Are you thinking about installing a heat pump in your home? Heat pumps are becoming more and more prevalent in today’s heating and cooling world, especially as we edge closer to the colder months of the year. Both environmentally friendly and versatile, heat pumps work by simply moving air from one area to another, saving you many costs when it comes to home heating.
In this blog we will explore whether a heat pump is the right choice for your home, looking at many factors. By the end, you should have a better understanding, and hopefully be able to make an informed decision as to whether an electric heat pump is the right choice for you this winter!
What is a Heat Pump?
A Heat pump is a type of air conditioning that extracts heat from one source and transfers that heat into your home. It is quite a simple system really, unlike traditional heating methods, heat pumps move heat from one point to another without needing to create a heat source. They transfer heat from a cool space to a warm space by transferring thermal energy using a refrigeration cycle, cooling the cool space and warming the warm space.
How do Heat Pumps Work?
So, how does a heat pump work? Through a compressor and a circulating structure of either liquid or gas refrigerant, heat is extracted from natural sources. For example, the soil in your garden, or the air itself. There are different kinds of pumps that operate in different ways, some take heat from the air, some from the ground, and some are a hybrid model. We go on to those specifics later!
What most people overlook is that heat pumps also work in reverse! So while they are both brilliant tools for warming, they work incredibly well in the summer to cool you off. So although you will be using it mainly to generate heat for the next few months, when summer comes around, you will be ready for a cooling option too! You can access the best of both worlds when it comes to your home heating options.
Why Get a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps have many benefits, from financial to environmental. Here are some of the most significant benefits.
1. Energy Efficiency
Heat pumps are one of the most energy-efficient heating solutions available, using significantly less energy than traditional heating systems
2. Eco-Friendliness
Heat pumps are leading the way for eco-friendly heating, a key technology for ‘decarbonising’ our homes. By using electricity rather than burning fossil fuels, heat pumps produce zero carbon emissions.
If you are thinking environmentally, it makes sense to invest in heat pump technologies.
3. Versatility
Because they can both cool and heat, you are hitting two birds with one stone. With this one technology, you can keep your home comfortable all year round.
4. Comfort
Due to their incredibly consistent heating, you are far less likely to get fluctuations in heat. This means that your comfort will never be disturbed as it might be with more traditional heating systems. The heat distribution is also very even due to the nature of the hot or cool air convection currents.
Newer models are also equipped with Wi-Fi, meaning you can operate them from outside of your home, or without getting up to fiddle with buttons. From the comfort of your armchair, you can change the temperature. Or, if you know you will be coming home and it’s particularly chilly, you can tell your heat pump to come online and get things toasty for your return.
5. Long-Term Cost Savings
While there is an upfront cost of a heat pump (just like any new setup!), the long-term savings on your energy bill will start to pay off. Due to their efficient nature, much less energy is lost creating the heat, meaning that more energy is saved. Over a prolonged period of time, you should notice a definite change in your bank account.
Is it Right for Your Home?
So, is it right for your home? Do you have enough space on the outside wall of your home for one to be installed? Keep in mind the pump will need enough room to access the air around your house to extract the heat.
You might be wondering if your type of housing comes into play. At TKR we cater to a wide variety of different housing. If you live in a park home, for instance, this is a great setup for a heat pump to be installed. Because it has lots of space for airflow, and plenty of room for installation, a park home is an ideal candidate. Don’t be surprised if your neighbours follow suit! If you do have good airflow and an appropriate place for installation, you’re good to go!
Choosing the Right Heat Pump
There are several units to choose from, which one suits you best is up to a few different factors.
Air source
In a moderate climate like the UK, an air source heat pump can do the job well. The unit is normally fitted to the side of your home, allowing it to suck in air from the outside, and then transferring the heat by means of compression and conductive copper tubing.
When your home then requires heating, the liquid refrigerant in the outside coil extracts the heat from the air. This causes it to evaporate, passing inside the coil where the gas returns to a liquid. This reaction provides the warmth that is then delivered to your home.
This kind of pump has become much more energy efficient over the recent years, meaning they can now provide a significant difference to your energy bills. This is the type of heat pump that we at TKR install for our customers.
Ground Source
As an alternative to air, the ground also contains heat that can be extracted. The energy from the Sun is stored in the soil and water, and using a heat pipe laid into the earth, the pumps can utilise this heat to their advantage.
This kind of pump is more energy efficient than air pumps, as the temperatures below the ground are usually more stable.
However, the ground pump needs much more work to install. Significant excavation work is required to lay the piping. It would also require much more space to do so. You would have to also own the surrounding space to excavate.
Hybrid Systems
A hybrid system combines another pump with a traditional heating system, much like a hybrid car. This allows for maximum efficiency! Homeowners who already have another heat source won’t need to change their radiators if they were to install it.
You can also get a mix of ground and air, which intelligently decides which source to extract heat from given the time of day. When the air is colder outside, it draws on the ground source energy, and when the ground is colder, it reverses.
Conclusion – Does a heat pump suit your home?
A heat pump can provide many benefits for your home, including energy efficiency, cost saving, eco-friendliness, and comfort all year round! By considering the factors discussed in this article, you can decide for yourself whether a heat pump is the right choice for your home’s specific needs.
With proper maintenance and care, a heat pump can service you and your family all year round for many years to come. If you want to learn more about heat pumps or are interested in having one fitted yourself, don’t hesitate to contact TKR!