Sustainable Energy Archives - Pinnacle Works Sussex

Investing in an Air Source Heat Pump vs an Ultra-Efficient Boiler: Practical Options for Your Budget

Mar 15, 2025 | Sustainable Energy

As experts in sustainable and high-performance home heating systems, we speak with an increasing number of homeowners interested in an air-source heat pump. This is often because their existing boiler needs replacing or has reached a stage where it simply isn’t working efficiently anymore.

Air source heat pumps are generally better suited to the vast majority of homes than a ground source heat pump – primarily because the latter requires a large area of land for installation and is more appropriate for bigger properties with ample outdoor space.

While heat pump systems have many benefits, it’s also important to review the right options. An A+++ rated gas boiler is far more efficient than an outdated model, and there are plenty of scenarios where an air source pump wouldn’t be the best bet given the cost of home improvements that are often necessary to augment insulation and heat retention.

Both options reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills and provide a great way to heat your home and water – and we’ve outlined some of the key considerations below to ensure you can make an informed decision.

The Pros and Cons of Air Source Heat Pumps vs Top-Rated Gas Boilers

Heat pumps have become a viable alternative to gas boilers. The air-sourced models we’re talking about extract ambient heat from outdoor air—even during cold weather—and use that via a heat exchanger to provide hot water and central heating.

The biggest advantages of air-source heat pumps relate to the following factors:

Efficiency: Heat pumps have ratings of between 300% and 400%, in contrast to the 90% to 94% efficiency available from most of the high-end gas boilers on the market. This is because gas boilers always lose a little heat through the flue, whereas a heat pump can generate around three or four times more heat for each kW of energy use.
Running costs: The higher efficiency of a heat pump means you’ll likely see your utility bills drop slightly. A caveat here is that current electricity prices—which are higher than gas—mean the differential isn’t perhaps as high as it has been previously, with the averages at the moment equating to a saving of about £150 for an average household and home.
Sustainability: Heat pumps utilise free and abundant ambient heat from the air. However, it’s important to clarify that they still rely on electricity to power the heat pump unit, so although they are more environmentally friendly, they aren’t totally running cost-free.
The lifespan of the pump: Better-quality heat pump models are expected to last 20 or more years, compared to around 10 to 15 years for a newly fitted boiler. It is, though, worth checking warranties because heat pumps can come with warranties for up to five years, whereas some boilers come with extended guarantees over a longer period.

A green, clean energy and low carbon footprint method of heating your home is an aspiration, but we recommend factoring in the practicalities and cost elements alongside the sustainability aspects.

Comparing the Costs of Gas Boilers and Air Source Heat Pumps

One area where high-efficiency modern boilers outperform air-source heat pumps is purchase costs. Although there are schemes that provide grants and discounts towards the cost of upgrading your central heating, a heat pump is unquestionably more expensive.

While prices depend heavily on multiple variables such as the size of your property, the number of occupants, and your heating and hot water demands, you’ll usually find that a top-rated gas boiler will cost around £3,000, with cheaper models available for less, compared to budgets of between £7,000 and £13,000 for an air source heat pump.

Of course, if you qualify for a grant or government incentives, that might mean the cost of either heating solution is fairly comparable, and as always, we’d suggest giving the Pinnacle Works team a call.

Many homeowners end up overpaying for a heat pump or boiler that is far too large and costs more to buy and run than it should, which is why independent advice is valuable.

Why Extensive Improvements Might Be Necessary Before Fitting a Heat Pump

We touched on the ‘hidden’ costs of a heat pump earlier, which is why low-carbon heating is often better suited to newer builds. To work as efficiently as possible, heat pumps need your home to have a high energy efficiency performance rating.

Older homes, particularly those that haven’t had any recent upgrades, can require retrospective work to improve several aspects of the insulation, which can add a fairly large amount to your budget. For example:

Good loft and wall insulation are essential because, without it, the heat produced by the air pump will dissipate quickly.
If you have older windows or double glazing that has stopped working properly, you may need to consider replacing them to avoid heat escaping through the glass.
Properties with basements may need to invest in floor insulation or underfloor heating to prevent rapid heat loss, and most homes will need air sealing if there are any drafts around windows, doors and other areas.

