Air Source Heat Pumps - A greener way to heat your home

A greener way to heat your home

So, what is an Air source Heat Pump?

Heat pumps have been around for longer than you might think.

The first heat pump system was developed and built in the 1800s and the science behind it has been developing and improving ever since.

Today, heat pumps are considered the most efficient heating system on the market. They are highly cost effective and very environmentally friendly too.

ASHPs work by extracting heat energy from the air, which is then directed throughout your home via either a dedicated hot water cylinder and radiators, or underfloor heating system.

Due to the ASHP’s ability to operate consistently at low temperatures make them very efficient, up to 300% in fact. This is over three times more efficient than a conventional gas boiler, which run at an average of 92% efficiency.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Air Source Heat Pumps are covered by the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which allows homeowners who choose to install Heat Pumps up to £5000 towards the installation cost.

This is part of an ongoing government pledge to encourage homeowners in the UK to switch to cleaner energy sources. A total of £450 million has been allocated to the scheme across three years from 2022 – 2025 to offer grants to those who choose to make the change.

The £5000 grant available to those who install heat pumps covers roughly 50% of the average installation cost and is available as up-front funding which is applied for by the contractor and deducted from any quotations offered.

Things to consider when installing an Air Source Heat Pump

Although ASHPs are suitable for most properties, there are some factors to think about when considering if your home is compatible.

Some outside space is required. The heat pump itself is not particularly big, normally between 1 and 1.5 metres high, and between 0.5 and 1 metre wide, roughly the size of the average washing machine. So long as there’s enough space for the outside unit itself and room to allow for proper ventilation, you should be good to go.

ASHPs work particularly well with underfloor heating systems, but this is not a requirement in order to consider one. As long as your property is well insulated, a heat pump should

work just fine. If you’re looking to make your property more energy efficient all round, it might be worth considering improving insulation quality, upgrading your radiators or installing an underfloor heating system as part of your ASHP installation.

If your neighbours are very close by or the properties share a party wall, noise levels are another thing to take into account. ASHPs are not particularly loud but they do produce some noise while they’re working. For most properties this won’t pose a problem, but it may be a factor in deciding where to position the outside unit.

Thinking of going ahead?

If you’re considering an ASHP or are looking for a quote, we provide free site surveys, and are happy to answer any questions you might have.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of the team

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Signs it may be time to replace your boiler

by L MYERS • 13 June 2022

The average life span of a boiler is 10-15 years, after this their efficiency decreases, you might start to run into some problems, and they could start increasing your energy bill. Here are a few signs that it might be time to have an engineer look at your boiler, or time to consider an upgrade: Intermittent hot water: Do your taps run hot only to go could after a couple of minutes? Intermittent or inconsistent hot water, it could indicate a problem with your boiler. (Be sure to check your thermostat isn’t turned all the way down!) Low water pressure or flow: If you notice a change in the water pressure or water flow in your home, this could be gradual or sudden, it could indicate a leak or an issue with one of your boiler's components. Keeping your boiler regularly serviced can help to increase its lifespan and detect any developing problems early, before they become more serious or even dangerous. Cold spots on your radiators or underfloor heating: If you feel like your home isn’t as warm as it was, or there are noticeably colder areas throughout the property, this may mean that there in an issue with circulation from either your boiler or a part of your central heating system or a fault with the boiler itself. Depending on the diagnostics, the solution could be anything from a simple boiler repair to power flushing the heating system or even a boiler replacement. Noise coming from the boiler: Although it is normal for your boiler to emit a low humming noise when turned on, there are some noises that can indicate a problem if you hear them. Loud gurgling, whistling or banging noises are all signs that something is not quite right. Even if the noise disappears after a few hours or days, it’s still important to get it checked, as it could be a sign of a more serious issue. Water leaking from the boiler: Boiler leaks are often a sign of a faulty seal or valve within your boiler, they can also be caused by corrosion that might not be visible to a non-professional. If you find a boiler leak, it’s important to have it fixed as soon as possible, water leaking on the inside of your boiler can cause serious problems and dramatically reduce the lifespan of your boiler. It can also put the electrical components of the boiler at risk. Other signs to look for are if the pilot light keeps going out (this will be if you’ve got a boiler on the older side), or if you find you’re constantly having to top up your boiler pressure. When booking an engineer’s visit, always make sure that you use a Gas Safe registered company, and that the engineer who provides your diagnostics is fully qualified. Safe Gas and our engineers are Gas Safe registered, and our team regularly undergo supplementary training to build on their knowledge and make sure they can deliver the best possible service. We offer diagnostics from £75+VAT and boiler installations from £2,250 +VAT. If you would like to get in touch about diagnostics or to arrange a free site survey, please get in touch with one of our friendly team who will be happy to assist.