Home heating is responsible for almost a third of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions with 78% of UK households using gas to heat their homes. The UK government has committed to reduce emissions to zero by 2050 and plans to achieve this are already being implemented.
Boris Johnson has recently announced a government grant to encourage people to replace their gas boilers with energy efficient, low carbon heat pumps. You may never have heard of heat pumps as an option for heating your home before, so in this article we aim to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this method of heating.
How Does a Heat Pump Work?
Heat pumps create a low carbon heating system which works without the need to burn fuel. Heat from external air is simply transferred and compressed in order to generate more heat. This explains why heat pumps are a more eco-friendly heating method and why they can continue to provide heat even when temperatures drop below freezing.
- Air from outside your home is passed over a network of tubes filled with a refrigerant. The air warms the refrigerant, turning it from liquid to gas.
- The gas is then passed through a compressor to increase pressure and create more heat.
- The hot gas passes into a heat exchanger which is surrounded by cool air or water. The refrigerant transfers its heat to the cool air or water in order to heat it.
- The heated air or water is then distributed around your home providing you with heating and hot water. Meanwhile, the refrigerant cools and forms back into a liquid, ready to start the cycle again as required.
Will a Heat Pump Save Me Money?
Unlike more traditional heating methods such as gas boilers, heat pumps are designed to keep indoor temperatures steady rather than relying on high power bursts of energy to provide warmth. This means that heat pumps are a great way to lower your carbon footprint whilst still being one of the most cost effective methods of heating via electricity. According to the Renewable Energy Hub, a heat pump system can be 200%-400% more efficient than traditional home heating methods. If you are already using electricity to heat your home, a pump can reduce the amount of electricity you use to do so by 30%-40%.
Oour handy guide on how much it costs to run a heat pump helps you to work out how much it could cost to run a heat pump and how to calculate how much energy it may use.
Heat Pump Installation
Installation of a heat pump must be carried out by a qualified professional who will help you decide where to install your heat pump and ensure that it will run as efficiently as possible. You can find a qualified heat pump installer in your local area by using The Renewable Energy Hub’s simple to use search tool
The heat pump system will come in two parts; a unit encasing a fan which will either be wall mounted or positioned on the ground close to your exterior wall. The main pump will then be installed inside your house. The refrigerant and drain hose pipes are then connected and insulated. After this, the heat pump system will be connected to your indoor heating system, such as your radiators. If installed properly, heat pumps should require very little maintenance and have an expected lifespan of 20-30 years.
Where to Buy a Heat Pump
Electricpoint will soon be stocking Dimplex Thermosense heat pumps.
We currently stock Edel RF Hot Water Heat Pumps (HWHP). Available in 200L and 270L options, the Edel RF water heater pump is a low carbon alternative to gas boilers for heating hot water. Edel Heat Pumps consist of a ducted system which supplies external air to an internal air source heat pump. The pump collects energy from the air and converts it into heat, which is then transferred to the water within the cylinder, heating water up to 60°C. The hot water can then be distributed throughout the house via radiators or underfloor heating. The hot water can also be stored in the cylinder and used through taps, showers and baths. can also be controlled remotely via the Dimplex Hub for optimum performance and efficiency. The video below provides more detail on the Edel water heating pumps.
We hope that this blog has answered all heat pump FAQs, but if you need any more information please give one of our friendly team a call on 0203 994 5470, email us atsales@electricpoint.com or use our Contact Form.