Insulation upgrades are important because heat pumps heat the water to a lower temperature than a boiler. Hence, any issues with insulation and heat retention mean it could be almost impossible to retain a comfortable inside temperature.

Generally, an air source heat pump is a brilliant upgrade. It can augment the market value of your home and, over a certain number of years, provide real returns in energy savings. However, if you’re not in a position to consider these other improvements, a top-rated boiler remains a great alternative.

How to Decide Whether an Air Source Heat Pump is Right for Your Home

Heat pumps represent a new way of heating your home and water. However, they aren’t universally suitable alternatives to a highly rated boiler.

That could be because a renewable energy heating system isn’t ideal at this point in time, you don’t have the space to install the outdoor unit, or you don’t have the time, budget, or inclination to invest in the type of home improvements heat pumps need to perform at their best.

If you need to make a quick decision and want to avoid spending thousands on a central heating system that isn’t the best fit for your needs, you are welcome to contact the Pinnacle Works team at any time.

Practical Aspects of a Sustainable Heat Pump Installation: Timescales, Locations and Costs

Feb 10, 2025 | Sustainable Energy

There is a lot to be said for the cost-savings, energy efficiency, and low-carbon appeal of a heat pump, with most homeowners opting for a compact air-source heat pump rather than a larger ground-source heat pump.

While both are great options, the latter is only suited to homes with ample outside space and the capacity to accommodate the pump and underground pipes; hence, an air-source heat pump being more practical for many.

The Pinnacle Works team frequently speaks with homeowners keen to upgrade their central heating system, add value to their home, or switch to an eco-friendly heat pump to reduce their property’s running costs—often when an older gas boiler is approaching the end of its life.

Today, we’ll discuss some of the many questions we receive about how the heat pump installation process works, how long it takes, where you can fit an air source heat pump, and some of the factors that could impact the cost.

The Basics of How an Air Source Heat Pump Works

If you’re unfamiliar with heat pumps, the general concept is that heat pumps extract ambient heat from the air or the ground to warm the water you use in your home for baths, showers, sinks, radiators, and underfloor heating.

Thermal energy is everywhere, and a heat pump draws in that energy and converts it into steam, either via an air-source heat pump, a ground-source heat pump, or, less often, a water-source heat pump.

It’s essential you look at other elements before proceeding since heat pumps are highly efficient but can only work optimally if your home is also well-insulated.

For instance, if you have outdated wall and loft insulation that causes considerable heat wastage or single or older double glazing, it’s often worth updating these assets first to ensure your heat pump returns the expected cost savings.

Many homeowners also consider replacing existing radiators with larger models, given that heat pumps run at a lower temperature than gas boilers. Underfloor heating is often recommended since this can add to the comfort and ambience of your home and works perfectly with a heat pump’s lower operating temperatures.

Aspects of Your Property That Will Dictate the Right Type of Heat Pump

We mentioned the size considerations for a ground source heat pump, and this is often a deciding factor. Ground-source heat pumps can be incredibly efficient but rely on a more intensive installation process.

Installation teams need to excavate a sizable area of land to install the piping deep underground, which means that for many modern homes, this isn’t practical or viable. That said, you are very welcome to contact the Pinnacle team if you are fortunate enough to have a large garden or area of land that could be suited to a ground-source heat pump system.

Air-source heat pumps remain more suitable for most. They can be installed either on the wall or on the ground, provided there is enough space for the unit itself and for air to circulate around the pump.

Although the main component is the unit that sits outside, you’ll also need to consider the placement of your hot water cylinder if you don’t already have one. Of course, we can advise on this during an obligation-free visit to ensure your home is suited to a heat pump and you have sufficient time to think about where you’d like all these components to go.

Installation Timescales: What to Expect When Having a Heat Pump Fitted

Step one is always a home visit, during which we’ll examine your home’s current energy loss and recommend the size, power, and model of heat pump that will best meet your property’s energy and heating requirements.

This ensures you avoid an undersized or oversized heat pump that will either cost more than it should or be unable to keep up with your heating and hot water needs.

