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For instance, if you have outdated wall and loft insulation that causes considerable heat wastage or single or older double glazing, it’s often worth updating these assets first to ensure your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