EXPERIENCED AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP & AIR CONDITIONING ENGINEERS IN THE COLCHESTER AREA

An ASHP will cost less than a gas boiler over its lifetime, and can reduce your annual carbon footprint by up to 44%. Energy costs fluctuate (often upwards, as we all know!) but some example cost comparisons look like this: Running a new, 92% efficient gas boiler could cost £2,015 annually: 18,000kWh/92% x 10.3p per kWh of gas. An older, efficient gas boiler with 70% efficiency could cost around £2,648 annually: 18,000kWh / 70% x 10.3p per kWh of gas. By comparison, an air source heat pump would be about £1,888 a year: 18,000kWh / 324% x 34p per unit of electricity.

Per year, a four-bedroom house may need around 18,000kWh heat. But this could vary. The heat required is divided by the efficiency of each appliance. Next, multiply the cost of fuel by this number to calculate total running costs. This is how much it could cost to heat your home at current fuel prices.

An air source heat pump is about 300% efficient, meaning that for every unit of electrical energy it uses to run, it will produce 4 units of heat energy for your home. A well-calibrated and installed unit can reach 400% efficiency. Some owners who really geek out on the configuration of their units have pushed this closer to 500%!

It is possible to install the indoor and outdoor units installed yourself, if you are technically confident. Although this can reduce installation costs, you will still need to hire a qualified installer who has experience in wiring up and connecting the units. This can be complicated. It is important to make sure that your air source heat pump is correctly commissioned to ensure it lasts for at least two decades. Professional installers and electricians must be licensed. A certified MCS installer is required to install your heat pump in order for you to be eligible to receive the RHI or Clean Heat Grant.

Maintenance of an air source heat pump is straightforward. To ensure that airflow is not impeded, keep the outside unit clean. Wipe down the fan blades if they become dirty. Filters should be changed when they become full, and the coolant will need occasional replacement. Although a professional service is a good idea it doesn’t have to be done every year Every two- to three years is generally sufficient.

Contrary to popular belief, ASHPs work fine in a UK winter! They are widely used in Scandinavian countries, where average winter temperatures are much lower than than 5-7 degrees centigrade we experience on most winter days in Britain.

Air source heat pump systems will need a separate hot water tank. ASHPs produce hot water more slowly than a traditional boiler. They will therefore need to run more consistently, and the best way to store the accumulated hot water is in a tank. A new tank will keep all your hot water for as long as you need it, and allow you to fully make use of the heat pump’s warmth. This will ensure you have plenty of hot water for peak time usage. If your existing tank is not sufficient, we will suggest the best-sized tank for your home. An average house with three bedrooms requires a 200-litre container. Houses with five or more bedrooms will require at least 300 litres.

Both new and old properties can have air source heat pumps installed. Older properties may require some modifications to realise the full benefits of an ASHP. While they are excellent at keeping your home warm and comfortable, you will need to make sure that the heat does not escape to reduce running costs. Added insulation may therefore be required for doors windows, walls, and roofs.

With the proper level of maintenance, an ASHP that is properly installed will last at least twenty years. This is much longer than a regular gas boiler, which is typically replaced after 10 to 15% years.

Many heat pumps don’t require planning permission. A majority of air source heat pump installations fall under Permitted Development according to MCS020. We can advise on this as part of our initial survey before you get started. If the property is listed in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (or Conservation Area), planning permission will be required.

Many homes in the UK have radiators that are larger than what is needed for gas heating. Only one-third will require bigger radiators. Our engineer will be able tell you if this is necessary during our initial survey. Underfloor heating is great for ASHPs. The floor covers a greater area than radiators and so doesn’t require as much energy input to provide the same level of ambient heating. The output of air-source heat pumps is lower than those from a gas- or oil fired boiler. They don’t provide heat as quickly, meaning they are best used to warm your home slowly over a longer time.

The best floor coverings for heat pump-powered underfloor heating are highly conductive types, such as vinyl and tiles. For maximum efficiency, heat pumps and UFHs can be operated at a lower temperature if the flooring has good thermal conductivity.

Heat pumps are engineered to be used for extended periods of time. This makes it cheaper and more pleasant to heat the house during the day as opposed to warming it up in the morning and the evening. They react slowly to temperature changes. You can turn up the temperature by changing the setting of the thermostat in your room. You should wait until you feel comfortable with the new setting before increasing it further. If the heat pump is not able to respond quickly enough, it will work at a greater capacity to increase the temperature. This can result in higher heating costs