Air to Air Heat Pump: A Sustainable Solution for UK Homes

The Rising Demand for Air to Air Heat Pumps in the UK

The government of the UK is therefore working harder and putting efforts into reduction of carbon emissions in homes and increasing energy efficiency and here comes the increased adoption of installation of renewable energy systems. According to the comparative analysis of available technologies, Air to Air Heat Pump can be considered as a high-potential solution. These systems for which the installation of Solar PV is permitted under UK government schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) are an effective green solution for heating and cooling buildings. However, especially for those households which want to reduce their electricity costs and attract grants, air to air heat pumps would seem versatile and cost-efficient. In the meantime, for homeowners or landlords willing to benefit from government incentives, learning about the advantages of air to air heat pumps, installation procedure, and potential costs will be unavoidable. In this guide, you will learn about air to air heat pumps; costs associated with installation, possible savings, and how to make your home environment friendly.

What is an Air to Air Heat Pump?

An air to air heat pump is a system for moving heat directly from the outside air into the home to provide both heating and cooling as required. Unlike common heaters, these pumps are not powered by burning of fossil fuel products. However, they employ a refrigeration cycle to pull heat from outside air no matter the temperature is low and circulate it inside through a fan system.

How Does an Air to Air Heat Pump Work?

• Outdoor Unit: It suck air from outside, and this air blows over a refrigerant which in turn is used in the absorption of heat.
• Compressor: The refrigerant is compressed and its temperature goes up even higher.
• Indoor Unit: The hot gases are circulated through an array of coils preferably within the house and heat is released by use of fans to warm water.
• Cooling Option: In the same process during summer it flips to cool your home by removing indoor heat and expelling it out.

These systems are very effective mainly because of their a Coefficient of Performance (CoP) which in most cases equals 4. We therefore found that for every watt of electricity consumed the pump can generate 4 watts of heat in the process making it more efficient than conventional heating processes.

Air to Air Heat Pump Cost in the UK

The prices of putting up air to air heat pump in the UK differ due to several factors including the size of the property to be covered, complexity of installation, and the type of heat pump to be used.

Average Installation Costs

• Small Home (1-2 bedrooms): £2,400 – £4,000
• Medium Home (3-4 bedrooms): £5,000 – £7,500
• Larger Homes (4+ bedrooms): £7,500 – £8,800

The installation cost is generally lower for air to air heat pumps compared to other systems such as air to water heat pumps, mainly because it involved no need for radiators and under floor heating. The installation process is not complicated, whereby an individual is required to connect an outdoor unit and numerous indoor units that circulate air.

Running Costs

From the point of the view of costs of operation these air to air heat pumps prove to be efficient. A typical 1-3 bedroom home was expected to cost between £900 and £1,700 per year including the cost of energy consumption as well as property insulation.

Government Grants for Air to Air Heat Pumps

The financial incentives offered by the UK government to promote the widespread of greener technologies can be summarized as follows: The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is perhaps the most famous grant where you can reclaim up to £7,500 of cost related to air source heat pumps inclusive of air to air systems.

Eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

• Our services are accessible to home owners and landlords within the region of England and Wales.
• The property cannot be recommended to have any level of loft or cavity wall insulation as stated by an EPC.
• A heat pump can only be installed in a new or existing building where a fossil fuel heating system, for example, a gas or oil boiler currently exists.

Other regional funding and interest-free financing available includes Warmer Homes Scotland as well as the Home Energy Scotland Scheme besides the BUS.

Air to Air Heat Pump Installation Process

Air to air heat pump installation is a fairly simple task that can be done quite fast, which is considerably faster than for instance air to water heat pumps. Here's a breakdown of the key steps involved:

• Assessment: Certified installer will first need to assess the space of your home in order to determine the right size and locations of the heat pump units.
• Indoor Units: Indoor units can be of wall mounted or ceiling mounted and is installed in the rooms that requires air conditioning.
• Outdoor Unit: The outdoor unit is situated outside your home, on a wall or even on the ground.
• Connection: It is connected to the indoor units with the help of refrigerant pipes and electrical cable.
• Testing: When everything is set, the system is thoroughly checked to determine if it’s working correctly and fast.

The whole process normally lasts a day or two depending on the other installations that are involved and the number of units that are to be installed.

Benefits of Air to Air Heat Pumps

• Energy Efficiency: Newer condensing systems have a CoP of 4 and greater, making them much more epensive than conventional boilers.
• Dual Functionality: An air to air heat pump can heat during the wintertime and cool during the summertime, so this system can be utilized all year round.
• Lower Carbon Emissions: Through efficient use of renewable energy, the air to air heat pumps enable one to minimize carbon footprint in his or her home.
• Cost Savings: Due to the efficiency of these systems, they can lead to sizeable reduction in costs of energy, especially when it is changing outdated and beginning heating system.
• Quick Installation: As it will be illustrated essentially, the installation process is fast and does not require significant alterations to the home.

Challenges of Air to Air Heat Pumps

While air to air heat pumps offer numerous advantages, there are some challenges to consider:

• Lower Heat Output: Air to air heat pumps may, therefore, deliver less heat than normal gas, oil boilers or other heating systems at lower temperatures as in freezing conditions.
• Dust and Air Quality: As the system requires fans to pass the air, then the air carries dust and even allergens that may affect those with respiratory problems.
• Additional Insulation: This might mean that homes may have to gain certain efficiencies such as insulation which could be a later addition if your house is old.

Is an Air to Air Heat Pump Right for Your Home?

Potential buyers of air to air heat pump should ensure they make the right decision on whether their home is appropriate for this revolutionized technology before they proceed and out policy their homes. Things like insulation, the size of your house, and even the kind of heating system that you have will determine the efficiency of the pump.

To help you judge suitability, ByEco has a home assessment service in its range. When we have inspected the overall efficiency of your home, we are able to advise you on which type of heat pump is most appropriate for your home, as well as assist you with the purchase and installation of the same.

Complete our form or reach out to us directly to upgrade your property with our eco-friendly solutions, all at absolutely no cost for qualifying households.