If you’re planning on replacing older radiators with larger ones, fitting underfloor heating, or revamping your insulation, we’ll schedule the heat pump installation afterwards when your heating infrastructure is ready to capitalise on the benefits of a heat pump.

On the day itself, we’ll usually be able to complete the installation there and then, positioning the unit either against a wall or on a bracket and feeding the piping through from inside to out.

When the pump, wiring, pipes, and hot water cylinder have all been connected, we’ll run through a series of checks and tests to verify everything is working as it should and ensure you’re comfortable that you understand how to use the heat pump and know where all the components are.

Larger air source heat pumps or more extensive installations can take two or three days, but once the preparatory work has been completed, this isn’t usually a time-intensive job. We’d also recommend fitting a heat pump in the summer to ensure the short-term disruption when we disconnect your existing boiler doesn’t cause issues.

The Benefits and Cost Savings of a Heat Pump for an Energy-Efficient Home

Both ground-source and air-source heat pumps come in countless brands, sizes, and models. Although most have an energy efficiency rating of about 300%—three times the standard gas boiler—it’s also worth speaking to our independent teams to avoid overspending on a pump that is far larger than you need.

However, the biggest benefit is often the lower cost of running your home, without the need for regular maintenance and repair costs, and often at a lower expense than you’d expect to pay for an efficient gas boiler, especially if you’re able to apply for one of the heat pump grants currently available.

After you’ve had your heat pump fitted, you’ll usually be able to achieve a higher official Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. That means you can advertise your property as eco-friendly if you come to sell, and, overall, keep your home warm with plenty of on-demand hot water without anticipating heavy gas bills landing on your doormat every winter.

If you’d like more information about any aspect of the heat pump installation process or the details we’ve touched on here, you are welcome to contact the Pinnacle Works team to schedule a good time to talk.

Integrating Sustainable Energy Solutions Into Your Home

Apr 29, 2024 | Sustainable Energy

Thousands of homeowners across the UK are keen to find better ways to manage their energy demands, with a growing interest in sustainable construction, energy efficiency, heating retention and low-carbon technology.

With an increasing range of sustainable energy solutions and advanced ways to replace outdated glazing, insulation, and energy storage with eco-friendly alternatives, there are numerous potential switches you might make, whether you’d like to make a complete transition to renewable energy or find a few simple, affordable ways to be a bit greener.

Pinnacle Works offers a complete range of options based on your property, budget, and current energy usage, and we’ve outlined some of the popular services and energy production systems below to give you an idea of what’s possible.

Factors That Will Influence Your Choice of Sustainable Energy Solutions

The first area to clarify is that, since we’re talking about homes rather than commercial or industrial premises, some types of renewable energy aren’t practical. The norm is to find that:

Wind turbines, even smaller roof-mounted models, are only worth using in areas with continual high winds, such as those in coastal or island settings. Turbines of this size are not widely available, and the cost of installation may be prohibitive.
Geothermal energy systems, like ground source heat pumps, capture ambient heat from within the earth. Like turbines, this energy production system is only suitable in specific locations with a high geothermal gradient.

Most homeowners consider more accessible options like air source heat pumps and solar panels. However, you don’t necessarily have to make a drastic change to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and the national grid.

We begin by inspecting your property before making any suggestions. The right systems will always depend on the internal and external space available, local weather and wind conditions, your budget, the aspect of your roof, and the amount of energy you and your family use.

It’s essential to run through an assessment because even if you’ve decided to opt for a set of solar panels, the size of the cells, the type of energy storage battery, the optimal installation location and number of grids you need will differ significantly for a large property with multiple inhabitants and a smaller one or two bedroom home – as will the cost.

Air Source Heat Pumps for Residential Properties

Heat pumps are great options for homeowners keen to move away from conventional gas central heating systems. For most properties, an air-source heat pump is a preferable option. Although that might depend on your specific property, a ground-source heat pump is a much larger unit and requires a pretty substantial amount of outdoor space.

During the installation process, engineers need to lay a series of loops under the ground, which increases the cost of the unit and the work. In contrast, an air-source heat pump is suitable for almost any property with various pump sizes to suit your requirements.

