energy efficiency at the time.

How does LPG central heating work?

 

LPG central heating is normally used in a ‘wet’ heating system. An LPG-fired boiler heats water which provides central heating and domestic hot water. Some boilers which have been designed for mains gas can be retrospectively converted to use LPG.

 

The price of LPG fluctuates fairly frequently but on average has shown to be slightly cheaper to buy than oil. However, the real savings will be influenced by the efficacy of the boiler and the quality of insulation in the property.

 

The storage tank can be located underground as they are usually an eye-sore As a fossil fuel the burning of LPG produces carbon dioxide and is therefore not an eco-friendly option.

Oil fuelled central heating is an efficient choice for off-grid domestic and commercial properties

 

Oil central heating is an ideal option for property located in remote and off-grid locations. The heating performance usually offers 90-98% heating efficiency. There is also a wide network of oil delivery options. The world-wide price of oil has risen considerably since 2022 and it's advisable to check the current prices with oil suppliers.

 

We provide our customers with an optional FIXED PRICE SERVICE PLAN with no excess service fee and no hidden extras.