An Air Source Heat Pump Can Be a Cost-Effective and Low-Carbon Alternative to Furnaces and Boilers
An Air Source Heat Pump Can Be a Cost-Effective and Low-Carbon Alternative to Furnaces and Boilers
An air source heat pump is a low-carbon alternative to furnaces and boilers that uses the outside air to heat or cool your home.
An ASHP works by converting the ambient air into electricity, using a refrigerant cycle that moves heat without creating any carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxide.
Cost
An air source heat pump can be a cost-effective space heating option for well-insulated homes and businesses. It’s also an environmentally friendly and low-carbon alternative to natural gas and LPG.
These systems are able to use the heat from outside your home or business, as long as it’s above 0degC, to keep your house warm in the winter. Compared to ground-source heat pumps, which use the warmth of the ground or water to heat your property, they can produce significantly larger energy savings in the coldest weather as they’re much more efficient at capturing and using the heat from the air that’s outside.
They can save you up to PS1,590 a year (depending on your local area) compared to using mains gas for heating. You can also get some government support, in the form of incentives and tax breaks, if you install an air source heat pump as part of your heating system.
The amount of money you can save will depend on how insulated your home is, what type of distribution system you have, and the Coefficient of Performance of your heat pump. To make the most of your air source heat pump, you should also add adequate wall and loft insulation to your home.
In addition, you should have your heating system sized to match the heat output of your air source heat pump. You should be aware that heat pumps can be noisy, so you should locate the outdoor unit away from windows and adjacent buildings.
Ensure that the air source heat pump you choose has an ENERGY STAR rating to get the most energy efficiency out of it. It should also have a demand-defrost control to minimize defrost cycles, which can save on supplementary heat and electricity.
Air source heat pumps come in a variety of sizes to suit different types of buildings, with some models being ductless and others being ducted. Ductless systems are ideal for retrofit applications where a home doesn’t have ductwork or for new homes that don’t need an extensive distribution system.
Energy Efficiency
An air source heat pump can be a very efficient way to warm your home or business. It can also be a great way to reduce your electricity air source heat pump costs, as it does not use gas or oil. In addition to saving money on your energy bills, an air source heat pump can improve your indoor comfort and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that enters your home, which is harmful to your health.
An air-source heat pump uses a refrigerant to transfer heat from the outside air to your home or building. The refrigerant is pumped through the heat pump’s coils, which are located inside and outside the home. The refrigerant absorbs heat energy from the air, which it stores in the refrigerant as latent heat. When it is heated, the refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas (or vapor).
The gas heats up and expands into a larger bubble of pressured air. This air is transferred to your home through ductwork, and your central heating system or radiators can use this heat to warm the space.
In colder climates, the heating efficiency of an air source heat pump can be significantly reduced by the outdoor temperature. However, newer models can be very effective in moderate climates and even in extremely cold weather.
When selecting a heat pump for your home or building, consider how much space you need to heat. This will determine the size and number of air handlers that are needed to provide enough heat for your space.
Another important factor is the type of heat pump you choose. There are two different types: air to air and air to water.
Air to air heat pumps are used for space heating by extracting heat from the outdoors and distributing it through a fan or via your central heating system to supply hot water, radiators or underfloor heating.
The most energy efficient air-source heat pumps have a high seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and a heating season performance factor (HSPF). A SEER is the measure over an average cooling season of the total heat removed from a conditioned space, expressed in Btu, divided by the total electrical energy consumed by the heat pump, expressed in watt-hours.
Noise
Depending on the brand, type and installation, the noise created by an air source heat pump can range from 40-60 decibels. That’s lower than the noise of a fossil fuel boiler and even quieter than most ductless heating systems.
If your heat pump is making noise that’s outside of the norm, it might be time to call in a professional HVAC contractor to evaluate the air source heat pump issue and decide whether you need repairs or a new unit. If you can’t figure out the cause of the noise, there are a few things you can try to reduce the volume.
First, make sure the heat pump is working properly and that it’s not in an area where it will disturb your neighbors or other nearby properties. It’s also a good idea to install the unit far enough away from any bedrooms or other rooms that may hear it.
Another way to lessen the amount of noise is by installing vibration insulation damper mounts and compressor sound blanket wraps, both of which are designed to muffle vibrations that are caused by the movement of a heat pump. These can be a great solution for older units that are noisy due to age or the fact they were manufactured with a louder sound in mind.
Finally, if you’re hearing rattling or clicking sounds from the unit, it could be a sign of loose parts in the system or damage to the ductwork. Tightening any bolts or screws that might be loose should help to eliminate these sounds, but if it doesn’t solve the problem, you might need to hire a professional to repair the problem.
In general, the noises that come from your heat pump are completely normal and should only last a few minutes. However, if you notice a long period of rattling or clicking sounds that occur when the unit is starting up or shutting down, it might be a sign of a problem with the fan blades. These can be damaged if a foreign object hits the fan blades, so it’s a good idea to have them replaced as soon as you notice them.
Maintenance
An air source heat pump can be used for both heating and cooling, but they require special attention to ensure that they run efficiently and safely. A well-maintained system will last up to 20 years and be able to save you money in the long run.
An important part of an air source heat pump’s maintenance schedule is cleaning the filter and replacing it if it’s getting too dirty. Dirt can clog up the system, leading to less efficient operation and higher energy bills.
Technicians will also check the ductwork to make sure there aren’t any obstructions that could be causing airflow problems. If there’s a problem, it can impact the efficiency of your entire system and could even lead to costly repairs down the road.
Another essential part of an air source heat pump’s routine maintenance is checking the refrigerant levels. The refrigerant – a liquid that absorbs heat from the air and transfers it to a gas – is critical for the system’s overall efficiency, so it’s important to maintain it correctly.
A heat pump’s main components, such as compressors, motors, and blower wheels, must be properly lubricated to function efficiently and prevent wear and tear. When technicians inspect the lubrication level of these components, they’ll add oil if necessary.
When an air source heat pump malfunctions, it can lead to high energy costs and a compromised comfort experience for the people living in the home. It can also be a safety hazard, so it’s crucial to have the equipment checked by a qualified professional every year.
During a service, technicians will remove the access panel and examine all of the electrical and mechanical parts inside the unit. They will also inspect the ductwork, fan blades, and coils to make sure that all are in working order.
Besides these general checks, technicians will also examine any belts that run the system. Belts can become worn and broken over time, so they need to be inspected by technicians to ensure that they’re in good condition and tight enough to work effectively.
