There’s been a lot of buzz about heat pumps in recent years. In this article, we’ll explore their benefits and disadvantages so you can make an informed decision.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is a sustainable alternative to a traditional boiler. They are usually installed externally, next to your house, and are used to harness the warmth from either the air or ground. This is used to raise the temperature of a chemical refrigerant contained within which then heats water for your heating system or hot water.
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The Benefits of Heat Pumps
If a heat pump is working correctly, your carbon footprint can be significantly lowered. Heat pumps use the ‘free’ thermal energy from the air or ground and therefore have the potential to save you money off your household bills in the long run. The amount saved will vary due to the type of heat pump installed, the climate of the area and whether it has been installed correctly.
Types of Heat Pumps
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) or Geothermal Heat Pumps
– GSHPs use the constant temperature of the earth below the surface to heat or cool a building. They circulate a refrigerant through a series of buried pipes, absorbing heat from the ground in winter and transferring heat back into the ground in summer.
– GSHPs generally require less maintenance than air source heat pumps since most of the system is located underground and is not exposed to outdoor elements.
– The upfront costs will usually be significantly higher than air source heat pumps.
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
– Air source heat pumps, like those offered at https://gsmlimited.com/services/air-source-heat-pumps/, extract heat from the outside air, even in cold temperatures, and transfer it indoors to heat your home or building. They work on the same principle as refrigerators but in reverse.
– These tend to work well in various climates but may require a backup heating source in colder regions.
– ASHPs are typically easier and less expensive to install than ground source heat pumps since they don’t require any extensive digging or underground piping.