Air source heat pumps absorb the ambient heat within the air around the exterior of your home – and that doesn’t mean they only work during the summer.

Instead, these sophisticated pumps operate similarly to a refrigerator in reverse, using a liquid within the pump that converts ambient air into a gas. That gas is compressed and generates the warmth you use to heat your water and home.

The benefits include reduced heating costs, greater energy independence, a lower carbon footprint, and a highly efficient, modern heating system that generates minimal noise and can be fitted anywhere with sufficient airflow.

Using Solar Power in Your Home

Our next option is to consider a set of solar panels that use photovoltaic conversion, or PV, to capture, store, and convert clean, free energy from the sun. Each solar panel comprises a series of solar cells, which generate an electric current that can feed energy to your home, a solar storage battery, or back into the national grid.

Like all sustainable energy solutions, there are numerous types, sizes, and costs of solar panels, so it’s important to assess the panels you will need. Most solar cells last up to 30 years, but you may need to have repairs completed on your roof, and solar panels work best installed on south-facing roofs with minimal shade.

We suggest fitting a solar battery alongside the solar cells. While that does carry an additional cost, the benefit is that all the solar energy captured by your panels remains available on demand rather than being wasted.

You can also choose to sell surplus renewable energy back to the national grid, which attracts a fixed-rate payment and can further reduce your home’s running costs.

Energy-Efficient Boilers

If you have an old, inefficient boiler and don’t have the budget or time to consider fitting an air source heat pump or set of solar panels, upgrading your boiler to a higher-rate, low-carbon alternative is also a great move towards sustainability.

Once boilers reach about ten or 15 years of usage, their efficiency declines quite steeply. This means you use more fossil fuel to maintain the same temperatures and usually have greater energy loss.

The best option is an A-rated boiler that offers the best possible energy efficiency, ensuring you use less fuel, whether gas or oil.

It’s also a great idea to chat with our team about any other improvements that might minimise your fuel needs, such as added insulation, upgraded flooring, more efficient radiators or improved glazing – all of which reduce utility costs and can help you achieve a higher energy performance rating if you’re thinking of selling.

Charging a Hybrid or EV Vehicle at Home

Finally, you might already drive a hybrid or electric vehicle (EV), and if you have somewhere around your property where you can fit an EV charger, you’ll make another move towards less energy usage.

Electric motors convert around 77% of electricity into movement, compared to about 30% for conventional fuelled vehicles. That means, even though you need electricity to charge the motor, you’re lowering your emissions, contributing to cleaner air, and optimising the power you use.

Installing an EV charger is relatively low-cost and quick, and some energy companies offer special reduced-rate tariffs or provide low electricity charges for overnight usage, which can help with fuel bills.

All of the suggestions here can help you save money, improve the warmth and efficiency of your home, reduce your carbon footprint, and ultimately achieve your aim of becoming more eco-friendly. If you’d like to learn more about installing solar panels or a heat pump, comparing more efficient boilers, or modifying your property, please contact the Pinnacle Works team anytime.

Benefits of Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps

Mar 24, 2022 | Sustainable Energy, Construction

There’s no escaping soaring energy prices, increasing living costs, and the fact that our properties are becoming ever-more expensive to heat, cool and run. Ground and air source heat pumps have been around for a decade, and are coming into their own as alternative heating devices with excellent benefits for the environment, and your bank balance.

Pinnacle Works is passionate about renewable energy and has extensive experience installing high-performance pumps that are fast, reliable, and economical.

What are Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps?

Many homeowners are unfamiliar with these eco-friendly heating appliances, but the concept is simple:

Pumps absorb environmental heat, converting it into a liquid.
The fluid is then compressed to a higher temperature.
That heat is used for central heating and to produce hot water.

The core difference between the two heat pumps is where the heat originates. As the names suggest, air pumps absorb heat from the air, whereas ground heat pumps rely on thermal heat in the ground. We’re often asked how this works, particularly given that we don’t enjoy the warmest climates in the UK! Even when it feels cold, quality heat pumps can still extract heat, and remain operational at sub-zero temperatures, with the ideal tolerance being 25 °C to -5 °C.

