Air source heat pumps

Benefits

The benefits of air source heat pumps are similar to ground-source heat systems. Firstly, neither type of system requires the use or storage of external fuel. The systems instead run on electricity, which eliminates the need for a gas connection or storage of oil/solid fuel. Air source heat pumps present an advantage over ground source heat pumps because they require less space to install. Instead of requiring the installation of buried underground coils, air source systems can be fitted using much less space and are therefore, more suited for an urban home.

How it works

In the same way that a fridge uses refrigerant to extract heat from the inside, keeping your food cool, and air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air, and uses it to heat your home and hot water. An air-source heat pump has three main parts:

• The evaporator coil absorbs heat from the outside air;
• The compressor pumps the refridgerant through the heat pump and compresses the gaseous refridgerant to the temperature needed for the heat distribution circuit;
• The heat exchanger transfers the heat from the refridgerant to air or water.

In an air-to-water system, the heat produced is used to heat water, which can be used to pre-heat water in a storage tank or circulate through underfloor heating or radiators. Heat pumps produce hot water that is a lower temperature (typically 35-45C) than standard boiler systems, which makes underfloor heating the most effective option. In an air-to-air system, this heat is used to produce warm air, which is circulated by fans to heat a building.

The efficiency of air source systems is measured by a coefficient of performance (CoP). CoPs for air source systems are comparable with ground-source heat pumps, and generally range between 3 and 4. This means that for every unit of electricity used to power the pump, 3-4 units of heat are produced, making it an efficient way of heating a building.

It is even possible for air source heat pumps to extract useful heat from air at temperatures as low as minus 15 ^oC.

Is it suitable for my home?

You should consider the following issues if you're thinking about installing an air source heat pump.

• You will need space on an external wall outside your house to fit the evaporator coil.
• An air source heat pump should cover the heating requirements of a well insulated property. Due to the lower temperature compared with traditional boilers, it is essential that your home is insulated and draught proofed. These measures will lower your heat demand and make the system more effective.
• Consider what fuel is being replaced: if it's electricity, oil, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) or coal, the payback will be more favourable than gas. Heat pumps are a good option where gas is unavailable.
• The type of heat distribution system. Air source heat pumps can be used to heat water that is circulated through radiators but under floor heating is more effective due to the lower temperature of the air/water produced.
• Is the system for a new building development? combining the installation with other building works can reduce costs.
• If you want to further reduce your home's CO ₂ emissions you can purchase a green electricity tariff or install solar PV or some other form of renewable electricity generating system to power the compressor and pump.

Costs and savings

A typical 6kW domestic system, suitable for a well insulated detached property, costs in the range of £7,000 to £10,000 installed.

When installed in an electrically heated home, an air source heat pump could save around £870 a year on heating bills and almost 6 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. Savings will vary depending on the fuel replaced.

Fuel Displaced	£ Saving per year	CO2 saving per year
Gas	£300	830 kg
Electricity	£870	6 tonnes
Oil	£580	1.3 tonnes
Solid	£280	5 tonnes

All savings are approximate and are based on an air source heat pump providing 100% of space heating in a detached property.

Grants

Grants are now available from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.

At the moment grants for air source heat pumps are available in Scotland under the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI).

Installers and products

Currently, there are only air source heat pumps installers or products accredited in Scotland under SCHRI. Please check the Microgeneration Certification Scheme website for updates as to when air source heat pump installers and products become accredited in the rest of the UK.

Find out more about air source heat pumps

For further information about air source heat pumps, you can visit the Heat Pump Association's website.