What is an Air Source Heat Pump?
An Air Source Heat Pump takes heat from the air and boosts it to a higher temperature using a compressor pump transferring heat from the outside air to water. This then heats your home via radiators and also heats water stored in a hot water cylinder for your hot taps, showers and baths.
Similar to a household refrigerator, a heat pump works using a system of compression and evaporation.
The pump uses electricity to run, but it should use less electrical energy than the heat it produces, typically around 25% of the total energy used during the process, making them an energy efficient way to heat your home. This makes them much more cost effective than a traditional heating system.
Are Air Source Heat Pumps efficient?
Air Source Heat Pumps are a very effective way of heating homes year-round. While outside air temperatures can affect the efficiency they operate at, air source heat pumps can operate in even extreme cold weather. Generally, the warmer the air is outside, the more energy-efficient your pump will be.
Should I ever turn the Air Source Heat Pump off?
Heat pumps should never be turned off completely. This is because they will be extremely expensive when turned back on as they will try to raise the temperature as quickly as possible. It can also take several days to restore the home to a comfortable temperature.
Here are some tips for if you will be away from your home:
Away for a day? Just leave the system running as usual, the systems are designed to work most cost effectively when running constantly in the background.
Away for a week or longer? The system should have a ‘holiday’ or ‘frost protection’ setting on the control panel, which will lower the room temperature while you are away. This will also prevent the pipes freezing if you are away during cold weather.
During the summer? Your heat pump might have a ‘summer’ mode, or you can simply turn down the room thermostat. This means the heating will not come on, but you will still get hot water. You can raise your heating temperature again slowly as the autumn approaches.
At night? Lower the temperature to around 10-15°C on your thermostat, and then set it to slowly increase in the morning so that the room is a comfortable temperature when you wake up.
Useful Links
Energy Saving Trusts Website https://energysavingtrust.org.uk
https://www.edfenergy.com/heating/advice/air-source-heat-pump-guide
England, Scotland & Wales
Potential annual savings of installing a standard air source heat pump in an average sized house, four-bedroom detached house, with radiator upgrades as required.