Without getting into the technicalities, a ground source heat pump utilises a network of underground pipes (called a loop) with the pump at ground level. Air source heat pumps absorb warmth from outside air using a liquid refrigerant. The compression and condensation process releases stored heat to warm your home and water.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Although the technology behind heat pumps is advanced, the installation is relatively straightforward.

Fitting an air heat pump is quite quick provided you work with a qualified installer, and the pumping and controls are similar to those used on your existing boiler. Ground source heat pumps are a little more involved because we lay a network of piping underground, which requires a certain amount of space.

If you’re interested in comparing these low-cost heating solutions, we can arrange a survey to offer advice about the suitability of each option.

We can install a heat pump in almost any home, but the right choice for you will depend on a few variables:

Insulation is key, and the pump must be correctly insulated to ensure it operates efficiently and doesn’t experience heat loss.
Most clients who opt for a ground source pump are either not reliant on the mains gas network or have a wider outdoor space.
Pumps can be fitted in properties of all ages, but renovated homes and new-builds can present higher energy efficiency ratings, making them ideal for an eco-friendly heat pump.

Average costs sit at around £7,000 – £13,000 for an air source heat pump, and between £14,000 and £19,000 for a ground source pump, with the cost differential owing to the external groundworks.

The investment balances out because a ground pump is a more efficient renewable energy source and produces greater cost savings and lower utility bills. It’s also worth noting that the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) provided higher financial incentives for ground source heat pumps. However, the current application round has closed and been replaced with a new scheme, which we’ll explain shortly.

The Benefits of Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps

The biggest advantage of a renewable heat pump over a conventional boiler is that it will undoubtedly reduce your household costs. A heat pump is significantly cheaper to run than any electrical heating system oil boiler and most gas boilers. Either type of pump is fully automated, so they have an advantage over biomass boilers, requiring much less work.

Other benefits of replacing an older boiler with a heat pump include:

Superior energy efficiency, with performance ratings of 200% to 400% higher than a standard heating system.
A substantially lower carbon footprint, with no emissions other than those at the point of electricity production – the compressors use very little electricity and non-harmful refrigerants that don’t impact the environment.
Condensation prevention, with automatic dehumidifying properties.
Improved air quality – the heat pump doesn’t burn anything to produce the warmth, so no fumes or smoke filter into the air.

Heat pumps are ideal for families with allergies, as the circulation process purifies the air and removes spores, odours, smoke, particles, and dust.

How Much Money a Heat Pump Could Save You

Much depends on your energy consumption and property, but you could stand to save:

Over £1,000 a year compared to electric heating systems.
Up to £570 a year if you use an LPG heating system.
Around £30 a year against oil or gas boilers.

Of course, with the energy price cap increasing this month by 54%, those statistics may soon multiply.

Government Heat Pump Grants

We mentioned the incentive scheme earlier, which closed on 31st March 2022 – but has been replaced with a more straightforward initiative.

This programme offers a £5,000 grant, or £6,000 towards the cost of a ground source heat pump, and covers any part of the supply or installation cost. The government won’t be accepting direct applications, but Pinnacle Works can apply to Ofgem (the energy regulator) on your behalf, securing a voucher confirming the grant value.

Due to launch this month, these grants are part of a £3.9 billion programme to encourage all households to switch to a low-carbon alternative by 2035.

Exterior Ground Source Heat Pump Case Study

If you’re looking at replacing an old boiler or inefficient heating system, an air or ground source heat pump is an outstanding option, providing long-term, low-carbon and cost-effective heating.

One of our recent commissions involved the installation of an exceptional ground source heat pump housed in a pump house with bespoke fitted oak doors. This example shows the aesthetic achievable, with internal ply lining and professional quality insulation to provide the ultimate energy-saving solution, with maximised pump efficiency. With subtle touches, such as bat boxes in the rafters to encourage local animals to relocate to the pump house, you can see the finished project via our social media HERE.

For more information about whether a renewable heat pump would be right for your property or to enquire about the best option and apply for a government grant, please contact Pinnacle Works at your convenience. Our skilled teams work closely with every client to ensure your finished pump meets every expectation, creating future-proof eco-homes that are as cost-effective as possible.