A reliable air source heat pump installation involves evaluating operating expenses, pre-installation work, and the financial sustainability of installing one in an average-sized property.
If you plan to install an air source heat pump. You must know what upgrades you must make before the installation begins. Switching your old heating system with an air source heat pump is a fantastic decision. They have dual features, and you can benefit from them all year round during winter or summer. But if you are afraid of the high cost of a new heat pump. We want to inform you that the UK government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme aims to provide free grants for air source heat pump to low-income families. The costs are only one part of making a responsible, well-informed choice. That corresponds with environmental benefits and long-term financial strategy. Let’s explore the pre-installation work required for the air source heat pump installation.
Understanding Air Source Heat Pumps
Air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) are becoming increasingly popular for eco-conscious households. These systems use ambient air as a renewable heat source. They offer a new, super-efficient alternative to traditional fossil-fuelled heating methods. Two main types of heat pumps are air-to-air and air-to-water. Let’s learn how these heat pumps function and what differentiates them in domestic heating solutions.
How Does an Air Source Heat Pump Work?
The key factor behind a heat pump system is its ability to transfer heat from one place to another. An air source heat pump sucks heat even when outdoor temperatures are as low as -25 degrees Celsius. Which seems utterly bizarre to most people. This is through a refrigerant fluid that soaks the heat before a compression cycle releases the heat to be circulated inside a home.
Pre-Installation Steps of An Air Source Heat Pump
1- Insulation Impact on Heat Pump Efficiency
When considering the transition to a heat pump system, it’s not just the cost of the air source heat pump that matters but also the readiness of the property to support low-carbon technology effectively. Insulation is the silent yet indomitable factor that can steer a heat pump’s performance from good to exceptional. Let’s delve into how insulation influences efficiency and what you need to know before installation.
Improving Home Insulation
To get straight to the point, loft, and wall insulation is the most crucial measure to make a house suitable for a heat pump. There is no shortcut. Perfect insulation acts much like a thermal envelope, locking the warmth and ensuring the output of a heat pump isn’t lost through the walls, floors, and ceiling. Heat leakage can minimise overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
2- Assessing Your Home’s Insulation Before Installation
Before having a heat pump, you must conduct a heat loss survey on the property. A specialist installer does this. The audit of insulation levels became a pivotal step in the commitment to sustainable heating. These are the main areas of concern in most homes:
- Loft and Attic Spaces: Ensuring they are bolstered with high-quality insulation material.
- Walls: Cavity or solid internal wall insulation (IWI) is a game-changer in older properties like mine.
- Floors and Basements: These often-overlooked areas are the hardest to rectify, usually because there is little or no access without significant disruption.
3- Size And Model Considerations
When upgrading your home with a heat pump, picking the correct size and model is essential for proper functioning. This process must balance the unique facts of your property and total heat demand against the offerings in the UK market. The air source heat pump installer advises that there are two main areas to select from: heat pump size (power) and manufacturer brand.
Choosing the Correct Heat Pump Size for Your Home
Determining the perfect size matters! A too-small will be overworked and will become less efficient. And it typically lasts much less than the suggested longevity. On the other hand, an oversized heat pump will consume excessive energy and cost too much to run. So think of it as taking a massive vehicle to your local supermarket once a week. It’s just not crucial. Therefore, after the survey, the heat loss calculation will give you a reasonable estimate of your home’s heat loss. You can then make an information-based decision specific to you on choosing the perfect size heat pump.
4- Comparing Models: The Mitsubishi Ecodan Example
The Mitsubishi Ecodan series is a good illustration of how various models respond to varying heating demands. Investigating the huge variety of heat pumps and evaluating features and performance against the upfront installation cost is vital in making an educated selection. The Ecodan versions are famous for their durability. They have eco-friendliness and the ability to mesh with existing heating systems. The Mitsubishi has a 1kw input to 4kw heat output with a water flow temperature of 50 degrees. However, the Mitsubishi Ecodan is in a league because this performance doesn’t deteriorate until the outside temperature is below minus -7 degrees. No other heat pump comes close to that performance in cold conditions. So it is a must-have for living in the north of England!
5- Heat Pumps Will Require Radiator Upgrades
To guarantee the right operation of what some people call a heat pump for short, it may be essential to modify current radiators for new higher output radiators. Due to the lower working temperatures of ASHPs compared to gas and oil heat systems. Typical radiators may not have a high enough output to meet the appropriate room temperatures. There, greater output radiators may need to be placed. After your home assessment, the design calculations will determine the output necessary for bigger ones. The theory of more oversized radiators is based on having a lower flow temperature in the heating system. It indicates that the lower the flow temperature, the larger the radiator is required.
Conclusion
In summary, air-source heat pumps offer a formidable and affordable long-term solution for sustainable home heating. Understanding heat pumps’ functionalities and their integration with existing home pipework. You can explore financial incentives and the importance of proper insulation. We’ve covered all the upgrade essentials before installing an air-source heat pump.
