Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are an increasingly popular choice for homeowners, and it’s easy to see why. These systems create heat from the outside air and use it to warm your home and water, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional heating systems.
However, investing in an ASHP isn’t a decision to take lightly. Before making this investment, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure an ASHP is suitable for YOUR home.
Here are just some of the questions we think you should be asking:
- Is my home suitable for an air source heat pump?
Air source heat pumps don’t work in every home. They work best in well-insulated properties. If your property isn’t adequately insulated and you don’t plan to improve the insulation, you could end up with reduced efficiencies associated with this way of heating your home.
You’ll also need some outside space for the unit.
So, you should start by asking yourself two fundamental questions. The first is – is my home fully insulated, including walls, floors and lofts and if not, am I prepared to make the necessary changes? And second, do I have space for the outdoor unit? NOTE – You’ll typically only need a space of around 1–2 square metres.
- What are the costs and incentives?
Installing an ASHP can be a significant upfront investment, but long-term savings and government incentives can help offset the costs. Here are just some of the things you need to consider:
What’s the installation cost, and how does it compare to other systems?
What grants are available and am I likely to qualify?
How much will it cost to run and what savings can I expect compared to my current heating system?
- Will it work efficiently with my existing heating system?
ASHPs typically provide heat at lower temperatures than traditional boilers. This makes them most effective with underfloor heating or larger radiators. Because of this, you need to be asking if you’ll need to upgrade your radiators or install underfloor heating. And also, it’s worth considering whether your current hot water cylinder’s compatible, or if you’ll need a new one.
- What maintenance is required?
ASHPs are relatively low-maintenance but still require some ongoing care to function optimally. Before taking the plunge, it’s worth finding out how often the system you’re considering needs to be serviced, what its expected lifespan is and how that compares with other options.
- Who will you choose to install the system?
It goes without saying that proper installation is crucial for ensuring efficiency and longevity of an ASHP. This is why it’s really important to ask these basic questions of anyone you’re considering adding to your installer shortlist:
Is the installer certified by a reputable body, such as the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)?
Can they provide references or case studies of similar installations?
Will they allow you to speak to other customers/clients who’ve had ASHPs installed by them to hear about their experience?
At the end of the day, investing in an air source heat pump is a significant decision that can offer long-term environmental and financial benefits. But it’s not a decision you should take lightly. By asking these key questions, you can make an informed choice that’s right for your home, your pocket and your lifestyle.
Needless to say, if you have an ASHP project in mind, we’d love to help you make the right decisions. Reach out and let’s organise a chat.