Are you considering switching to an air source heat pump? Want to know what all the fuss is about? Need to find out if they save on energy bills?
Saving Superstar is here to help.
As part of my own research into whether I should switch from gas central heating to an air source heat pump, I have uncovered a lot of useful information.
Information you may be able to use yourself to save on energy bills.
What is an air source heat pump?
The drive to net zero is forcing us to consider alternatives to the traditional heating options. As we move away from fossil fuels, we need something else.
Air source heat pumps are the most likely option right now.
There are three main types of pumps:
- Air to air heat pumps, that heat the air rather than water
- Air to water heat pumps that use air to warm water for heating
- Air to water heat pumps that use air to warm water for heating and hot water
#2 is the most popular option right now. #3 is also popular.
An air source heat pump is like a reverse air conditioner. It takes warm air from outside your home and passes it through a compressor.
The air is compressed, which generates heat. That heat is used to warm water through a heat exchanger and sent around the home using your existing pipes and radiators.
The unit usually sits outside the property and is joined to your central heating systems using pipes. There will be a water tank to store the warmed water, which will feed the central heating.
The system is typically quiet, especially newer models and are outside anyway so you shouldn’t hear it much.
Do air source heat pumps work in winter?
If you’re anything like me, your first question will be something like, ‘if air source heat pumps take warmth out of the air, do they work in winter?’
Winter is when you would need your heating the most, so how does everything work?
The short answer is yes, air source heat pumps do still work in winter. They aren’t as effective, or as efficient, but they do work.
Most new air source heat pumps can work at up to -10° C. Newer compressors still manage to produce credible heat even when it’s cold outside.
How effective they are will depend where you live, average winter temperatures, the thermal efficiency of your home and size of the air source heat pump.
How much do air source heat pumps cost?
Now to the next big question, how much do air source heat pumps cost?
An air source heat pump can cost anywhere between £8,000 and £18,000. That sounds a lot, and it is, but that’s not much more than a standard gas boiler replacement.
The variation in cost is because the installation has to be configured to the specific property.
Older homes that don’t have much insulation will need a larger pump to keep it warm. Larger properties may need one or more pumps.
If you don’t have a hot water tank, you’ll need one of those and you’ll need to insulate your home as much as possible to be able to stay sufficiently warm.
That’s a lot of cash!
Fortunately, there are grants around. The government Boiler Upgrade Scheme can help with up to £5,000 towards the price.
There is also VAT reduction in place for energy-saving products.
Your local council may also have options depending on where you live. It’s well worth investigating if you’re planning an upgrade.
How much can air source heat pumps save on energy bills?
You will make the investment in an air source heat pump back, but it may take a while. Much will depend on what you have now and how much you’re paying for gas or electricity.
The Energy Savings Trust estimates the average household could save up to £375 per year on heating.
That’s an average. The more you pay for heating now, the more you’ll save.
If you have solar panels, or are planning a total green upgrade, you may save even more money as you’re essentially powering your air source heat pump for free during daylight hours.
More if you’re installing a solar battery system as you can power your pump 24/7 using renewable energy.
What you need to know about air source heat pumps
I know I left it a little late, but I wanted to explain what air source heat pumps were and how they worked before I got into any detail.
The one thing many people seem to be mistaken with, is that air source heat pumps are not necessarily cheaper to run than a gas boiler.
Their intent is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions.
The intent is not to save you money. It is to push us towards net zero.
According to EDF, an air source heat pump could save up to 10 tonnes of CO2 over 10 years. Per household.
How much they cost to run depends on the size and efficiency of the pump, how much you’re paying for electricity or whether you’re generating your own.
Pros and cons of air source heat pumps
The subject of air source heat pumps is a big one and I’m just providing the basics here. To condense it even more, here are the pros and cons of air source heat pumps.
Pros:
- Lower carbon footprint
- Lower or remove dependency on gas
- Can heat the home and hot water
- Very efficient, can product 3-4 units of energy per 1 unit of electricity used
- Minimally invasive installation in most homes
- Low maintenance
- Operating life of up to 25 years
- Can work out very cheap if you have solar panels
- Save significantly compared to LPG or oil heating
Cons:
- Cannot generate instant heat
- Property requires good insulation
- Loses efficiency at lower temperatures
- Savings depend on electricity prices vs gas
- Older models can be noise, newer ones not so much
Do air source heat pumps save on energy bills?
So now to the big question, do air source heat pumps save money and save on energy bills?
Yes and no.
Yes, air source heat pumps do make sense in that they are efficient and can significantly lower your carbon footprint.
They definitely make sense if you need to upgrade your boiler anyway or have solar panels.
No, in that they cost a lot to install, they don’t provide instant heat and any cost savings depend entirely on how much you pay for electricity.
But, at the end of the day, we don’t have much choice. The government has mandated no new fossil fuel boilers will be allowed to be sold after 2025.
Once your boiler reaches end of life, you’ll have to upgrade. Whether it’s to an air source heat pump or something else depends on what’s available at the time.
But, at these prices, you had better start saving now!
