Heat Pumps | FAQs

Why would I want to use a Heat pump?
You are concerned about ever rising fuel costs and want to reduce your current fuel bills, looking for a more environmentally-friendly system to reduce your carbon footprint.

Is a heat pump only for providing energy for heating?
No some systems can also provide a cooling function for hot summer days

What are the environmental benefits?
A heat pump only uses renewable energy from the ground or air, so you can do your bit for the environment by not using fossil fuels.  There are no flues or ventilation units required to pump hot air out into the environment either.

Will a Ground Source Heat Pump look untidy in my garden?
No, the only part of GSHP in the garden are the collector pipes once these are installed and the trench is back filled they are invisible.

Aren’t they really complicated to use?
No, you need a qualified installer to install and commission the system for you to make sure it operates efficiently, but once this is done the units all have user friendly displays, and you can always give us a call if you get stuck.

What is Coefficient of Performance (CoP)?
This is the method of measuring how effective your heat pump is, for example if your heat pump had a coefficiency of 3 you would be getting 3 kilowatts of warm water energy out of the system for every 1 kilowatt used to power it.  The warm water is usually around 35-55^oC making it perfect for partnering with Underfloor heating, and Low Surface Radiator (LST) Systems.

Can I use other energy sources with a heat pump?
Yes you can, some of the systems we offer allow you to connect to a standard condensing boiler to supplement the heat pump if required.  Other renewable energy sources such as solar collectors can also be used in conjunction with the Heat pump for domestic hot water requirements.

Do I need planning permission to install a heat pump?
It is unlikely planning permission will be required however we advice to check with your local planning authority before sighting any units externally.

How efficient is a heat pump compared to traditional heating systems?
Modern systems are very energy efficient. For each kilowatt of electricity used to run the heat pump 3-4 kilowatt of heat is delivered to the building. Bills for oil heated homes drop by about 60%, electrically heated homes by 75%.

Why fit an air source heat pump in preference to Ground Source heat pump?
Subject to the fabric of the building and the heating demand we will advice which is the most suitable heat source for your property

Can a heat pump supply hot water?
Yes, virtually all heat pumps are able to supply hot water via either an inbuilt high efficiency cylinder within the heat pump or a separate cylinder.

Can I use domestic electricity?
Yes a number of heat pumps have been designed to run on standard UK single-phase supply.

Can I fit a heat pump in an old property?
Yes but you will have to ensure the property is well insulated to reduce your heat loss in the building. Heat pump prices directly relate to their size so high heat loss means bigger unit which can add substantially to the cost of installation.

Can radiators be used with heat pumps?
Yes but traditional radiators will need to be larger, sized for the typical 45^oC to 50^oC water temperature. If your house is really well insulated they may be suitable but check how big they would have to be. We would recommend the installation of Low Surface Temperature Radiators (LST).

Can I use underfloor heating?
Yes heat pumps work perfectly with low temperature underfloor heating systems.

What if i haven’t got enough land?
You can either consider borehole drilling instead of ground loops or if this is not possible look at an air to water heat pump system.

Are these systems expensive?
The initial purchase cost of a heat pump system will be quite a lot more than conventional oil or gas systems. But the initial outlay is offset by lower running costs from day one, lower maintenance and low servicing requirements.