Mark Oliver Plumbing

Low Carbon

As air source heat pumps use outside air to heat or cool your home instead of coal or electricity, doing so might significantly reduce your carbon footprint. A much better choice for lowering emissions is an air source heat pump, which requires just 1 unit of electricity for every 3 to 4 units of energy it generates.

Save Money

You may save your energy costs by converting to air-source heat pumps because you'll be using the outside air for heating and cooling. Although the upfront cost is pretty substantial, you may be entitled to get £5,000 towards this through the UK government's boiler upgrade programme. Your savings will be greater if you switch from an electric or coal-based system.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Using the boiler upgrade programme, you may be eligible to earn £5,000 towards the up-front expenses of an air source heat pump. This £3.9 billion programme was introduced by the government in April 2022 as part of the Heat and Buildings Plan. 

Applicants will receive a voucher that they must redeem within three months, meaning that the heat pump must be installed within this timeframe. The program's goal is to promote the adoption of low-carbon heating technologies in homes in England and Wales. Funds are specifically provided to help with the costs of biomass boilers, ground-source heat pumps, and air-source heat pumps, all of which are more environmentally friendly than conventional gas boilers.

Heating and Cooling

Depending on the type, air-source heat pumps may be used for both heating and cooling; they can offer cooling in the summer and warmth in the winter. 

You only need to make sure that your air source heat pump's cooling capacity factor (COP) is more than 0.7. Moreover, underfloor heating is a great complement to air-source heat pumps, so if you want to get the most out of your system, you should seriously consider installing it.

Heating and Hot Water

You may use the air source heat pump to heat your water depending on the flow temperature, which is the temperature of the water in the heating system. 

If your system is only meant for space heating, the flow temperature will be 35°, while it has to be approximately 55°C to heat water. If you want space heating in addition to water heating, you must select an ASHP with a flow temperature of 55°C.

Seasonal Coefficient of Performance

Air source heat pumps are efficient year-round due to their outstanding SCOP (seasonal coefficient of performance). A heat pump's COP measures efficiency by contrasting the power input required to produce heat with the quantity of heat produced. 

A "seasonal COP" number is adjusted to seasonality, so when you compare the COP of an air source heat pump to the outside temperature, you'll see that despite some slight differences, they can run effectively all year long. Depending on how much these variations in efficiency affect the heat pumps, the seasonal COP is used to compare them.

Easy Installation

An air source heat pump installation may be finished in as little as two days, is easier than a ground source heat pump installation, and requires no digging. 

Before you begin your procedure, iverifyingwith the local administration. is always good Domestic air source heat pumps are a great choice for both new construction and retrofits, and you may reduce the cost of installation if you install them together with other building work.

Low Maintenance

An air source heat pump installation may be finished in as little as two days, is easier than a ground source heat pump installation, and requires no digging. 

Before you begin your procedure, it is always good to verify with the local administration. Domestic air source heat pumps are a great choice for both new construction and retrofits, and you may reduce the cost of installation if you install them together with other building work.

Lifespan

With the proper maintenance, air source heat pumps have a long lifespan and can last up to 20 years. Also, the majority of air source heat pumps have 5-year guarantees, and because of technological improvements, modern heat pumps may last for almost 25 years before they need to be replaced.

No Fuel Storage

Air source heat pumps don't require any fuel storage because they use the outside air as their fuel, as opposed to oil-fired boilers, which require storage space on your land. You also won't have to pay extra for fuel delivery as you won't be reliant on fuel like oil or wood pellets.

Difficult Retrofit Installation

Installing an air source heat pump system may be difficult without making considerable adjustments that might be expensive and disruptive, depending on the sort of property you own. Air source heat pumps, for instance, won't work in apartments with no outside area or place for a hot water cylinder.

Operating Noise

If you are worried about potential noise difficulties, the installer should be able to put the heat pump away from your main living rooms and bedroom. Air source heat pumps can create some noise while they are running, although it must be noted that most homes that have heat pumps do not find the noise to be an issue.

Cost More To Run

Although electricity is only somewhat more expensive per unit than gas, air-source heat pumps still demand a little amount of power to operate. If your boiler is an A-rated model and is operating efficiently, switching to an air-source heat pump may result in higher energy costs.

Lower Efficiency In Winter

Heat pumps will consume more power throughout the winter, making them less efficient, since the harder the heat pump has to work to extract heat, the colder the outside air.

Home Insulation Required

As air-source heat pumps provide hot water at a lower temperature than boilers, a well-insulated building is necessary for an effective system.

New Installation Of Radiators Or Underfloor Heating

In order to expand the surface area of the heat distribution system, many homes may also need to install larger radiators or underfloor heating due to the lower water temperature.

Requires Outside Space

You need to have outdoor space for the heat pump itself, including a considerable amount of space surrounding the unit to ensure it has an appropriate supply of air. Large hot water cylinders must balso e accommodated within the house  if the exterior unit is positioned where it would receive lots of sunlight, the ASHP won't have to work as hard.