How do heat pumps work?
What are heat pumps and how do they work? We cover everything you need to know in this article.
What is a heat pump?
Air source heat pumps have been in use for decades as an eco-friendly alternative to gas or oil boilers. A heat pump is a unit that is mounted outside your home that transfers energy from the surrounding air into your home to heat your radiators and your hot water.
With efficiency up to four times higher than a gas boiler, they provide a more energy efficient and greener way of powering your heating and hot water that can help to reduce energy bills and lower your home’s carbon footprint.
How do heat pumps work?
If you choose to install a heat pump to heat your home and hot water, you’ll continue to enjoy the same convenience of turning on a tap to get hot water and turning your thermostat when you want a heating boost. One difference you will particularly enjoy is the constant comfort levels they provide – seeing as they work best when you keep your home at a constant 18 – 21 degrees.
Behind the scenes however, they do work a bit differently to gas or oil boilers.
When you have a heat pump installed, a unit is fitted to the outside of your property, which draws air into the system. This air is used to turn a refrigerant inside the unit into vapour.
This vapour is compressed and produces heat as a result. The heat is then transferred to your home’s heating system, providing your home with heat and hot water, when you need it.
Heat pumps are so effective that heat can even be extracted from the air when temperatures fall below freezing – down to minus 15C, ensuring that even in the coldest conditions your home’s heating won’t let you down.
The heat pumps we offer at Good Energy are all powered using smart controls from a mobile smartphone, tablet or laptop. This gives you the freedom to control your home’s heating at the touch of the button, and manage your heating system remotely, meaning you can return to a warm house after a holiday.
What are the benefits of heat pumps?
Installing a heat pump comes with several key benefits for your home, the environment and your energy bills:
Heat pumps can help lower your heating bills
Depending on your current heating source, an air source heat pump could save you significantly on your monthly energy bills. Find out more about how much you could save in our article.
Heat pumps can increase your home comfort levels
Heat pumps work best when they are left to run all the time. That means that you can save money, while keeping your home at a constant 19 – 20 degrees. Paul shares how getting a heat pump has hugely increased his comfort levels at home.
Heat pumps are more energy efficient
Heat pumps are an incredibly efficient way to heat your home – they generate 3.5 times more heat energy than they use to run. They’re also around 4 times more efficient than gas boilers, which typically turn only 90% of the energy they use into heat for your home.
Heat pumps reduce your home’s carbon footprint
Moving away from fossil fuels could reduce your home’s carbon footprint by up to 65%.
Heat pumps work well even in cold temperatures
Air source heat pumps work effectively in temperatures down to -15°C to keep your home warm and comfortable.
Heat pumps are easy to install
Air source heat pumps are easy to install. They don’t typically require planning permission or any additional work to your property such as digging a hole or requiring a fuel storage tank. However, if you live in a listed property or conservation area you should check with local planning authorities before installation.
Is a heat pump suitable for my home?
If you’re interested in getting an air source heat pump installed, there’s a few key criteria you and your home should meet:
- You must be the homeowner (or have permission from the landlord)
- You live in a house or bungalow (not a flat or an apartment)
- You have an up-to-date EPC (Energy Performance Certificate), which you can find on the government’s directory.
