Air Source Heat Pumps, or ASHP systems, have many advantages. Heat pumps help provide a low carbon footprint as they are an energy efficient technology. They can also be used in junction with Solar PV instead of electricity, saving you both money and energy.

Not many other renewable technologies do both heating and hot water, air source heat pumps are an all-in-one solution meaning no need to invest in two separate systems, saving time and money. Unlike ground source heat pumps which can be intrusive for both installation and repair as it requires digging up the ground outside the property, air source heat pumps are a simple outdoor unit which is as quick and easy to install as well as maintain.

If you are tired of paying outrageous energy bills, and also want to do your part in ensuring future generations have a world worth living in, you should consider the installation of an air source heat pump or heat pumps for your home or business.

Of course, as this is a relatively new technology, you may have questions, and that’s understandable. We suggest that you give us a call and speak to one of our highly trained, air source heat pump specialists. They can answer any questions and address any concerns you might have.

Whereas 20 years ago there was still unquestioned adherence to the “pump it and burn it” approach, today, innovative thinkers are providing a better, sustainable way to obtain the energy we need and Ecolution is at the forefront of that movement.

You’ll need a place outside your home where a unit can be fitted to a wall or placed on the ground. It must have some space around it to allow a good flow of air.

There are two types of air source heat pumps: monobloc and split systems. A monobloc system has all the components in a single outdoor unit, with pipes carrying water to the central heating system and a hot water cylinder inside your home. A split system separates the components between indoor and outdoor units. Whether a monobloc or split system is right for you will depend on your budget and the space available.

Monobloc systems tend to be cheaper and quicker to install and don’t take up as much space in your home, although they are generally slightly less efficient than split systems. The efficiency gain from split systems comes from some of the heat transfer taking place inside the building where it is warmer, resulting in less heat being lost.

If you’re not limited by space inside your home, it may be worth the extra cost of installing a split system. Your installer should be able to talk you through your options and help you choose the design that works best for you.

The external unit for a heat pump is identical for both monobloc and split heat pumps. Noise is created by large fans moving air across the heat exchanger.

Unless the heat pump is working very hard (ie in cold weather or producing high temperature water), you can expect the noise to be a similar volume to a fridge, if you were standing within a couple of metres. You could easily hold a normal conversation next to it, without raising your voice. As it gets colder outside, this noise will increase while it’s operating, but should still allow you to hold a conversation easily, only raising your voice a little.

The inside unit for a split system only contains valves and pumps and makes very little noise at all.

Most homes in the UK use radiators or underfloor heating to circulate hot water.

If you don’t currently have radiators or underfloor heating, you will have to decide whether you’d like to install them. This is a great opportunity to make sure the system is optimised for a heat pump, resulting in lower running costs.

A standard heat pump doesn’t provide hot water on demand like a combi boiler, so you will need a way of storing hot water for when you need it. The size of hot water cylinder required will depend on the amount of hot water that your household typically uses, but the cylinder can usually be fitted inside any cupboard that measures around 80x80cm.

If you don’t have space for a hot water cylinder, you still have options. Some hybrid systems are designed with the heat pump providing heating and a boiler providing hot water on demand. You could also consider installing a heat battery, which takes up less space than a hot water cylinder. Instantaneous hot water heaters are also available and can be installed under your kitchen sink to provide a smaller amount of hot water.

Running costs will depend on how your heat pump is designed and how it is operated. Savings on your energy bill will also depend on the system you are replacing.