How Heat Pumps Work: A Complete Guide

With a recent hike in energy prices, many people are looking for alternative ways to heat their homes instead of using gas boilers. Renewable energy technology enables you to save money and become more environmentally friendly but with many options available it can be overwhelming to decide which renewable energy solution is right for you. So we will be answering what is an air source heat pump and how they work to help you decide if this renewable technology will work for your property. 

Air source heat pumps use the outside air temperature to extract heat that you can use throughout your property’s radiators or underfloor, wall and ceiling heating. Remaining heat can also be stored in a hot water cylinder which you can then use for hot water for showers, baths and taps. 

So let’s get into the details; The air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air into a refrigerant fluid. Once the heat is extracted from the air, it passes through a compressor which increases its temperature and condenses it back into a liquid to release the stored heat. The heat is then transferred to your home, ready for use. 

Air source heat pumps are simple to install and will heat single or multiple rooms or for the whole house. They are ideal for heating home offices, lounges, bedrooms and some systems allow you to set rooms to a different temperature by remote control or phone app. 

You can also reduce your carbon footprint with air source heat pumps. Some electricity energy is required for the heat pumps to work, however it is a more environmentally friendly option than traditional heat pumps as only 20 to 25% of the total energy is used during the process.

Although an expensive investment, air source heat pumps are cost effective due to reduced long term running costs. The running costs will be dependent on the size and insulation levels of your home, the type of distribution system you have and the temperature you want in your rooms. 

These heat pump systems usually have a working life of 15 years or more and require little maintenance so you can be confident that they work efficiently with just a professional service annually. They work better in well-insulated properties as they are able to retain the heat that has been generated by the pump and the temperatures get up to the level you want easier. You will also need suitable space outside for them to be installed so that the air can circulate. 

They are designed to run for long periods of time so you don’t need to worry about turning them off throughout the day. Compared to electric heating being 100% efficient, heat pumps are at least 400% efficient. Air source heat pumps can also operate in cold weather too and can go down to -15 degrees. The average UK temperature is 2C, so plenty of heat is available. In fact, depending on the model of your air source heat pump, they can be used for both heating in the colder winter months and cooling in the warm summer months. 

Usually heat pumps can range from £6,000-£13,000 with air to air from just £1450, depending on the size and model. If you are interested in having a heat pump installed, contact your local Herefordshire specialists on 01432 683849  

Installing Air Source Heat Pumps With Three Counties Heat Pumps Ltd

At 3 Counties we install air source heat pumps to help customers embrace renewable energy technologies and become more self-sufficient with their energy use. With over 20 years experience, you can count on us to provide you with a professional service at a competitive price. 

Once your air source heat pump is installed, we also offer heat pump servicing to help maintain the efficiency of your system. To find out more information on air source heat pump systems, contact us today or drop us an email over at sales@threecountiesheatpumps.co.uk

Many homes are now investing in air conditioning units so that they can enjoy a comfortable home climate all year round. Split systems are the most popular type of air to air heat pump air conditioning units which have split systems- one indoors and one outdoors so that they can provide both heating and cooling.  

The home air conditioning systems work through the outdoor unit extracting heat from the air outside before transferring it inside through the indoor unit so that it can be distributed through a quiet fan system. The same process is used for cooling but in reverse. These systems are ideal to be installed in home offices, lounges and bedrooms where you will be spending a lot of time and want to benefit from maximum comfort. This is achieved by the air conditioning system cleaning and filtering the air in the room whilst removing dust, pollen and contaminants Panasonic units have a built in Air Purifier too which removes bacteria and viruses and can improve skin quality and dry eye symptoms.  

At Three Counties Heat Pumps we install room or whole home air conditioning to homes across Hereford, Wye Valley and Monmouth areas.. Offering you the latest energy efficient air conditioning heat pumps systems from industry leading brands such as Panasonic, Samsung, Mitsubishi and Fujitsu.  

Before going forward with an air conditioning installation, ideally you need to make sure your home is properly insulated so that there is minimal heat loss as effective insulation can help reduce the size and cost of the heat pump air conditioner. You will also need to see whether you have sufficient outdoor space for your heat pump unit to be installed as it will need proper ventilation and airflow.  

So what are the benefits of air conditioning? 

*Low cost heating

*Low cost cooling

*Air filtration

*Control from your phone

*Very quick to work

*Quiet & discreet

*Helps production