You’ve probably come across air source systems, including Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP), which are gaining popularity as more people recognise their advantages. These systems offer a way to keep your home comfortable all year round especially in energy efficient areas like Norfolk. If you’re interested in saving energy, considering air source heat pumps could be a move.
ASHPs belong to the category of energy technologies that extract heat from the outdoor air and transfer it indoors or remove heat from inside a building and release it outside. Operating an ASHP is quite straightforward. Think of it like your household refrigerator. It absorbs heat from the air while generating air for your fridge.
Given their user design air source heat pumps have gained widespread popularity not only in Norfolk but throughout the UK. Any heating or cooling system in a building must operate at a temperature more than the heat source itself, similar to how your fridge maintains a cooler temperature than its surroundings.
When it comes to a refrigerator the heat source it relies on is the room it’s placed in. However for an air source heat pump things work differently depending on the season. During months it draws heat from the outside air but in colder months it typically taps into the ground for heat.
This difference explains why there are terms used when discussing various types of pumps. In particular ground source pumps (geothermal) utilise the 1 2 metres of ground beneath them.
Understanding How an Air Source Heat Pump Functions
The functioning of an air source heat pump is truly impressive – it effectively extracts heat energy from the air regardless of how chilly it may be outside. This process involves transferring a refrigerant between two heat converters; as outdoor temperatures drop the refrigerant evaporates to generate warmth; conversely when temperatures rise condensation occurs during the cycle.
This heating system offers advantages as it can potentially eliminate the need for other heating methods leading to fuel savings and reduced domestic heating expenses.
Overview of Key Benefits
Before we delve into the specifics of optimising the performance of an ASHP lets first highlight some advantages of using one;
Cost Savings on Energy Bills. ASHPs are known for their high efficiency resulting in significant savings for homeowners on energy expenses compared to traditional heating systems.
Environmentally Friendly. By using heat from the surrounding air for heating or cooling purposes ASHPs play a role in reducing carbon emissions when compared to conventional heating methods. It is ideal to power the pump with renewable energy sources.
All Year Comfort. ASHPs offer the flexibility to provide both heating during winter and cooling during summer ensuring a comfortable living environment throughout the year.
Professional Installation. When it comes to heat pump installation Norfolk, it’s important to select an installer who possesses a good understanding of both the system being installed and the local climate conditions to ensure optimal system performance tailored to your specific home.
Tips for maximising the efficiency of your air source heat pump (ASHP)
Maintenance
Similar to heating systems ASHPs need regular maintenance to function optimally. Your installer should provide you with a maintenance checklist outlining tasks and instructions on how to carry them out. It is advisable to have a service your ASHP annually following a similar process as servicing a PV system. This involves ensuring airflow insulation and conducting electronic performance tests to detect any potential issues before they lead to a breakdown.
Control. Smart Thermostats
To optimise the performance of your ASHP having control over your heating system is crucial. Smart thermostat technology allows for control over heat usage potentially leading to energy savings. Investing in this technology can enable you to adjust heat output, predict when heat will be needed and change temperature settings based on your schedule as if you plan to return home later in the evening.
Let’s not overlook ground source heat pumps (GSHPs).
Although this post focuses on air source heat pumps it’s worth mentioning about the other primary type of heat pump as well—ground source heat pumps (GSHPs). These systems utilise pipes buried in the garden to draw out heat from the ground.
Real life Success Stories of Air Source Heat Pumps
To show the impact of installing air source heat pumps let’s look at the experience of a family from Norwich who recently made the switch from an oil heating system to an air source heat pump.
Despite concerns about the cost and installation process the family was pleasantly surprised by the immediate decrease in their energy bills and consistent temperatures throughout their home.
“The air source heat pump not only reduced our carbon emissions but also transformed our living space into a comfortable environment all year round “ they shared.
If you are thinking about installing an ASHP in Norwich or across Norfolk contact our team who can answer your questions and advise on the most suitable and cost effective installation for your home.