An air source heat pump serves is an alternative method for heating your home. By using one, you can reduce your environmental footprint and potentially lower your energy bills over time.
Air source heat pumps work by taking heat from the outside air and using it to raise the temperature within your home.
Heat pumps look like air-conditioning units, and their size varies based on the amount of heat required for your home—generally, the greater the heat demand, the larger the heat pump will be.
Operating temperature: Heat pumps provide warmth at lower temperatures compared to gas and oil boilers. As a result, they may need to operate for extended periods to reach a comfortable temperature in your home.
Cost savings: A heat pump has the potential to decrease your heating costs, but this largely depends on what system you are replacing—particularly those that are more expensive to operate, such as electric storage heaters, oil or coal. Additionally, the efficiency of your heat pump and whether you are on a heat pump tariff will also play a significant role.
You can download our current literature about Air Source Heat Pumps by clicking on the link below.
5 top tips for using your Air Source Heat Pump
- Take time to fully understand your heating controls and how to best set up the heat pump in line with your daily routine.
- Allow the annual service arranged by Saffron Housing to take place every 12 months. This ensures that everything is running at maximum efficiency and any faults are fixed.
- The harder a heat pump has to work, the more electricity it will use. For the most cost effective results, set your controls to provide a lower temperature over a longer period of time. Most controllers have a night-time setting called “Set back”. This has the heating running at a lower temperature overnight, and then set to increase the temperature when you wake, and start moving about in the morning.
- Make sure there are no items obstructing the external unit so that a steady flow of air is maintained. This includes removing any snow or ice that might accumulate over the vents during the winter.
- Move onto the most economic electricity tariff from your utility provider and make them aware that you have an ASHP as some providers have specific renewable tariffs.
Maintaining your Air Source Heat Pump
Heat pumps run much more efficiently and smoothly when they are kept clear of items on all sides.
Air source heat pumps run much more efficiently and smoothly when they are kept clear of items on all sides. Obstructions can potentially cause damage to heat pumps, especially at the back where airflow is critical.
Items to keep away from your heat pump include:
- Furniture
- Rubbish bags/recycling bins
- Toys
- Hoses and other gardening equipment
- Stacked items
- Plants, grass, and weeds. These should be trimmed back around the pump.
Overgrowth of plants, weeds and grass can:
- Grow into the unit itself and cause damage
- Obstruct airflow and reduce efficiency
- Make it difficult for engineers to access the pump for servicing and repairs.